Alexb770

Just finished a new build and my PC can't connect despite it being on ethernet. I've tried downloading the LAN drivers for my motherboard from MSI's website, but I got an error code (code was a 103 if that matters) when trying to install them. Should I try the drivers from Intel's website instead? The motherboard I have is an MSI MPG Z790 Carbon Wifi and my CPU is a 13700K. The ethernet cable should almost certainly be fine. I was using it on my previous PC less than a week ago. EDIT: Just watched a Youtube tutorial from MSI where they loaded the LAN drivers during the Windows installation. Is this really necessary? They were doing it on Windows 11 for what it's worth, and I'm on Windows 10.

Alright, thank you. The cooler's been off the CPU for about a week now and the paste is visibly dried up, so I'll have to replace it. Does the alcohol need to be high concentration? Like in the 90% range?

Sorry to bump this a week later but I forgot to ask, does the paste need to be applied to the CPU or cooler? I know it's normally applied to the CPU, but I ask because the cooler came with pre-applied paste. Not sure if that changes anything and just want to be safe.

Alright, thanks! Figured putting them in a box wouldn't really matter, just wanted to make sure.

Just put together a new build but the motherboard doesn't work right and I need to RMA it. I made the short-sighted decision to throw away most of the parts' packaging and only have one open ESD wrap. Where is a good place to keep my parts until I find them a new motherboard? I have a marble countertop and wood coffee table available, but I'm still worried about static considering the parts are all pretty high end and expensive. Also side note, will I need to replace the thermal paste on my AIO's pump? I'll have to separate it from the CPU, and I imagine that'll take some of the paste with it.

Awesome, thanks. I'll go with the second option then. I'm wanting Windows on the new drive since it's faster than the 970 Evo

So, I'm building a new PC and want windows on the new SSD I got (SN770). I'd also like to take the 970 Evo from my old PC and add it to my new PC so I have two SSDs. The 970 Evo has windows 10 on it, and I'd like to erase all the data from it before installing it. I bought a new Windows 10 key for the new SN770, and I'm wondering if having also having windows on the 970 evo is going to pose any problems. Am I just overcomplicating this?

So assuming I got bad luck and my motherboard isn't up to date, how would I know if it's able to be flashed without the CPU? I'm assuming by just turning it on and seeing if it boots to the BIOS?

I've been told that getting a z690 mobo over a z790 is the play due to savings, but that I'll need to update my motherboard's BIOS to actually make it work. How exactly is this done? Do I need to have a compatible CPU to begin with? I'm assuming the 13700K I'm getting won't work out of the box. The board I specifically got was the Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Ultra.

I'll keep this in mind once I have everything built. Still waiting on the motherboard which will come in this weekend at the earliest, but once I have it up and running and I'll see how the temps are with all 6 intakes vs. just the 3 front panel fans on. In the event temps are better with just the 3 front fans, would I be able to run the 3 side panel fans at a very low RPM to still keep the visual aspect of them? Or would that still be creating the dead zone, and I'd need to disable/remove them altogether?

I also wondered if 3 side panel fans would really do much, but in the end I figured they wouldn't hurt and more importantly I thought it would look good aesthetically. I'm down to throw away a little money for some looks

Thanks, I'll go with this setup then!

I have a Corsair 5000D Airflow and I plan on filling out all 10 fan slots. The 3 top slots will be taken up by a 360mm AIO (corsair H150i), which leaves me room for 7 fans. The case has three 120mm slots on the side panel adjacent to the front panel, and I'm wondering if any of them should be outtake fans or if all 3 of those plus all 3 front panel slots should be intake fans, with the rear fan as my sole outtake fan. I'll have a 3080ti and 13700K inside this thing, by the way.

So I'm guessing the pins labeled "Gnd" (which I'm assuming means "ground") is supposed to be missing? I can't say I'm too comfortable with missing a pin though. Seems like it could stir up some issues considering my PC will be fairly high wattage, even though the PSU is a 1000W.

I was putting together my PC and noticed this PCIe plug was missing two of the gold things inside. Is this okay, or do I need to get a replacement? The PC being powered is fairly high end with a 3080ti and 13700K. Edit: Just looked through the other cables and out of my 7 of my PCIe 8 pin connectors, 2 of them aren't missing the gold part. Some of the other different cables are also missing them, so it's making me think this might be normal?