Knowledge dump

[callumggibson]

So I'm just going to post what I've either experienced or heard online and in forums. Feel free to help me add to it or to correct it!

 

Computer Building Tips (Subjective of course)

 

Check IO plate sits fine on motherboard out of case
Use static pressure fans as intakes (airflow as exhaust)
Use slightly positive air pressure
Always use air cooling (unless space restricted)
Always get a silent case (to stop coil whine or similar electrical noise, since it’s not fixable (usually!)
Always get a good PSU (Expanded later... )
Never get a blower style GPU (unless space restricted)
Always get a case with hard drive grommets
MICROATX is a thing (same goes for ITX, but temps may be higher there)
Always get a good case
Unless you're a renderer or frequent video encoder, overclocking is overrated
A third party fan (PWM) replacement on a stock cooler usually does the job (for under 65w)
Arctic fans are usually the best value for money
7200rpm drives are overrated (unless for gaming or OS drives)
Cable management isn't necessary, it just looks pretty
Don’t mix PSU cables from different models/makes.

RGB is overrated (Fight me!)
Overclocking your monitor is very much worth it (if only 60hz)
Unless on AMD, ram speeds aren’t a huge deal
Unless your SSD is throttling, don't cool it
Hard drive suspension is a thing
Steel is better than aluminium
Always get non-conductive thermal paste, and less is more
When cleaning a CPU, wipe from the edge to the centre (Paste can go over edges)
Isopropyl alcohol does the job, no silly Arctic Clean
Dust will become conductive after enough build up (use protection, use a filter)
Make sure motherboard standoffs are secure
Silent cases can work, but too much airflow restriction will negate any silence (look for thicc front vents)
If you're motherboard supports DC fan control, 3 pin fans can be controlled, meaning that "crap" stock fans can be quiet
Divide your warranty period by price, that's your price per year of ownership, more expensive power supplies are a better investment in the long run. More so with the higher energy savings of a higher end model.

[Mira Yurizaki]

Are you going do detailed posts on all of these subjects?

[callumggibson]

Just now, Mira Yurizaki said:

Are you going do detailed posts on all of these subjects?

Depends. Wanted to keep it short and sweet. I guess I could.

[Fasauceome]

A lot of these tips are kind of crap

5 minutes ago, callumggibson said:

Use static pressure fans as intakes (airflow as exhaust)

Nope, use static pressure when pushing air against some kind of surface like a filter. Sometimes it would make no sense to use airflow as exhaust.

 

6 minutes ago, callumggibson said:

Use slightly positive air pressure

Why? A more important tip is "don't have conflicting airflow directions to avoid turbulence." Slightly negative or positive pressure are both equally effective.

 

7 minutes ago, callumggibson said:

Always use air cooling

No

 

7 minutes ago, callumggibson said:

Always get a silent case

No

 

7 minutes ago, callumggibson said:

Cable management isn't necessary

For the individual, but if you're selling a PC you ought not leave the spaghetti.

 

8 minutes ago, callumggibson said:

Steel is better than aluminium

Not it's not, it's heavier and more expensive. Can be nice, can be not.

 

I could go on, but these are either oversimplified or just wrong 

[callumggibson]

4 minutes ago, fasauceome said:

 

Nope, use static pressure when pushing air against some kind of surface like a filter. Sometimes it would make no sense to use airflow as exhaust.

I believe static pressure fans can move air through gaps better e.g. vents.

4 minutes ago, fasauceome said:

 

Why? A more important tip is "don't have conflicting airflow directions to avoid turbulence." Slightly negative or positive pressure are both equally effective.

Positive air pressure means no dust will enter from unfiltered entraces. Check on Linus' 1 year case dust experiment.

4 minutes ago, fasauceome said:

 

No

Watercooling is more expensive - introduces another point of failure - can leak - fluids need replaced - gets gummed up. I could go on.

4 minutes ago, fasauceome said:

 

No

You may get a GPU with coil whine (like I do) and having a silent case means it doesn't bother me.

4 minutes ago, fasauceome said:

 

For the individual, but if you're selling a PC you ought not leave the spaghetti.

Sure sure but think who's buying it. Will they care?

