Custom 2019 i9-9900K Rig Install Steps

Here are the detailed instruction plan to build my custom gaming rig that I outlined day before the components arrived.  I tried to install iteratively testing as early as possible, trying not to screw in the motherboard to the case until everything is working.

1. Basic MOBO component install

• seat RAM  (check MSI manual for correct configuration for 2 seating config in dual channel)
• seat i9-9900k in socket
• seat 1st nvme drive- remove mounting screw, seat 1st m.2 nvme, put back screw

2. Cooling- add CPU Fan

First make sure the mounting fits as expected before you add thermal paste!

• mount the cooler frame to mobo
• determine mount direction, fins horizontal works best

When you are 100% satisfied, then proceed to:

• add thermal paste to CPU
• attach Noctua Fan in horizontal direction

3. Install MOBO flat onto horizontal case without screwing in standoffs in case I need to pop things out again.

4. Wire up MOBO power cable to PSU outside just to test boot.

5. Power up, install Windows 10 Pro

• install MSI drivers (downloaded to USB)
• Wired and Wifi check
• Audio  Check
• Bluetooth check
• Install browser

6. Install "Passmark Benchmark" and test resting and benchmarked CPU Thermals to be in normal range

7. Permanently Install MOBO/PSU

• Shutdown. Screw down motherboard to standoffs.
• Install PSU fan side down
• Rehook up cables, cable management

8. GPU test

• power down, seat 1080ti (don't screw in just yet)
• attach power cable
• restart, install 1080ti driver
• remove HDMI to GPU 
• run 3DMark Benchmark

9. Test VR

• Install Steam, ViveVR
• Test base VR setup

10. Install fast storage- Test Steam drive migration

• Install second m.2 nvme from laptop 
• Install Samsung 512 (old windows 7 drive)

11. Bethesda games/mods check 

• add second m.2 K drive, attach to steam
• Copy over user profiles/saves C:/
• Run Fallout 4 VR, Skyrim VR from Steam.
• Install Vortex, redeploy mods, launch from FOVR/TESVR  

12. Install Other Utilities

• 7zip
• Dropbox
• Java
• git
• Visual Studio

13. Install HDD drives

14. Migrate over rest of steam catalog from laptop 

(Above plan does not include OC testing or RAID setup.)