Question about what Linus tools

[Dragg0n]

I am very interested in what Linus uses for:

• Hardware testing (workbench, storage, tools)
• Software

 

I was quite inspired by his videos and want to open my own PC repair shop in a place that has none because its Rural and they think we don't own computers. So any info in regards to what software or tools to buy to better help me would be appreciated. There are videos where I see him having the motherboard in something that is not a normal case and tests there GPU or CPU. I don't even know what those are and if I can buy them or I have to make them. I haven't even seen such a case.

 

Last question I would like to ask is if I need some special pads or table to put the PC on to prevent it from doing a short circuit. 
Thank you in advance.

[minibois]

23 minutes ago, Dragg0n said:

I was quite inspired by his videos and want to open my own PC repair shop in a place that has none because its Rural and they think we don't own computers. So any info in regards to what software or tools to buy to better help me would be appreciated.

This video might be interesting, at least when it comes to the hardware side of things: 

The software side of things is not something that is explored in this video nor any one specific other video.

 

There are quite a few general programs that can be used, including (but not limited to):

General checking up:

- CPU-Z

- GPU-Z

- HWInfo64

- CrystalDiskInfo

 

Benchmarks (to check if performance lines up with expectations):

- 3DMark

- Cinebench

- CrystalDiskMark

 

Stresstests (to see how the computer acts (in terms of temperatures and others) during the 'worst case scenario):

- Aida64

- OCCT

- Furmark

 

Memtest falls somewhere inbetween a stresstest and 'general check up' program.

23 minutes ago, Dragg0n said:

There are videos where I see him having the motherboard in something that is not a normal case and tests there GPU or CPU. I don't even know what those are and if I can buy them or I have to make them. I haven't even seen such a case.

They use the Open Benchtable: https://openbenchtable.com/

There are of course other solutions too, including those made by Praxis for example: https://www.primochill.com/collections/wet-benches (JayzTwoCents often uses one of these)

Of course there are DIY solutions out there too:

23 minutes ago, Dragg0n said:

I would like to ask is if I need some special pads or table to put the PC on to prevent it from doing a short circuit. 

At LTT they typically use the modmat by Gamers Nexus.

The idea of the modmat (including similar pads by others) is that you have a mat that is connected something grounded (like the grounding prongs of an outlet), which makes sure any stray electricity (i.e. static electricity) is dissipated, instead of going into the items you're working with.

 

Any static free workbench (i.e. wood, cardboard, etc., but not metal) could be an alternative, if you have a grounding strap on your wrist/ankle (which serves the same purpose as a modmat; make sure the static electricity goes somewhere else).

 

You can make a post on the video suggestion thread for a video on this subject from LinusTechTips:

If you prefer, your post can be merged into that thread, or if you prefer to get more recommendations and thoughts from the community, this post could also be left open so others can leave their ideas for software/tools/etc. here too  

[Mark Kaine]

8 hours ago, minibois said:

The idea of the modmat (including similar pads by others) is that you have a mat that is connected something grounded (like the grounding prongs of an outlet), which makes sure any stray electricity (i.e. static electricity) is dissipated, instead of going into the items you're working with.

 

Any static free workbench (i.e. wood, cardboard, etc., but not metal) could be an alternative, if you have a grounding strap on your wrist/ankle (which serves the same purpose as a modmat; make sure the static electricity goes somewhere else).

Hah, that reminded me of my old job...  "pcb / smd soldering" basically (mostly prototypes, which I'm probably not even allowed to talk about in detail)

 

I'm not entirely sure these modmats etc are actually working as intended,  because we had them too, BUT  we also had to wear  "anti esd shoes" even when working with such anti esd mats... and this was non negotiable,  trust  me I tried... boss said the mats are basically worthless without the anti esd shoes... also the floor was also fully grounded btw,  because without that, the shoes wouldn't even work...!

 

Now I have no idea if they over did it with esd security, but it all seemed to make a lot of sense tbh  - like if there's an actual esd, and youre touching an esd critical item at that moment,  a mat won't make a difference, there *will* be a esd to the pcb / smd, etc.  So the idea was to completely eliminate any esd,  which, worked, as long you're wearing those shoes (they had tons of different models btw)

 

 

 

And in case someone "forgot" their shoes (oops) they had to wear one of these. 

 

(in their shoes lol)

 

 

By the by, I'm also completely convinced for normal pc handling/ repairs any such anti esd measures like wrist straps etc aren't needed or necessary at all,  it only makes sense for soldering etc as you're basically at very close proximity to the smds all the time,  and obviously have to actually touch them too, so there's at least a slight chance of damaging parts through esd,  but just building/ repairing a pc the chances for esd damage are astronomically small with some common sense like simply not to manhandle motherboards etc .

 

 

8 hours ago, Dragg0n said:

There are videos where I see him having the motherboard in something that is not a normal case and tests there GPU or CPU. I don't even know what those are and if I can buy them or I have to make them. I haven't even seen such a case.

Those are test benches you can buy.  Basically something that simply holds a motherboard, the idea is to be able to quickly change out cpus/ gpus etc and also eliminate any influence of air flow restrictions like a normal pc case would have. 

 

 

[Dragg0n]

On 4/8/2021 at 5:34 PM, minibois said:

If you prefer, your post can be merged into that thread, or if you prefer to get more recommendations and thoughts from the community, this post could also be left open so others can leave their ideas for software/tools/etc. here too

I will leave it here for the moment since I plan to update it based on how the company is doing. I don't plan on becoming too big but in the future when everything becomes stable and I become more known I will expand to fixing components themselves like CPU reballing, fixing phones and tablets entirely, fixing consoles, etc. Who knows maybe this post helps someone else as well that is in the same situation. 

 

But I do want to thank you for your time and all that info. I hope I will manage my idea of bring a tech shop in this town and get some satisfied customers.