Installed components into my case, now what?

[HunanMan]

I am a first time builder, and I have just installed all of my components into my case. I have also wired everything in what I think is the correct place. The problem is, my wire management looks kinda shitty and I am not really sure how to go through the whole boot process.

CM Storm Stryker (stock: 2 x 120mm front, 1 x 140mm back, 1 x 200mm top)...all hooked to stock fan controller
Corsair AX760
Intel Core i5 4670k
Hyper 212 EVO
ASUS Z87-A
Corsair Vengeance LP (2 x 4)
WD Green 2TB
Samsung 840 EVO 250GB
LG Blu-Ray
Windows 8 64-bit

Still waiting to get GPU on Black Friday. Looking for a EVGA GTX760 4GB or something close.
I just have some questions about what to do after everything is in place?

-Should I try to test everything now, or wait until my GPU is here?
-Should I focus on tidying up cables before running first POST? The side panels fit nice, but it just looks kinda shitty back there. Am I just being paranoid about the look of the back of the motherboard?
-My PSU came with SATA power cables with four connectors. I currently have one plugged into each of my 3 drives. Is it okay to use this single cable for all 3 drives, any power ramifications for doing so?
-All components are brand new, I just want to install Windows 8 on the SSD and everything else on the HDD. Is it really that simple? Do I just change the location of where I want things to save everytime? I would only use this PC for gaming and some school work.

Thank You for anyone who reads or responds. Any input is much appreciated

 

[smorizio]

right now your better off doing a burn in test before the gpu comes in. all you do with the gpu plug it in and install the drivers. dont fix up the wires now just unplug the data cable to the hard drive and boot the pc into the bios. go into the bios health screen and sit there for 20 min watch the cpu temps and voltages. if the cpu temp stays fine and the rig stays up. set the pc to boot from cd-rom and install windows onto the ssd. when done install the drivers for the mb and all of windows updates. then power down and unplug the pc from the wall let the mb drain and then reconnect the hard drive and use some cable tyewraps (automoto store or walmart).
clip the wires on back of the motherboard. make sure you put the video power cables through the back of the case and onto the front of the mb.
the back of the mb and case is the side not for show. make sure that none of the wires fall into the fans or are going to be cut from the case or case panel. with everything shipshape turn the pc back on..boot into windows and make sure the harddriveshows up. you may have to use windows disk management to give the hard drive a drive letter or format it. when the gpu comes in take power off the mb let it drain then connect the mb and boot. you may have to change the primany display in bios from auto to peg/pci .

 

[HunanMan]

Thanks a lot smorizio. I really appreciate the thorough answer. You answered 3/4, any opinions on the single SATA power cable connected to the 3 drives?

 

[smorizio]

all new power supplys are cabled that way. three hard drives dont pull as much power as a gpu does.

 

[HunanMan]

Nice thanks for giving me straight answers to all my questions. I'm currently in BIOS watching my cpu hold at 30C and 1.072V. Any suggestions for stress testing?

 

[smorizio]

prime95 is a good test just have hardware monitor open to watch your cpu temps. the stock cpu fans...dont cool as well as aftermarket. if the temps go over 70c stop the test. 80-90c will have the cpu or mb shutting off to protect it from an over heat.

 

[HunanMan]

I currently have the 212 EVO with one fan. Should I run Prime before installing OS or after everything is in and cables managed better? Sorry I'm not sure if you already answered this question with your first response. And should the side panels be off or on during the process

 

[smorizio]

after the cables and os are installed and the side panels are on. you want the case to heat up to it max.

 

[HunanMan]

Thanks a lot. I feel much more confident now that I have a better idea of what to do going forward. You were awesome at getting to the point of every question