Should I build my PC as I receive parts, or wait to do it all at once?

[abbidon]

This is my first build (woot woot!) as well as my first time on this forum, so I'm sorry if I come across as uneducated/ask something that's already been answered without realizing. So, pretty straightforward. I already have my mobo, ram, and CPU all put together since they were given to me used. This week, I get my CPU cooler, case, SATA cables, and wrist strap, then next week the graphics card and hard drive, and sometime in 1-3 weeks my PSU. Should I just put the computer together as I receive parts, or wait until I have everything all together to get started? And since I have some of those parts already without their boxes to keep them safe, is there anything I should know about protecting them or is it ok if I leave them on my desk far away from metal? Thanks so much for you time, and again I'm sorry if I'm being noobish.

 

[clutchc]

It depends on how long you plan on dragging it out. Remember, there is usually a very small window (30 days?) on returns should something be DOA or defective. As soon as you have enough of the parts to assemble the minimum build, I would do it (and install the OS) to be able to verify all works as it should.

 

[geofelt]

MY build process:

Before anything, while waiting for your parts to be delivered, download
and read, cover to cover your case and motherboard manual.
Buy a #2 magnetic tip phillips screwdriver.

1. I assemble all the parts outside of the case.
That lets me test them for functuonality easily.
A wood table or cardboard is fine.
2. Plug in only the necessary parts at first. Ram, cpu, cooler, psu.
Do not force anything. Parts fit only one way.
Attach a monitor to the integrated motherboard adapter.
3. If your motherboard does not have a PWR button, momentarily touch the two pwr front panel pins
4. Repeatedly hit F2 or DEL, and that should get you into the bios display.
5. Boot from a cd or usb stick with memtest86+ on it. memtest will exercise your ram and cpu functionality.
6. Install windows.
7. Install the motherboard cd drivers. Particularly the lan drivers so you can access the internet.
Do not select the easy install option, or you will get a bunch of utilities and trialware that you don't want. Drivers only.
7. Connect to the internet and install an antivirus program. Microsoft security essentials is free, easy, and unobtrusive.
8. Install your graphics card and driver.
You will need to remove the graphics card later to install your motherboard in the case.
Make a note of how the graphics card latches into the pcie slot.

9. Update windows to currency.
10. Only now do I take apart what I need to and install it in the case.
11. Now is the time to reinstall your graphics card.