Final look at build

[Brandonp2121]

I'm ready to start ordering parts for my build, and I just wanted a final check to make sure everything would work. You know the whole "Measure twice, cut once deal" haha. Here is what I have:

Case: Antec 300 Black Steel ATX Mid Tower
Video Card: XFX CORE Edition FX-777A-ZNF4 Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
PSU: Antec NEO ECO 400C 400W Continuous Power ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
RAM: Ripjaw Series 2x4 DDR3 1600
Motherboard: ASRock H77M LGA 1155 Intel H77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
CPU: Intel Core i5-3450 Ivy Bridge 3.1GHz (3.5GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2500 BX80637I53450

I was curious about a Windows 7 OS, should I get the retail version, or the OEM version?

 

[mocchan]

Alright, then! You're all good to go in that area!

 

[Brandonp2121]

I was planning on using the disc drive form this PC as well. That is SATA as well. Is that good to go?

 

[mocchan]

Yes, it is

Generally speaking, as long as you've never had any problems with your Case, DVD drive, or HDD, they can be reused.

(Depends on case, however. If it's from HP, Dell or any other OEM, I wouldn't recommend reusing it)

 

[Brandonp2121]

Alrighty, thank you! My video card is gonna fit in my tower, right?

This computer is a slimline, so I can't really resuse that, haha

 

[mocchan]

Yes, it will fit in the tower you have selected

 

[Brandonp2121]

Fantastic! Any advice on dealing ESD and not frying your components?

 

[mocchan]

Hmm a few pieces of advice, NEVER build on carpet. I suggest a place in the kitchen (if it's big enough) or ontop of your dining room table. Also try and avoid plastic, as they can give off static as well.

One thing I personally do whenever I build my computer - plug my PSU into the wall, and constantly touch it to discharge any static I may have. Or touch your PC case (I tend to not do this due to the fingerprints :lol: )

Basically touch any piece of metal to get rid of static be sure to do that before touching crucial components such as your CPU and Motherboard.

 

[Brandonp2121]

If I set up like a card table on carpet (since I wouldn't have to move my monitor) would that be alright? And what about those anti static wristbands?

 

[mocchan]

Those anti-static wristbands are a waste of money unless you live in an extremely dry area. I'm in the southeast so I'm not too concerned about static (almost 70-80% humidity year round). The same can be achieved if you do what I said in my last post touch a PSU that is plugged into the wall every so often, that will discharge all of the static built up on you.

What kind of table is a 'card table'? I'm sorry, I'm not very familiar with those. However, if that will allow your components to be off the carpet while building, yes that is fine. As long as it's not on the carpet itself, you won't run into any issues.

 

[mocchan]

I think you should be fine with it.

But in all honesty, I've built on carpet before (shame on me) and I didn't have a problem, so I would assume you should be fine with that card table

 

[Brandonp2121]

It's a table with metal legs, and I think the top is vinyl, not 100% sure about what its made of.

 

[Brandonp2121]

Alright, should the PSU be turned on, or just plugged in to the wall?

 

[mocchan]

Just plugged into the wall is enough

 

[Brandonp2121]

I think I have only one more question. If I have a paid anti virus installed on this computer, how can I transfer that to my new one?

 

[mocchan]

If you still have your product key from the virus software, you can try installing that on your new PC I haven't really done that before so I'm not too familiar with the process unfortunately.

 

[Brandonp2121]

Hmm, alright. I think the product key is laying around somewhere. You've been such a great help! I'm not as nervous as I was before!

 

[mocchan]

That's good to know! Glad to know you've gained some assurance in building your own rig!

 

[Brandonp2121]

Once I've installed the motherboard in the tower, do I have to worry about grounding myself still, or should I keep grounding throughout the whole process?

 

[mocchan]

Yes, keep grounding yourself out throughout the entire process! You don't want to take any risks

 

[Brandonp2121]

I guess that's true, thanks so much!

 

[mocchan]

You're very welcome

 

[Brandonp2121]

Best answer selected by Brandonp2121.