New Computer Build Tips

[ImNotARealGamer]

Greetings. So I’ve got a question for anyone who is willing to provide feedback/advice. I’m less than 16 years old, and I am building a PC for the first time, and I’m a bit nervous. I’ve watched a whole plethora of PC building videos, however, I would appreciate any tips that any of you might have. Thank you for your time.

 

Stay whelmed,

INARG

[drk]

If you have any experience using LEGO you are more than qualified to click in a few parts to make a computer.

[TheGlenlivet]

Lay out your tools and parts so that you are sure you have everything before you start.  

The most delicate part is the CPU/Motherboard mount.  Do that part with the motherboard horizontal, not vertical. 

That and the Thermal paste, if you have to apply it.

Put the cables on the PSU that you will need before you mount it to the case.  It's hard to get them installed if it's already in the case.

 

These days it's pretty straight forward.  You'll do fine.

 

 

[ImNotARealGamer]

Thanks guys. I just seriously hope that I don’t screw up with the motherboard somehow.

[Fakmykak]

Always read the motherboards manual.

[ImNotARealGamer]

If you guys don’t mind I’m going to post my future computer specs so that I can get a second opinion for the parts before I receive and assemble everything.

 

GPU: Sapphire Nito+ RX 580 8 GB

CPU: Intel Core i7 3770 (not k)

RAM: DDR3 Kingston HyperX 16 GB 1866 MHz

MOBO: Gigabyte GA-Z77-D3H ATX LGA1155

PSU: EVGA 600 W ATX 12V/EPS 80 Plus

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 2 TB

 

I know, I should probably have an SSD. They’re just expensive. Oh and for my chassis I have a ATX mid-tower.

 

[dizmo]

It's pretty hard to screw up. The hardest part is putting the CPU in the socket, and installing the cooler if you bought a cheap one.

 

41 minutes ago, drk said:

If you have any experience using LEGO you are more than qualified to click in a few parts to make a computer.

Exactly what I've been saying for years.

[xKyric]

17 minutes ago, ImNotARealGamer said:

If you guys don’t mind I’m going to post my future computer specs so that I can get a second opinion for the parts before I receive and assemble everything.

 

GPU: Sapphire Nito+ RX 580 8 GB

CPU: Intel Core i7 3770 (not k)

RAM: DDR3 Kingston HyperX 16 GB 1866 MHz

MOBO: Gigabyte GA-Z77-D3H ATX LGA1155

PSU: EVGA 600 W ATX 12V/EPS 80 Plus

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 2 TB

 

I know, I should probably have an SSD. They’re just expensive. Oh and for my chassis I have a ATX mid-tower.

 

Welcome to the forum! If I were you, I'd add an SSD to your rig. Depending where you live, they're fairly inexpensive and will have definite effect on the snappiness of your system. A 240GB drive will usually sell for $30 USD, and a 500GB drive hovers around the $45-$60 USD mark. 

[ImNotARealGamer]

 

34 minutes ago, xKyric said:

Welcome to the forum! If I were you, I'd add an SSD to your rig. Depending where you live, they're fairly inexpensive and will have definite effect on the snappiness of your system. A 240GB drive will usually sell for $30 USD, and a 500GB drive hovers around the $45-$60 USD mark. 

Thank you for the kind welcoming. I’ll definitely consider getting one. And I do plan on getting one at one point, I just don’t think I will now. I’m not sure though.

[ImNotARealGamer]

35 minutes ago, dizmo said:

It's pretty hard to screw up. The hardest part is putting the CPU in the socket, and installing the cooler if you bought a cheap one.

 

Exactly what I've been saying for years.

Yeah I’m worried about my cooler’s size to be honest. It’s a Gamemax Gamma 500-Rainbow. 

[dizmo]

4 minutes ago, ImNotARealGamer said:

Yeah I’m worried about my cooler’s size to be honest. It’s a Gamemax Gamma 500-Rainbow. 

You didn't check compatibility before you bought the parts?

[ImNotARealGamer]

No I did, however I’m just worried that the GPU will be in the way of the cooler. There’s not really a way to find that kind of stuff out right?

[Fakmykak]

4 minutes ago, ImNotARealGamer said:

No I did, however I’m just worried that the GPU will be in the way of the cooler. There’s not really a way to find that kind of stuff out right?

That cooler is about as small as you can get without getting into small form factor coolers. The GPU won't be in the way of the cooler.

[ImNotARealGamer]

Oh ok thanks, that eases my conscience.

[SpookyCitrus]

17 minutes ago, ImNotARealGamer said:

No I did, however I’m just worried that the GPU will be in the way of the cooler. There’s not really a way to find that kind of stuff out right?

If you put all the parts into a PCpartpicker.com list it will let you know if there are any clearance issues or incompatibilities with components.

[ImNotARealGamer]

Just now, SpookyCitrus said:

If you put all the parts into a PCpartpicker.com list it will let you know if there are any clearance issues or incompatibilities with components.

I did do that, but I didn’t know they could identify clearance issues as well.

[ImNotARealGamer]

Also, whilst installing the cooler which way do I want the fan facing?

[SpookyCitrus]

16 minutes ago, ImNotARealGamer said:

I did do that, but I didn’t know they could identify clearance issues as well.

Yes it will let you know in red if there are any incompatibilities with the parts including size and dimensions. If the case is too small, the GPU or cooler is too big etc.

[SpookyCitrus]

1 minute ago, ImNotARealGamer said:

Also, whilst installing the cooler which way do I want the fan facing?

You want it on the front side of the cooler blowing through it towards the rear of the case and exhaust fan.

[ImNotARealGamer]

15 minutes ago, SpookyCitrus said:

You want it on the front side of the cooler blowing through it towards the rear of the case and exhaust fan.

Alright thanks.

[ImNotARealGamer]

So... would you say that getting a used but “100% tested” mobo is a bad idea?

[xKyric]

1 hour ago, ImNotARealGamer said:

So... would you say that getting a used but “100% tested” mobo is a bad idea?

I'd only get it if there's some sort of return policy.  

[Euchre]

I see on the choice of mobo there's an mSATA slot. Not exactly an SSD, but if you get a smaller capacity that is big enough for at least installing Windows, it'll help in performance, vs having it all depend on a conventional hard drive. A $50 price point can get you 32-64gb of mSATA storage.

[ImNotARealGamer]

1 hour ago, xKyric said:

I'd only get it if there's some sort of return policy.  

Yeah there’s a return policy/warranty. I wouldn’t have gotten it if it didn’t 

[ImNotARealGamer]

57 minutes ago, Euchre said:

I see on the choice of mobo there's an mSATA slot. Not exactly an SSD, but if you get a smaller capacity that is big enough for at least installing Windows, it'll help in performance, vs having it all depend on a conventional hard drive. A $50 price point can get you 32-64gb of mSATA storage.

Ok cool. I’ll definitely look into it. So does that mean I can’t use SSD?