Looking for installation advice. OS/Motherboard+CPU.

So I am getting a new motherboard and cpu in a few days, going from a i5-7500 to a Ryzen 7 3700x, and when I go to format and install windows 10 64 bit home edition, should I disconnect my non-os SSD till the OS is installed and updated? The OS is going on a SSD, while my storage drive is a normal mechanical HDD. Or is it safe to j ust hook them both up before I do it?

Also for mounting the cpu, should I mount it to the motherboard BEFORE I put the motherboard into the tower? or should I mount the motherboard first in the tower then install the cpu+heatsink? I was going to place the motherboard on top of the box it comes in and mount the cpu/heatsink before putting it in the tower, but what is best do you think?

As for windows version number it doesn't matter for this post, as it'll be a fresh install and I do not remember exactly what version is on the USB drive I will be using to install it.

There is no need to disconnect HDDs Windows 10 will install all updates to drive you have installed on.

You will have more space to install CPU and heatsink before connecting motherboard.

Berton said:

First, have only the intended OS/Boot drive connected. Second, practice safe computing, anti-static protection as it can literally destroy electronics. Third, use the material it came in between the board and the box. Fourth, CPU mounting your choice, use the paste by placing a glob in the center of the CPU then mount the heatsink which will spread the paste to eliminate any voids. Fifth, check the standoff screws, not all boards have the same spacing but most custom cases with have several layouts/ways to mount the board, OEM cases may not. OEM cases may have different ways of connecting front panel devices than customs.

My experience comes from building computers in a shop starting back in '94.

Should I let windows do its updates first then shut down/unhook pc to plug the storage hdd in? I also have a dvd-drive, I assume I can switch drive letter assignments in bios/win10? as I want the storage drive to be D, while the OS drive will of course be C as it usually is. I'll probably have the SATA cable already plugged into the motherboard for the storage drive, so I just have to open the side up to plug it in, instead of disconnect the entire tower.

I have installed Windows with the data drives connected, and disconnected. I have never had a problem either way. Maybe I was just lucky. If you wish to play it safe, don't connect the HDD until Windows has been installed on the SSD.

I have no idea whether it's necessary, but I'd disconnect both the power and data cables from the HDD.

You needn't wait for all updates to be installed to reconnect the HDD. However, I'd recommend preparing a USB drive with the latest downloadable Win10 version before proceeding. It'll save time overall.

When it is convenient to install the heatsink depends on the type. When I was using large air coolers, it was usually easiest to do it outside the case. Lately I've been using AIO water coolers, which usually must be installed with the motherboard in the case.

The application of thermal compund depends on its viscosity. I've been using some fairly thick stuff, and I buttered the CPU heat spreader (the metal cap on the CPU) with a little plastic tool supplied with the thermal paste. One warning: some pastes (like Artc MX-4) are pretty adhesive. When I was changing the heatsink on a Ryzen 7 2700X, I was incautious. The CPU was ripped out of its socket, hopelessly damaging some pins. Bye-bye $300 CPU. If I'd known, I could have carefully twisted the HS off. I will never use the MX-4 again, just to be safe. Others may never have an issue with it; Arctic is a respected brand.

Anti-static precautions are a good idea. I really should start applying them more rigorously.

Full disclosure: I'm a rank amateur. I have been assembling my desktop machines since 1997. I tend to update every couple of years, which means that I haven't done a large number of PCs, in total.