New pc build help

[ItsMeMatt]

Hi new guy here, I finally got some parts and I'm slowly starting to build it. 

Some random questions. I can provide pics if needed. 

I have a computer desk that is metal with a glass top. Is it possible to use it to build on top of while using a anti static strap. I don't have a mat available.  I am currently building on a hardwood floor grounded to a power supply plugged into an outlet but it's so uncomfortable. 

 

I'm new to M.2 drives and there's a pack of screws that came with the motherboard,  I'm guessing those are what I used to secure the drives to the board? I don't see any stand offs or anything.  

My motherboard is a asus rog strix b550-f gaming

My m.2 is WD black sn750 gen 3 . 500gb and a 1Tb 

 

Airflow questions,  I have an MSI Aio and a corsair icue 220t. I'm thinking about attaching the rad to the top of the case and putting fans under it. 

Is that the best for airflow?

 

Watching several videos about thermal paste. It looks like the line mentod is the best to use right?

[Raid Owl]

13 minutes ago, ItsMeMatt said:

Hi new guy here, I finally got some parts and I'm slowly starting to build it. 

Some random questions. I can provide pics if needed. 

I have a computer desk that is metal with a glass top. Is it possible to use it to build on top of while using a anti static strap. I don't have a mat available.  I am currently building on a hardwood floor grounded to a power supply plugged into an outlet but it's so uncomfortable. 

 

I'm new to M.2 drives and there's a pack of screws that came with the motherboard,  I'm guessing those are what I used to secure the drives to the board? I don't see any stand offs or anything.  

 

Airflow questions,  I have an MSI Aio and a corsair icue 220t. I'm thinking about attaching the rad to the top of the case and putting fans under it. 

Is that the best for airflow?

 

Watching several videos about thermal paste. It looks like the line mentod is the best to use right?

 

Hi there! In regards to your concerns about building on a metal desk with a glass top, you'll be perfectly fine as it is EXTREMELY difficult to actually damage your parts with static electricity (the glass wont conduct electricity anyway). For the M.2 drives, there should already be a standoff on your motherboard in the designated M.2 location (usually near the top pcie slot). You may have to move the standoff based on the size of your M.2 drive but probably not. You'll simply just insert the drive at an angle and then push down onto the standoff and secure it down with a TINY screw that probably came with your motherboard.

For airflow, its really hard to get wrong, honestly. Most people do intake in the front/bottom and exhaust out the top/back. Your idea of putting the aio up top with the fans underneath is fine. Just make sure those fans are oriented to exhaust air out of the case and not bring air in (assuming thats the flow pattern you want.)

Thermal paste is pretty straight forward...use a small pea-sized dot in the center or a small line of it you'll be fine. 

[ItsMeMatt]

3 hours ago, Raid Owl said:

 

Hi there! In regards to your concerns about building on a metal desk with a glass top, you'll be perfectly fine as it is EXTREMELY difficult to actually damage your parts with static electricity (the glass wont conduct electricity anyway). For the M.2 drives, there should already be a standoff on your motherboard in the designated M.2 location (usually near the top pcie slot). You may have to move the standoff based on the size of your M.2 drive but probably not. You'll simply just insert the drive at an angle and then push down onto the standoff and secure it down with a TINY screw that probably came with your motherboard.

For airflow, its really hard to get wrong, honestly. Most people do intake in the front/bottom and exhaust out the top/back. Your idea of putting the aio up top with the fans underneath is fine. Just make sure those fans are oriented to exhaust air out of the case and not bring air in (assuming thats the flow pattern you want.)

Thermal paste is pretty straight forward...use a small pea-sized dot in the center or a small line of it you'll be fine. 

I saw 4 sets of screws for what appears to be m.2 screws. Would the bigger ones be the stand offs that go between the board and drive? 

 

Edit:  What do i do about the 2 Asus plastic pieces i removed to get to the m.2? 

Edited September 30, 2021 by ItsMeMatt

[Raid Owl]

3 hours ago, ItsMeMatt said:

I saw 4 sets of screws for what appears to be m.2 screws. Would the bigger ones be the stand offs that go between the board and drive? 

 

Edit:  What do i do about the 2 Asus plastic pieces i removed to get to the m.2? 

Yes sometimes they include the standoffs separately, so if they fit then thats them. For the plastic pieces you removed, those will go back on top once you install the drive and act as cover/heatsink. Make sure you remove any plastic tape that may be covering any heatpads on the shroud you removed to get to the drive slot before reinstalling it. 

[ItsMeMatt]

Thanks , i found them and it took a while to get it attached. It is finally on the motherboard. 

 

Can i get some help or advice on my next issue. 

My case is a Corsair icue 220T rgb airflow atx mid tower smart case.  I'm trying to figure the best order to start attaching items to the case. 

I might have to remove the hard drive bays to get the Psu cables in? 

Should i attach the motherboard to the case, then the AIO while its in the case? 

Will there be enough space to properly hide the cables? 

I still have to connect everything in the case.