PC building - make it easier - article

[Intrafinesse]

https://www.pcgamer.com/pc-building-accessibility-nohandsnz/

 

This person is complaining about the difficulties in assembling your PC.

I built a PC for the first time last year.

I spent a lot of time watching utube videos and researching and asking questions.

The actual build took a couple of hours and was pretty easy and straightforward.

 

The problems I encountered were:

- didn't hook up the power to the graphics card correctly  (left off the 4 pin connector)

- didn't connect the motherboard - case wiring correctly (hey, this button doesn't reset the PC, lets see what i did wrong. Aha, wrong jumper pin connection)

 

I didn't think it was that hard to build, and I am not handy and had never done so before.

I don't think it's cost justified for a manufacturer to remake their components to make it easier.  It's not going to lead to more sales.

 

My question to all of you is:

If PC components were to be redesigned, for ease of use, what would you like to see?

[Grabhanem]

A standard for front-panel connectors like there is for USB and audio.

[sub68]

3 minutes ago, Grabhanem said:

A standard for front-panel connectors like there is for USB and audio.

oh my yes the pain of reusing OEM cases front panel connectors

taking off the block and figuring out the pins is a pain

[pythonmegapixel]

... how long before some snob comes on here and whinges that making something easier and more accessible is somehow a bad thing because they managed fine beforehand...

[Moonzy]

1 hour ago, Intrafinesse said:

If PC components were to be redesigned, for ease of use, what would you like to see?

- death to molex, or at least make pulling it apart less painful, maybe with retention mechanism rather than friction.

- standardise front panel IO connectors, make it into a block connector like front panel USB 2 or smth

- AMD CPU with a proper mechanism to prevent cooler from pulling it out from socket

- include ram clearance info for cpu cooler and motherboard compatibility

- pcie locks should be able to be unlocked without needing me to reach it between my cpu cooler and gpu backplate, or using a screw driver risking damaging the traces/SMD if i slip

- less friction on cpu 8pin, 24-pin, and pcie power pin, the friction makes it super hard to plug in all the way, esp 24 pin

- standardised RGB ecosystem, one type of header, one software

- IO shield fixed on motherboard, not separated

- manufacturer provide 3D model to websites like pcpartpicker so user can simulate building it in PCPP and have inteference detection system (preferably built-in in PCPP)

 

will update the list if i think of anymore

[sub68]

1 minute ago, pythonmegapixel said:

... how long before some snob comes on here and whinges that making something easier and more accessible is somehow a bad thing because they managed fine beforehand...

I say 10-20 min

[Intrafinesse]

1 minute ago, pythonmegapixel said:

... how long before some snob comes on here and whinges that making something easier and more accessible is somehow a bad thing because they managed fine beforehand...

I don't know, why not start your own thread and find out, rather than attempting to hijack this one?

This thread is for what you would like to see made easier.

[pythonmegapixel]

1 minute ago, Intrafinesse said:

I don't know, why not start your own thread and find out, rather than attempting to hijack this one?

This thread is for what you would like to see made easier.

It was a joke. Sorry if you were joking as well.

[sub68]

1 minute ago, Moonzy said:

IO shield fixed on motherboard, not separated

forgot about that

2 minutes ago, Moonzy said:

standardised RGB ecosystem, one type of header, one software

yes

[Tan3l6]

I'd like the cooling mount system to be standardized, though no luck ever getting to that.

I mean mounting holes and CPU height etc...

[pythonmegapixel]

As for what I would actually like to see improved: probably manufacturers making detailed information about their parts available to sites like PCPartPicker, to allow them to check things like dimensions of large coolers in cases that they couldn't before. It would make it a lot easier to plan for.

[CanuckFriedRice]

Im weird, I enjoy trouble shooting... Alot. so Id keep it the same. but I understand the barrier to entry for sure.  I agree with others with mechanical locking plugs and sockets rather than stiff frinction mounted molex connectors and the damnd 24 pic mobo connector that makes me feel like im going to push a hole through the PCB.  Compared to how things were before, building now has gotten way esier, especially with IHS protecting the dye, most of the issues I've encontred through my many many PC builds have been simple things like ram stick not pushed all the way in, or the fricken front pannel connectors being all buggered up (standardize front pannels!!!!).  Maybe for the ram reduce friction, and have a locking lever like the CPU socket. 

[Tan3l6]

Having some CPU-MoBo connection that isn't inherently horribly easy to ruin would be cool also.

LGA MoBo's are so easy to ruin pins, I have had 3 boards and already almost killed one.

I know it's either pins on CPU or MoBo, but I hope they will revolutionize the thing, though it is that you only need to install CPU on a mobo usually after a few years and it's not so crucial, but it's the weakest point in my opinion.

[Intrafinesse]

1 hour ago, CanuckFriedRice said:

Im weird, I enjoy trouble shooting... Alot. so Id keep it the same. but I understand the barrier to entry for sure.  I agree with others with mechanical locking plugs and sockets rather than stiff frinction mounted molex connectors and the damnd 24 pic mobo connector that makes me feel like im going to push a hole through the PCB.  Compared to how things were before, building now has gotten way esier, especially with IHS protecting the dye, most of the issues I've encontred through my many many PC builds have been simple things like ram stick not pushed all the way in, or the fricken front pannel connectors being all buggered up (standardize front pannels!!!!).  Maybe for the ram reduce friction, and have a locking lever like the CPU socket. 

The problem I have with trouble shooting anything is it can be open ended.

You have to redo everything, and search lots of things.  It can be so time consuming.

As opposed to "It doesn't book, the error says RAM mismatch, so I should reseat the RAM chips, or make sure the RAM chips are matched and in their correct bays.  There are only 4 slots"

 

(Maybe In 12+ years I'll build a new PC when my current PC is long in the tooth)