Advice for 1st time builders

[Thready]

What new advice would you give first time builders?

 

I have 2.

 

1) Don't overspend on your CPU. I talk a lot of people out of i7s and Ryzen 7s for gaming and regular desktop use. 

 

(Edit: After some discussion below I might change this recommendation)

 

2) Don't skimp and don't go overboard on a PSU. 

[Jurrunio]

4 minutes ago, Thready said:

Don't skimp and don't go overboard

just applies on everything doesn't it

 

Mine: Expect it to take a whole week, from parts on the table to the system actually usable.

[Thready]

1 minute ago, Jurrunio said:

just applies on everything doesn't it

 

Mine: Expect it to take a whole week, from parts on the table to the system actually usable.

Lol yeah true about skimping and going overboard. I like your suggestion. I would add to be patient because when we're waiting for systems it can take a while. 

[dgsddfgdfhgs]

always youtube for exact same parts completed builds - final look/ clearance /capability etc

 

and always get second best stuff for way cheaper

[Thready]

13 minutes ago, dgsddfgdfhgs said:

always youtube for exact same parts completed builds - final look/ clearance /capability etc

 

and always get second best stuff for way cheaper

Yes! And sometimes last gen is the best price/performance

[Drak3]

Go overkill if you can. No telling what the future will hold, and an R7 or i7 will outlast a same generation R5 or i5.

[Thready]

3 minutes ago, Drak3 said:

Go overkill if you can. No telling what the future will hold, and an R7 or i7 will outlast a same generation R5 or i5.

I have to disagree. There's no future proofing technology. 2 years down the road midrange stuff will outperform high end stuff now. 

[dgsddfgdfhgs]

18 minutes ago, Thready said:

I have to disagree. There's no future proofing technology. 2 years down the road midrange stuff will outperform high end stuff now. 

its pretty tricky here,  say rx570 is perfect for gaming, but people just get the rx580 anyway..

 

and never build a pc based on I want to play xxx games

[Gegger]

don't drop stuff, don't follow the verge

 

actually read/watch build guides, read your mobo manual, keep all packaging

 

beware of bottlenecks, and most importantly, screw with confidence

[dgsddfgdfhgs]

2 minutes ago, Gegger said:

don't drop stuff, don't follow the verge

 

actually read/watch build guides, read your mobo manual, keep all packaging

 

beware of bottlenecks, and most importantly, screw with confidence

that more than 1 yr ago, let it go mate, (still havent read anything from them since then)

[Gegger]

1 minute ago, dgsddfgdfhgs said:

that more than 1 yr ago, let it go mate, (still havent read anything from them since then)

that was a joke, ig i shoulda been clearer

[NineEyeRon]

1. Choose your monitor first

2. Decide what resolution and frame rates you are aiming for 

3. Pick the rest of your system specs.

[drk]

My advice:

1 - don't forget to put the i/o shield on before motherboard installation 

2 - don't sweat the build process because it's practically LEGO

3 - don't panic when your system doesn't turn on during the first boot. Just go to the back of your case an turn the PSU on

[dgsddfgdfhgs]

2 minutes ago, drk said:

1 - don't forget to put the i/o shield on before motherboard installation 

i still havent unpack io shield in the sealed pocket

[greenhorn]

Other things I would like to add:

When connecting cables somewhere, you never should apply much force. If it doesn't connect easily, something is likely facing the wrong way.

Take as much time as you need and if in doubt, research the information or ask for it (this forum is a good place for that). That being said, don't worry too much about making huge mistakes, much of the PC building process will become quite intuitive with time.

Test the build before spending too much time on cable management for example. On rare occasions, some parts can be dead on arrival. Once everything checks out, you can focus on the looks of the system.

Don't hesitate to ask for help in case you are encountering any problems or are unsure of how to proceed. Remember that every experienced PC builder has at one point done his/her first build and probably had to troubleshoot a system at one point or another.

