Anybody answer these questions?

[jomnepo]

Okay, just for everybody to know, I haven't built any system in my entire life. I'm the guy who just buys a pre-built computer then play on it. But I'm close to graduating right now, and my wish to my parents for my Graduation Gift is a custom built PC. We'll buy the parts and such etc etc. I've watched a couple of tutorials in YouTube on how to build a computer, and it seems like its just a piece of cake to them. And that's what I'm fearing with, what if its really hard for me? Or something like that. I'm really scared of building it. 

 

So I have these set of questions that is making me think that I shouldn't build my own PC. That I'll fail on it and just waste the money spent on those hardware. 

 

Question 1: What if the PC didn't boot up? What should I do? 

Question 2: Does aftermarket CPU heatsink/cooler provide their own Thermal Compound or should I invest on a High quality Thermal                  Compound?

Question 3: Do all Power Supply come in a standard shape or size? Do they fit every single case?

Question 4: Do all Chassis come with motherboard standoffs? If not, where do I buy motherboard standoffs?

Question 5: Where do I connect the case fans to? The power supply or the motherboard?

[virusal19]

(1) If the PC doesn't boot up, don't panic, check through all the wires and make sure they are all correctly plugged in.

     (a Make sure all the necessary things are in place.

      (b Check De-Bug LED on motherboard.

       (c log onto LinusTechTips and ask for help (If all else fails)

 

(2) I believe all aftermarket CPU heatsinks/cooler either already have thermal paste pre-applied or they are provided in the box. Most thermal paste provided are already high quality, so no need to invest in any... yet. The time will come when you will have to replace the thermal paste.

 

(3) Most power supply should come in a ATX form factor, these are the standard form factor of a PSU that most people use. ATX PSU's will fit in almost every case (They will fit in all Mid-Tower ATX and Full-Tower ATX) and some m-ATX towers. (unless specified) 

 

(4) Yes, all cases does provide motherboard standoffs.

 

(5) I prefer to connect case fans to the motherboard because this allows you to monitor and change the fan speeds. However, if you do find yourself limited by the amount of headers there are on the motherboard, by all means, plug them into your PSU.

 

I hope this answers your questions.   

[WoodenMarker]

(2) You can look up the cooler to be sure.

 

(3) They come is all sorts of sizes but a they come with form factors just like cases. Just look in the descriptions of each product.

 

(4) They all should. You can get some standoffs at newegg.com or any tech store.

 

(5) The case fans usually connect to 4 pin cables off the power supply.

[jomnepo]

Also, I forgot to add this last question, what should I do if the connector of the case fans doesn't match the pin headers in the motherboard? Or they only come in 3 pins? Yeah. I'm this noob. When I'm picking parts in the internet, there's like 4 pin and 3 pins and such.

[WoodenMarker]

The motherboard just has more pins for some fan headers that use more. The 3 pin still fits in those.

[jomnepo]

The motherboard just has more pins for some fan headers that use more. The 3 pin still fits in those.

If its a 4 pin, and the fan is 3 pin, I'll just plug it in, and its ok? 

[WoodenMarker]

If its a 4 pin, and the fan is 3 pin, I'll just plug it in, and its ok? 

Yep.

[physX]

1.If the PC wont boot , check the cables twice and you will find the problem.

2.Some yes ,some no. Dont invest a lot in TC. Get a arctic cooling and you'll be fine.

3.Most of them (corsair ex) fit in all cases. ATX

4.You will find MB standoffs in your case.
5.It is variable , if board comes with only 3 fan connectors and you have 5 fans you will need a Molex connector which is an adapter that has 2 heads , i for fan connector and one for energy from PSU.

[Blade of Grass]

If its a 4 pin, and the fan is 3 pin, I'll just plug it in, and its ok?

Basically, the fourth pin on that fan header is to power PWM fans. They work a little differently than normal fans, as they get pulses of 12V instead of a continues supply.

So, if you plug a 3 pin fan into a four pin header, it just works as a 3 pin, since it doesn't need or use the PWM pin.

And if you plug a PWM fan into a 3 pin header, it works like any normal fan.

[jomnepo]

Basically, a the fourth pin on that fan header is power PWM fans. They work a little differently than normal fans, as they get pulses of 12V instead of a continues supply.

So, if you plug a 3 pin fan into a four pin header, it just works as a 3 pin, since it doesn't need or use the PWN pin.

And if you plug a PWN fan into a 3 pin header, it works like any normal fan.

What's PWN?

[XiaoPigs]

What's PWN?

PWM* PWM stands for pulse-width modulation. 4 pin header fans have PWM which allows them to be controlled either through software or something like a fan controller.

 

You can still lower the speed of a 3 pin header fan through resistors or under volting them

 

PWM is just more accurate.

[Blade of Grass]

PWM stands for Pulse Width Modulation, sorry for the typo.

Basically, instead of providing a fan with 3v, 5v or say 7volts, it gives little burst of 12v. It's awesome because some fans need 5v to start up, so if they were normal, they would not start spinning. But if its PWM, because they recieve 12v, they can start.