A few more questions:
- In terms of motherboards, I know dual M.2 is a thing I need to check for, but are there any other gotchas I should keep in mind?
- I hear thermal paste mentioned a bit, is that something I should buy separately, or will I be fine with whatever comes with the parts?
- Are there any types of parts that have a particularly high risk of being defective? Since I can't order everything at once anyway (well, I could, but I don't like using the debit card online), I'm wondering if there's anything I should specifically try to buy last in order to maximize the return window.
1) The things I would pay attention to when looking at a motherboard
- A few Z170 boards used DDR3. I really doubt that any Z370 boards will, but this would be the ultimate issue.
- Ports to connect displays to the iGPU. Not needed with a GPU, but in case you were testing and your testing monitor or TV only takes display port and HDMI, or DVI.
- Overclocking features and their software for fan control, RAM XMP, etc.
- Amount and type of usb ports in the back and for the front panel.
- Whether using the m.2 ports deactivates other ports, and if so which ones (usually SATA)
- Wifi on board or not, to know If I have to buy separate a wifi expansion card or a dongle.
- The number and placement of power pins for fans and pumps.
- In your case maybe a dedicated water pump header, but the one for the fans will work.
- That the Audio not badly rated for some reason.
- Gigabit Ethernet
Not deal breakers, but it would be nice:
- Bluetooth v4.0
- That it is not gaudy as fuck
- 4-pin RGB header
- Thunderbolt
2) Coolers that you buy new will come with thermal paste either already applied or in a container.
3) Motherboards. MSI on the cheaper end that just came out so there aren't even reviews yet.