[Ross Siggers]

8 hours ago, Thready said:

Don't overspend on your CPU. I talk a lot of people out of i7s and Ryzen 7s for gaming and regular desktop use

Preach. I see far too many people going for baller CPU's when they're just gaming, and won't really ever see the full potential of the chip.

I guess this could be interpreted as 'know your use case'

[jones177]

9 hours ago, Thready said:

What new advice would you give first time builders?

 

I have 2.

 

1) Don't overspend on your CPU. I talk a lot of people out of i7s and Ryzen 7s for gaming and regular desktop use. 

 

2) Don't skimp and don't go overboard on a PSU. 

The opposite.

 

The more you spend on a CPU the longer it will last.

 

A PSU is one component that can be future proofed if you get one that you think will fill your needs not on your currant build but your next one.

 

[Jae Tee]

actually read the instruction manual!!

[Thready]

Well it seems like we're divided on whether or not to spend a lot of money on a CPU. I see both sides.

 

My thinking is this: Most first time builders who I talk to are looking to game and to do basic desktop stuff, maybe some photo editing here and there.

 

Paying that much more for a CPU is not going to make it last years longer than the cheaper version in my experience and opinion. Maybe I'm wrong. Future proofing rarely works with technology.

 

Take for example a 6600k which I have, and a 6700k. I don't think the extra $150 for a 6700k makes it any more valuable 3 years down the line and I don't think its extra cost is helping it keep up with Ryzen. If I had a 6700k then I would still be looking to upgrade.

 

I mean, I see the logic but I have a hard time agreeing with it. 

 

 

[Drak3]

14 hours ago, Thready said:

2 years down the road midrange stuff will outperform high end stuff now. 

And?

2 years from now, low end stuff may outperform current mid end stuff.

 

But the thing is, current mid end stuff will last 2 years longer and it's cheaper (and easier) to buy one CPU and mainboard that'll last half a decade than it is to buy new every 2 years.

[NineEyeRon]

7 hours ago, drk said:

3 - don't panic when your system doesn't turn on during the first boot. Just go to the back of your case an turn the PSU on

I bet even De8auer still does this.

[Thready]

34 minutes ago, Drak3 said:

And?

2 years from now, low end stuff may outperform current mid end stuff.

 

But the thing is, current mid end stuff will last 2 years longer and it's cheaper (and easier) to buy one CPU and mainboard that'll last half a decade than it is to buy new every 2 years.

I think it heavily depends on what component and what your intended use will be. I would never suggest a 5 year old cpu for anything other than average desktop use. And you're talking about saving maybe a few hundred dollars in a 5 year span if you upgrade piece by piece like a lot of people do. I'm upgrading my mother board and cpu from a 6600k to a ryzen 3600 and I'm only spending $400 to do so and that will last me 3-4 years. I could go higher with ryzen and spend $200 more and have a cpu that will last 5 years... maybe... but that seems like a huge upfront cost for saving $100 or something down the line

[Drak3]

3 minutes ago, Thready said:

I could go higher with ryzen and spend $200 more and have a cpu that will last 5 years... maybe... but that seems like a huge upfront cost for saving $100 or something down the line

It'll last significantly longer than 5 years. Hell, most people on first or second Core i didn't feel the need to upgrade due to the CPU until recently.

[Thready]

16 minutes ago, Drak3 said:

It'll last significantly longer than 5 years. Hell, most people on first or second Core i didn't feel the need to upgrade due to the CPU until recently.

But did you save a respectable amount of money by buying high end initially and waiting for so long? I mean I know a CPU will last more than 5 years just doing desktop stuff but won't it start to become a bottleneck after a while for anything CPU heavy?

[Drak3]

1 hour ago, Thready said:

But did you save a respectable amount of money by buying high end initially and waiting for so long?

Yes. 

 

1 hour ago, Thready said:

won't it start to become a bottleneck after a while for anything CPU heavy?

After a long time, yes.