Checklists

Purpose

Provide preparation, installation, first boot, BIOS, Windows, driver, benchmark, handover, and maintenance checklists.

Use these checklists alongside the chapter instructions. Do not use them as a substitute for the step-by-step chapters when installing hardware for the first time.

How To Use

• Work from top to bottom.
• Mark an item complete only when it has been physically checked.
• Write down any failed item before continuing.
• Stop and resolve power, cooling, connector, or firmware uncertainty before first boot.
• Keep benchmark and maintenance results private if they include serial numbers, account names, or personal data.

Pre-Purchase Checklist

• CPU model is AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D.
• Motherboard model is Gigabyte B850 AORUS Elite WiFi7 rev. 1.x.
• Memory is G.SKILL Trident Z5 Neo RGB 32GB DDR5-6000 CL30 AMD EXPO F5-6000J3038F16GX2-TZ5NR.
• SSD is Samsung 990 PRO 2TB NVMe MZ-V9P2T0BW, not a SATA M.2 drive.
• GPU listing is the Gigabyte Radeon RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 16GB model.
• Case is Lian Li O11 Dynamic Mini V2 Flow, black Flow SKU O11DMIV2FX if matching the documented build.
• PSU is ASUS TUF Gaming 1000W Gold TUF-GAMING-1000G.
• Retailer listings match exact model numbers.
• Return windows and warranty terms are understood.
• Windows 11 Pro USB installer is already available.

Workspace Checklist

• Large, flat, clean table available.
• Good lighting available.
• Drinks and loose metal objects removed.
• Anti-static wrist strap available.
• Screw tray or labelled containers available.
• Full-size Phillips #2 screwdriver available.
• Precision screwdriver available.
• Flashlight or head torch available.
• Component manuals available.
• Phone or camera available for reference photos.

Parts Intake Checklist

• Outer shipping boxes inspected for damage.
• Component boxes inspected for damage.
• Exact component model numbers match the bill of materials.
• Motherboard socket cover is present and undamaged.
• Motherboard accessory pack is present.
• Case accessory box is present.
• PSU modular cable set is present.
• AIO AM5 mounting hardware is present.
• GPU power connector requirement is confirmed.
• Serial numbers and invoices are recorded privately.

Motherboard Prep

• Motherboard is on its cardboard box or another safe non-conductive surface.
• AM5 socket is inspected before CPU installation.
• Ryzen 7 7800X3D is aligned and installed without force.
• Socket cover stored.
• Samsung 990 PRO is installed in M2A_CPU.
• M.2 thermal pad film removed.
• M.2 heatsink is reinstalled.
• DDR5 memory is installed in A2 and B2.
• No screws or loose parts are under the motherboard.

Case Prep

• Panels removed and stored safely.
• ATX standoffs checked.
• No unused standoff under board area.
• PSU chamber accessible.
• Radiator area dry-fit planned.
• Front-panel cables identified.
• Included bottom and side fans are present.
• Top radiator bracket access is understood.
• Front I/O location is chosen for the final desk layout.

Power and Cooling

• PSU mounted.
• 24-pin ATX connected.
• CPU EPS connected before radiator final install.
• AIO cold-plate film removed.
• Pump/fan cable connected.
• AIO all-in-one cable is connected to CPU_FAN for the simple build path, or individual-control leads are labelled.
• Radiator fans clear of cables.
• GPU PCIe power connected.
• PSU modular cables are fully seated at the PSU end and component end.
• No cable touches fan blades.

Cable Routing Checklist

• 24-pin ATX cable has a gentle curve and no side-panel pressure.
• CPU EPS cable is routed before final radiator tightening.
• PCIe GPU power cable is not sharply bent at the GPU connector.
• Front-panel switch/LED cable reaches F_PANEL without tension.
• Front USB-A cable reaches the USB 3.x header without bending pins.
• Front USB-C cable is aligned before pressure is applied.
• HD audio cable is routed away from fan blades.
• Excess cable length is secured in the rear chamber.
• Rear panel closes without compressing cables aggressively.

