Hello Eric C.
I have gone through your querry and also the responses that are being generated on this blog. Some helpful, some critical, some over technical, etc. However, it still makes me wonder - to start with, what made you buy THIS computer? What is its purpose? Is this another high-end gizmo that one wants to flaunt around?
Please DO NOT get me wrong. Today, we are bombarded with the 'latest and the best' equipment by the vendors using their high pressure sales pitches to mesmerise users into 'want more'. Whether the purchase is really 'need based' or not, only the purchaser can justify. Else, it is a total waste of money. More so, today's high spec computers are obsolete tomorrow and the mental satisfaction of owning a 'grand' computer goes down the drain quickly. Many of the regular computing can be very effectively accomplished with the low power 'obselete' computers - this is NOT rocket science. If you do lots of 'number' crunching (including those like AutoCad and similar, Video and Sound Encoding,etc.), then a 'fast' computer is a must along with other supportive pheripherals.
Having said all these and that the Object d'Art has already been purchased, the FIRST thing that you need is an UPS that will support your equipment. This is your best insurance policy against power failure/outages which can bring your investment to a naught within seconds not to mention your unsaved hard work going out of the window. You NEED this protection. Next protection you need is a good "anti-virus" programme loaded - no more than one or else you will find these programmes fighting amongst each other at YOUR cost. This is on presumption that you will be surfing the net and /or do disc/drive swapping which are the vius 'carriers'. Next, remove all bloatware completely (incluiding its own specific *dll files, etc.) that you DO NOT need. Keep your system trim and supple - you will be surprised by the efficiency with this. Next, DO NOT 'upgrade' your resident programmes including drivers UNLESS you have a clear advantage in doing so. Once this initial exercise is performed and you are happy with its functioning - BACKUP. This can never be over-emphazied. Next, keep a bootable CD/Pendrive handly for emergency situation. This can help you in accessing your (unbootable) HDDs, if required for data retriival and/or maintenance.
Enviorment - Use your system in an airy dry place. Your 'system' box should also be kept in a strong and strudy place that is not prone to 'accidental' knocks. Have an extra pair of Keyboard/Mouse handy as replacement - these are the most used and abused items that wear off quickly (they do so when you really dont want). Here, it is better to use the cheap and 'disposable' Keyboard/mouse - you wont feel the pince while changing them. Lastly, use your equipment delicately and treat it like a baby - it will give you years of service unless you want to change it. Believe me, I still have my 'Spectrum', 'Commodore', 'Amstrad 512', 'Gateway 486', 'Compaq LTE', Tosh 4850' still in perfect working condition and I assemble my own System too - ground up using mix-n-match pheripherals.
Wow, quite a lecture for the uninitiated.
Good luck.

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