brand new first time windows 7 user

Elana, give this a look see: http://www.top-windows-tutorials.com/windows-7.html

Basics. Always start with the basics.  

I'd recommend Acronis True Image for back ups. It's so easy to use.

CCleaner is a must have too.

Looks like a very nice system. 

You have been in the forums enough to know that there are lots of pros and cons for every browser out there.  I use IE but the choice is up to you.  One thing I would suggest though is whatever browser you choose to use be careful with and about using browser addons and extra toolbars.  I'm sure there are some that are good but most problems folks have with browsers seem to go back to addons and toolbars.

Enjoy your new computer. 

me too.

nice setup...stay away from unknown porn sites and get a good antivirus

On the topic of backup software, the four major ones to consider are Norton Ghost (only included because it is one of the most prominent), Shadow Protect Desktop, Acronis True Image, and Paragon Hard Disc Manager. Backup software is very important, so it is very worthwhile to research it properly. Since if you ever need the backup it is likely too late to go back it must never fail; reliablity is the most important feature.

I use Paragon Hard Disc Manager, which has proven very reliable. However it is not for everyone as the User Interface is not as good as it could be.

As a note, in Windows 7 the built in Backup feature works well enough to consider for use as long as you do not have anything to valuable to loose. And it is picky about where you put the backups. (Or so I read when looking up backup software)

It's a killer configuration

+1 for Ccleaner

Avira Antivir is a good antivirus, too , and light for the CPU.

but the best antivirus is ....you !

Visit "Apps Central" https://forums.wincustomize.com/411705

Wide choice... free. 

@ fuzzy logic   yes ccleaner is on my list... good call, just failed to list it.  good reminder, thanks.

@wrigleys  how can i go to an 'unknown' porn site?  Would i not have to know about it to go there?  SMILE!!!  Actually, don't do porn, exept when i look at the doings in Washington DC.  Now thats obscene!  (Smile)   Seriously, never intentionally went to a porn site.  Must be a guy thing, cause i never had in interest in it.  But thanks for the friendly tickle.... 

@Philly 381  yes, I will switch to whatever version of pale moon that works with the PC, and I will browse from a user account that doesnt have administrator privlidges.  I never add the tool bars... to many hidden bundled' items in them.  You have a fav, and why?

@  Doc, the basics?    .... Ok .... back to school I go...... (sad look)  ....  (very sad look)  .... (rinse and repeat).

Thanks all.  BTW, meant to ask,

A) what about partitioning the 2TB drive?  IS there any advantage to, say into three partitions?

partition one> witcher 2 (and other games that when i finish, i uninstall),

partition two > Elemental, Fallen enchantress  (leaving space games on other PC - galciv -sword of the stars, etc)

partition three>  oblivion and skyrim? (which i play modded, and do some modding of my own)

and Does the standard windows 7 utility to create a boot disk on a cd work fine? 

I use IE as I said above with no toolbars or addons.  I think you will find that most if not all browsers will have the needed controls in their setup to cover your browsing and security issues.  I'm going to take it you will also us a firewall, either software or hardware.  That and good anti-virus and anti-malware software should keep you safe. 

Also what windoe mentioned in reply #7 is so true, "but the best antivirus is ....you !" 

Yes.

easeus todo backup if you want to keep background running apps to a minimum & lite..free as in no money

ultradefrag-set it & forget it only runs at boot up before OS starts..free 

minitool-for partitioning as well as easues..free 

bluescreen view-it's windows duh!..free

tera copy & rich copy 4..free tho tera does have a paid version as well 

treesize..free

7zip..free

ok there's a stack more most of which you most probably won't use & the ones i've listed as well ,rule of thumb web search for freebies

First off, for the non-boot disc if you are going to (or even if you are not going to) partition it then I would recommend converting it from a MBR disk to a GPT disk (if it is not all ready). It has better protection against corruption and in general deals better with having multiple partions.

As to if there are any benefits to partitioning... in theory there would be some, but I am not sure it is worth the bother of having multiple partitions. And whenever you transfer data between them it will slow things up much more than it speeds them up the rest of the time.

Both would be good, if the software one can have application based policies, as they have different strengths.

why did you choose a normal I7 960 over the sandybridge ? is a riddle to me but still a nice setup im just asking since the 2600k is cheaper and faster also it has unbelievable OC possibilitys with no limitations on the multiplier
Mhh tips for the start.
Install win7.. then i would update graphic drivers first update windows 7 to sp1 get a fanspeed controller for your graphic card just like MSi afterburner or expert tool
install antivirus software + anti malware solution
compression unpack unrar tool like winzip 7zip winrar up to you
vlc media player since it plays everything and doesnt take as long as the windows build in wmp
update java...enjoy

@rolocolor  made choice based on advice here and on another forum....(I thought it was a sandybridge...equivilent)   if i made a poor choice, it was my ignorance.... i still hope this rig will be upgradabe, and usable for 5 years...  OC=overclock?  I asked installer if both the chip and the mobo were unlocked... he said yes.  He said no problem overclocking this set up.  was i misunformed?  IS important to me, becuase, if the local guy mis informed me... then I would not be sending him any business in the future. 

@Gwenio1  guess I will skip the partitions on the big disk.  Firewall will be software, untill i do more research...   still installing win upgrades and defender as i write this.

@scorpNZ  thnaks for heads up on easeus, and tera copy... good th=o check out.  feel safer knowing some one (you) have already been there, and itds not a bugged site.

@all thnaks so much...  been feeling insecure about all this... helps... (smile)

no no your choice is still very good but the 2600k has a slight advantage and a diffrent architecture over the 960
You should be fine for that time with your setup games not heavily change in requirements these days and they wont in the near future so 3 years from now you (may) need to upgrade one thing and that would be the graphic card i used a 260gtx for long time and i could still play every game but since most games are DirectX 11 based these days i upgraded to a 560gtx like you and everything runs like hell.
You can OC the 960 but i might be wrong i think the multiplicator has a limit...will check real quick Edit: yeah it comes with a multiplicator of 24 and thats good also.