First Boot

• Monitor connected to GPU.
• Keyboard connected.
• PSU switch on.
• Case power button works.
• BIOS opens.
• CPU detected.
• 32GB memory detected.
• SSD detected.
• Pump/fan readings visible.
• Debug LEDs do not remain stuck after memory training.
• No burning smell, scraping fan noise, or liquid leak is present.

BIOS

• Optimized defaults loaded if needed.
• UEFI boot mode confirmed.
• TPM/fTPM available.
• Secure Boot available for Windows 11.
• USB installer selected for Windows installation.
• EXPO left disabled until default boot is confirmed.
• Fan and pump headers are visible in monitoring.
• Connected cooler headers are set to PWM mode before fan tuning.

Windows and Drivers

• Windows 11 Pro installed to NVMe SSD.
• Windows activated or activation state known.
• Windows Update completed.
• Windows uses one main C: volume on the Samsung 990 PRO.
• SSD free-space target is understood.
• AMD chipset driver installed.
• Network driver working.
• Audio driver working.
• AMD Radeon driver installed.
• Device Manager has no unknown devices.
• Restore point or recovery plan exists before optional utilities.
• BitLocker remains off until Windows, drivers, Secure Boot, TPM, and recovery-key storage are stable.

Windows Optimisation Checklist

• Restore point exists before optional utilities are installed.
• Monitor resolution and refresh rate are correct.
• Game Mode is enabled.
• Startup apps are reviewed in Settings or Task Manager.
• Required security, audio, GPU, backup, and peripheral apps still start correctly.
• Windows Security remains enabled.
• Power mode is left at the default or changed with a recorded reason.
• HDR state is recorded if enabled.
• Privacy and notification settings are reviewed without breaking required apps.
• No debloat script, registry cleaner, game booster, or generic driver updater is installed.

SSD Storage Checklist

• Windows was installed to unallocated space on the Samsung 990 PRO.
• Windows-created system partitions were left intact.
• Main usable storage remains C:.
• Samsung Magician detects the SSD and reports health.
• Important files are backed up outside the SSD.
• Game library location is known.
• Capture and export archive plan is known.
• SSD free space is checked before large game installs.

Benchmark and Handover

• Benchmark preconditions checked.
• EXPO enabled and confirmed.
• Idle temperatures recorded.
• CPU load temperatures recorded.
• Memory stability check passed.
• SSD benchmark recorded.
• GPU benchmark recorded.
• Repeatable real game test recorded.
• Driver and BIOS versions recorded.
• Any abnormal result is investigated before treating the build as complete.
• Final photos are taken for private maintenance reference.

Maintenance

• Weekly first-month readings completed after the build.
• Dust filters checked monthly.
• Temperatures compared with baseline.
• Fan noise checked for new vibration or scraping.
• SSD free space checked.
• Drivers reviewed when troubleshooting or before major games.
• BIOS updated only for a documented reason.
• Cable strain checked after moving the case.
• Maintenance action recorded.
• Logs do not include serial numbers, licence keys, account names, or invoice details.

Optional BitLocker Checklist

• BitLocker decision is recorded privately.
• Important files are backed up before encryption.
• Recovery key is stored outside the PC.
• Recovery key can be retrieved from another device.
• BitLocker state is checked before BIOS, TPM, Secure Boot, or motherboard changes.
• Recovery key, recovery ID, and screenshots are kept private.

Monthly Maintenance Log Template

Date/time	Room temp if known	Dust/filter state	Idle CPU/GPU/SSD temps	Fan noise	SSD free space	Action taken	Next check

Driver And Firmware Change Log Template

Date/time	Item changed	Previous version	New version	Source	Reason	Result	Rollback note

Hardware Change Log Template

Date/time	Change	Parts affected	Compatibility checked	Cables touched	Baseline repeated	Result	Notes

Fault Investigation Log Template

Date/time	Symptom	Recent change	Troubleshooting tree used	Action taken	Result	Follow-up

Benchmark Baseline Log Template

Date/time	Room temp	BIOS	Chipset driver	Radeon driver	EXPO	Test	Settings	Result	CPU temp	GPU temp	SSD temp	Notes