Building a computer for the first time - questions about case and power supply

Those fans are supposed to point down, broseph.

Also what Saka said: Motherboards come with their own I/O panels. The ones on the case pop out and then you just shove the new one in.

Oh, and when you buy a computer case try your damndest to get one with folded edges. Unfolded edges are SHARP, and cuts on the fingertips are rather painful.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

For cases, I personally recommend the Raidmax Smilodon series. They range from 70-120 bucks, so they're a bit pricey, but I've worked with them twice so far and they have been a complete DREAM. Edges are folded (god I'm way too focused on that), four optical drive bays, 4 fans pre-installed and space for a fifth, and most importantly: both sides open like a door. That makes installing the motherboard incredibly easy, since you don't have to get your fingers in cramped spaced as much. Just keep in mind that to mount the hard drive you have to get rails from a tool kit under the box the drives are mounted into.

Oh, and one last thing: When you DO install the motherboard, make sure you do it right. Your mileage may vary from case to case, but most come with a few mounting screws already installed. Just take them out and put them back in to align them with the holes in your motherboard, and make sure you use washers too.

There's nowhere I can't reach.