4 minutes ago, fasauceome said:

 

Not it's not, it's heavier and more expensive. Can be nice, can be not.

It's denser than aluminium meaning that vibrations have a harder time to resonate.

4 minutes ago, fasauceome said:

 

I could go on, but these are either oversimplified or just wrong 

Not wrong just very subjective

[Fasauceome]

3 minutes ago, callumggibson said:

Not wrong just very subjective

I guess but then it's more of a taste dump than a knowledge dump

[ThePD]

I don't understand how opinions are 'tips'.

Quote

RGB is overrated (Fight me!)

How is this a tip?

[callumggibson]

Just now, ThePD said:

I don't understand how opinions are 'tips'.

How is this a tip? 

Good point. I guess I have the beginner in mind. RGB adds no performance but who knows what someone may think. I'll change it to "RGB only look's pretty"

[ThePD]

1 minute ago, callumggibson said:

Good point. I guess I have the beginner in mind. RGB adds no performance but who knows what someone may think. I'll change it to "RGB only look's pretty"

Quote

7200rpm drives are overrated (unless for gaming or OS drives)

This one certainly effects performance.

[Lurick]

Overclocking gets my 7900X up to 4.7GHz from 3.3GHz stock, not sure how that free performance is overrated =/

Should a brand new builder focus on that? No

Should it be ignored? No

[callumggibson]

Just now, ThePD said:

This one certainly effects performance.

For gaming and OS yeah of course. 7200rpm introduces more vibration - more noise - more power.

[ThePD]

I am starting to get some Verge vibes here.

[Fasauceome]

4 minutes ago, callumggibson said:

Good point. I guess I have the beginner in mind. RGB adds no performance but who knows what someone may think. I'll change it to "RGB only look's pretty"

But silence adds no performance either, and usually takes it away. Still very emphasized here 

[callumggibson]

3 minutes ago, Lurick said:

Overclocking gets my 7900X up to 4.7GHz from 3.3GHz stock, not sure how that free performance is overrated =/

Should a brand new builder focus on that? No

Should it be ignored? No

 

[callumggibson]

1 minute ago, fasauceome said:

But silence adds no performance either, and usually takes it away. Still very emphasized here 

Silence cases don't have to mean bad temps/airflow. Just get one's with nice thicc vents.

[callumggibson]

5 minutes ago, ThePD said:

I am starting to get some Verge vibes here.

That burn's more than you realise. Again everything is subjective.

[Fasauceome]

Just now, callumggibson said:

Silence cases don't have to mean bad temps/airflow. Just get one's with nice thicc vents.

You would still have to adjust fan speeds, but imo stock performance for msot fans both CPU and GPU are very quiet. I've got my system whining at me with 6 case fans, my GPU blower, and both CPU cooling fans, but I bet it stays far cooler than your average quiet case.

[callumggibson]

6 minutes ago, fasauceome said:

You would still have to adjust fan speeds, but imo stock performance for msot fans both CPU and GPU are very quiet. I've got my system whining at me with 6 case fans, my GPU blower, and both CPU cooling fans, but I bet it stays far cooler than your average quiet case.

I bet it does! But how many people really want all that extra noise for temps that they might not even end up caring or knowing about. Sure I'd go and get the RPM's right up there when stressed or gaming but once you're consuming media or idling I think silence would end up more appreciated than temps.

[mxk]

Just now, callumggibson said:

1. I believe static pressure fans can move air through gaps better e.g. vents.

Positive air pressure means no dust will enter from unfiltered entraces. Check on Linus' 1 year case dust experiment.

2. Watercooling is more expensive - introduces another point of failure - can leak - fluids need replaced - gets gummed up. I could go on.

3. You may get a GPU with coil whine (like I do) and having a silent case means it doesn't bother me.

4. Sure sure but think who's buying it. Will they care?

It's denser than aluminium meaning that vibrations have a harder time to resonate.

