First Time Builder, experience, progress and questions.

Hey all!

My name is Alex Stockwell, and i'm working as a technical and non-technical artist in the video game industry. It's been years since i have had access to my own machine, so i've been relying on hardware offered by the school i went to (horrible hardware) and work, where I can't really keep anything i may make. So I decided to build my own with three functions and uses in mind:

1. To multitask large programs, such as game engines (Unreal Engine 4), alongside a 3d modeling suite (3dsMax), as well with photoshop and occasionally zbrush and a few others sometimes; at a high efficiency, framerate, and resolution.
2. To be able to compile code, edit video, and render graphics; quickly and efficiently.
3. To play games

So here is my build so far:

CASE: CM Storm Stryker Full Tower
MOBO: Asus Z97-AR
CPU: Intel i-5 4670k quad-core
GPU: Nvidia Geforce GTX-770
RAM: Corsair XMS3 8GB (2x4gb) 1333mhz DDR3
PSU: Corsair AX860w
HS/F: CoolerMaster Hyper 212 Evo
HDD: 1TB Western Digital Blue Series, 7200rpm SATA6
SDD: 120GB Samsung 840 Evo 2.5" SATA3
Optical Drive: Picking up at end of week (Recommendations welcome)

I don't know how anyone would rate this build, I've researched and shopped around for quite a bit and think this will handle my needs, but comments are always welcome. I've already purchased everything, but i'm always wanting to learn a bit more, so feel free to tell me how much of a shitty job i did, or if i did such a good job that it will cook breakfast for me when i wake up.

My experience so far, has been very FUN. I've begun my build, did an external test build and got the ASUS splash screen to pop up, everything sounded to be running smoothly, and then I shut it off and proceeded to install it into the case.

The only nerve racking part was applying the thermal paste and docking the Heatsink and Fan onto the CPU, mainly because I didn't want to damage the CPU, I was being super paranoid. It seems to me this is the most mysterious part of a build to beginners like myself, as the internet has sooooo many "what to do's" for thermal paste, "what not to do", "oh god you did what?" and "oh don't worry about it" articles, tips and tutorials about thermal paste and application. They can all sometimes contain conflicting info :/

Where I am at right now, and why i've stopped building to come here and ask some questions.

So right now, I have my MOBO, CPU, Heatsink/Fan, RAM, GPU, and PSU installed into the case. As far as what I have hooked up, I have two PCIE cables from my PSU going into my GPU. My 8pin CPU power plugged in, my 24pin power plugged in and that's it!

So why did I stop? Mainly placement of my HDD and SDD as well as some concerns about my thermal paste application. What I would like to ask: (This is mainly about placement, i'm not too worried in this department but thought i'd ask anyways)

- My CM Storm Stryker Case comes with 2 120mm fans that can be rotated with cages to point the front of the case, by default they are pointed to the left of the front of the case, on the side with the plexi-glass panel. Is the orientation of these fans more of a choice dictated by PC placement? Or would pulling straight from the front be more optimal in most circumstances?

- My 3.5" HDD can be installed in numerous places and orientations in my case, what would be most optimal? To install it low in the case or high in the case near the optical drive?

-My 2.5" SDD has to be installed, with what I have, into the rotatable fan cages I just mentioned above. With the fans pointing sideways as they are now, my SDD SATA and Power plugs point in a direction that would make cable routing, an annoyance. Should I just suck it up and rotate the fans so the SATA and power plugs point into the case instead of into a side panel? Also there is a place in the bottom of the case that the SSD can be installed, Would anyone recommend installing it there?

-Should I place my HDD and SSD far apart from each other or close to each other? Does it matter?

Now for what I'm really nervous about, and why I really stopped building for now:

THERMAL PASTE -__- <(whaaaaat?)

What I did is known as the Spead Method. The reason I did this is because the two pc building tutorials I watched both used this technique and I was just simply following suit. A small pea sized amount was applied, with a small plastic baggy around my finger tip I carefully spread the paste as evenly as I could around the cpu plate. Questions...

- From nervous fright, during my external test build, after installing my heatsink, i immediately took it off to see what happened with the paste, everything looked fine so i re installed it, and turned it on, my post test looked good, cpu started rising in temp, It was only up to 40c when I turned my mobo off and began installing into the case.

- How do I know if I did a good job with the thermal paste? Do I need to finish my build, turn the sucker on and run a stress test to check my core temps? if they are low I am good, if not, something is wrong is what i'm guessing?

- Would anyone suggest just redoing the paste? If so, Arctic Silver 5 sounds like what I should go with, high quality iso alcohol to clean with a non lint cloth. But should I clean the cpu while it's docked in the mobo? Or take the cpu out to clean?

SORRY FOR THE WALL OF TEXT EVERYBODY! It's just my first build and i'm so excited/nervous for it to live, I want to be thorough.

I really appreciate any helps with the build, comments, critiques, high fives, etc. I'll most likely have to come back later to ask about some help with BIOS :/

THANKS!

Alex