I am working on my first build and I have a few questions:

1. How sturdy are today's processors? I was taking the CPU (Socket 775 Celeron D) out of the package and it dropped onto the table, from a height of about 8 inches or so. The protective cover was still on, and it did land on the static protection plastic sheet I had laying on the table. Is there anything to be concerned about? If it works on the first boot, then am I in the clear or is there a chance that it may fail later if damage was done? It sure seems PRETTY solid to me, but I have no idea what's going on on the inside.

2. The stock cooler has thermal compound on it, but it is in strips. I assume that this will melt from the heat and eventually cover the entire surface? Should I stick with the stock compound or should I remove it and apply something better? I am also a LITTLE concerened as I may have inadvertently touched the compound briefly with my palm.

3. I am having a hard time figuring out the little connectors on the mobo (front panel, etc) They are not "keyed" like other connectors so i don't know which direction to plug them in. I do notice a little arrow on one corner of the plug, but do not know what that means? Does direction matter on these plugs?

4. Since I am installing an SATA HD, do I still plug the CDROM DRIVE into the secondary IDE channel and LEAVE the primary channel open? The CDROM was OEM and did not come with any cables. Will any IDE cable work or does it have to be specifically for a CDROM drive?

5. The rear case fan has a large power connector that appears to plug straight into the power supply rather than the mobo. Is this correct?

That is all for now, but I am sure I will have more questions.

Thanks

PKMorning, I'll start this with "some" of my answers but others (more knowledgeable will be around soon, I'm sure).....

1. I have a Celeron too, You should be ok with the drop, don't worry.
2. Leave the stock strips on, that cpu will be fine with that unless you go overboard with over-clocking stuff...

3 "not real sure"
4. "same"

5. YES, plug to the psu directly (good-luck, it's so much better building your own and really builds up your ego!!! Congrats on you're first build ! !

3 things to remember:

1) Be careful, read all the instructions and take your time.
2) Be careful, read all the instructions and take your time.
3) See Above.

As to your questions...

1) There is no way to tell if a drop did any harm to the CPU other than hooking it up and getting it running. As to whether it will fail in 6 mos. or 5 years from now there is no answer to that either...
2) Regarding thermal strips vs. compound. There are PROBABLY thousands of discussions on the web about this vs. that out there that you could waste your time on ad naseum and arrive at no conclusion...my Rule of Thumb ? assemble it the way the manuf. shipped it there's usually a good reason.
3) See Above.
4) I would use IDE2 simply for the fact you might want to add HDD's down the road. 80 conducter IDE cables are fine for CD/DVD drives.
5) Yes.

Have Fun

p.s. It's really enjoyable when it all fires up and comes together...problem is 3 months later you start thinking about your 2nd build.