Not wrong just very subjective

1. Being hypothetical when it comes to making a bold statement probably isn't the best idea.

 

2. Water cooling is expensive, but when looking at raw performance and ignoring noise, the best air coolers don't surpass 240mm AIO's. When you refer to fluid replacement, gumming, those things happen more to custom loops. Jayztwocents talked about how AIO's, despite having different metals, use different things in the fluid that combat chemical reactions quite well. By the time the AIO gums up, you'll probably have a new PC. Leaking seems to be pretty rare (from what I've read), unless there is a design flaw or the AIO you get is a lemon. EK also offers budget custom loop kits. The cheapest kit is $100 which is AIO price.

 

3. Just because you don't like coil whine doesn't mean other people care. 

 

4. As for cable management, you're right, some people won't care, but there are people who are new to PC's who are getting into it that want to make everything look nice because it's something they saw on the web. Cable management is also good when you want to be able swap parts out easily down the line. My brother and dad didn't cable manage my brother and I's PC when they built it. When I had to swap the PSU out for a new one, it was a pain because the lack of organization.

 

 

[mxk]

7 minutes ago, callumggibson said:

I bet it does! But how many people really want all that extra noise for temps that they might not even end up caring or knowing about. Sure I'd go and get the RPM's right up there when stressed or gaming but once you're consuming media or idling I think silence would end up more appreciated than temps.

Have you even seen the Gamers Nexus video when the compare air flow and silence? Because the fans didn't have to work really hard in the airflow cases, they could run at lower RPMs, meaning they were quieter. The temps were great, too. The temps in the be quiet! cases were pretty ass because they were being choked.

[Fasauceome]

4 minutes ago, mxk. said:

As for cable management, you're right, some people won't care, but there are people who are new to PC's who are getting into it that want to make everything look nice because it's something they saw on the web. Cable management is also good when you want to be able swap parts out easily down the line. My brother and dad didn't cable manage my brother and I's PC when they built it. When I had to swap the PSU out for a new one, it was a pain because the lack of organization

Not cable managing is akin to getting drunk

 

"This is a problem for future me"

[Tristerin]

This reads like an opinion piece - not bad opinions just not as subjective as you have it down.

[callumggibson]

2 minutes ago, mxk. said:

1. Being hypothetical when it comes to making a bold statement probably isn't the best idea.

  

2. Water cooling is expensive, but when looking at raw performance and ignoring noise, the best air coolers don't surpass 240mm AIO's. When you refer to fluid replacement, gumming, those things happen more to custom loops. Jayztwocents talked about how AIO's, despite having different metals, use different things in the fluid that combat chemical reactions quite well. By the time the AIO gums up, you'll probably have a new PC. Leaking seems to be pretty rare (from what I've read), unless there is a design flaw or the AIO you get is a lemon. EK also offers budget custom loop kits. The cheapest kit is $100 which is AIO price.

 

3. Just because you don't like coil whine doesn't mean other people care. 

 

4. As for cable management, you're right, some people won't care, but there are people who are new to PC's who are getting into it that want to make everything look nice because it's something they saw on the web. Cable management is also good when you want to be able swap parts out easily down the line. My brother and dad didn't cable manage my brother and I's PC when they built it. When I had to swap the PSU out for a new one, it was a pain because the lack of organization.

 

 

1. What can I say, you got me on the run. I've heard Linus in the past say so, I just can't remember what video.

2. Yes I saw that video, and yes while you are very correct on many points, with a air cooler, the only point of failure is the fan. Most fans should last a very long time. With an AIO, the whole unit will need RMA'd for pump replacement. AIO's can look much cleaner and most efficient in smaller spaces, and easier to install.

3. Sure. Those who do will be thankful.

4. Yep, I'd agree, but again I only said neccessary.

[callumggibson]

3 minutes ago, mxk. said:

Have you even seen the Gamers Nexus video when the compare air flow and silence? Because the fans didn't have to work really hard in the airflow cases, they could run at lower RPMs, meaning they were quieter. The temps were great, too. The temps in the be quiet! cases were pretty ass because they were being choked.

Yep seen that video as well. Just trying to cover the whole coil whine thing. Trust me I'd love to use open air cases.

[callumggibson]

2 minutes ago, Tristerin said:

This reads like an opinion piece - not bad opinions just not as subjective as you have it down.

I can see that. I'm going to add detail's as to WHY this is a thing to try and tone down the "opinion" aspect of it.