Computer terms/tricks every beginner should know!

[matx13]

Hey Everyone, thought I would do my first post on LTT, finally decided to make an account and start getting involved!

 

So I decided my first post would be the essential/helpful tips, tricks and terms that every beginner PC gamer/builder enthusiast should know. You can give as many HELPFUL responses as you would like and I will start it off.

 

Even though you can get by just fine, wear Anti-static bands, drop that $5-10 dollars so you do do not completely screw over your new 2TB HDD that your both kind and Tech-Savvy Grandmother just got you!

[AlphaGamer46]

Hey Everyone, thought I would do my first post on LTT, finally decided to make an account and start getting involved!

 

So I decided my first post would be the essential/helpful tips, tricks and terms that every beginner PC gamer/builder enthusiast should know. You can give as many HELPFUL responses as you would like and I will start it off.

 

Even though you can get by just fine, wear Anti-static bands, drop that $5-10 dollars so you do do not completely screw over your new 2TB HDD that your both kind and Tech-Savvy Grandmother just got you!

That is right BUT if you are unable to obtain one, just periodically ground yourself on a grounded surface or a power supply. It is more of a pain in the rear-end, but works if you are unable to obtain one.

[tomaatvk]

How did you manage to destroy it, work with my computer all the time, on carpet wearing socks and I never managed to get that done without such a band.

 

Just ground yourself against the case pretty often and don't try to break it.

[blu4]

Never. Ever. Rush. Always take your time and if you are unsure, RTFM or write a post here- we are always happy to assist

[AllHokage]

Most important tip Ever!!!

 

"Make sure your Displayport/HDMI/DVI plug is plugged into your graphics card and not your CPU card"

 

Here are some others

 

1. Never neglect cable management (It can make or break a setup)

2. Make sure to clean your PC internals every 6-12 months (change thermal paste/dust it)

3. Ever stuck on something ASK, don't guess it! 

[MegaDave91]

There are an endless amount of acronyms and you'll see them used very often, so don't hesitate to research their meaning. 

 

Some common ones are:

LGA (land grid array)

PGA (pin grid array)

DIMM (dual in line memory module)

RAM  (random access memory)

PCIe (peripheral component interconnect express)

SATA (serial advanced technology attachment)

GPU (graphics processing unit)

CPU (central processing unit)

PSU (power supply unit)

AIO (all in one)

PCH (platform control hub)

DMI (direct media interface)

VRM (voltage regulator modules)

FSB (front side bus)

NVMe (non volatile memory express)

eSATA (external)

SATAe (sata express)

USB (universal serial bus)

HDMI (high definition multimedia interface)

DVI (digital visual interface)

DP (display port)

MHL (mobile high definition link)

 

These are what immediately sprung to mind, but they are endless...

[Guest]

Get anit virus and anti malware. Also get CCleaner.

[Bl00dgod]

@matx13 follow your topic pls & welcome

 

Never. Ever. Rush. Always take your time and if you are unsure, RTFM or write a post here- we are always happy to assist

^ this

 

and rule #2 DONT PANIC

no need for a wrist band

i tested an old hdd while running and moved a strong "neodym" magnet on it

the writing/reading speed slowed a bit down ...after connecting the magnet a 2nd or 3rd time it didnt get much worse

 

cable management is important and uhm ... clean dust every once in a while with canned air.... NO VACUUM it can kill your pc

[matx13]

How did you manage to destroy it, work with my computer all the time, on carpet wearing socks and I never managed to get that done without such a band.

 

Just ground yourself against the case pretty often and don't try to break it.

Oh I didn't I've just known people who have, and I know you "technically" never need a band, but my own personal preference is to be safe. Thanks for the reply!

[TheGrim123321]

Never use piss or other penile liquids instead of water when water cooling.

[ShadowCaptain]

Try turning it off and on again

[paradigm249]

dont trust everything on the internet. all this could be a lie too. or not

[Guest]

Buy the best case for the money, not the best case money can buy.

 

No matter what any one tells you, they CAN NOT recommend you anything that will meet your needs now, or in the future. Take all recommendations with this in mind.

 

Here is some Need to Know terminology:

 

HDD = Hard Disk Drive

SSD = Solid State (Hard) Drive (Different from SSHD)

USB = Universal Serial Bus

DDR = Double Data Rate

CPU = Central Processing Unit

GPU = Graphic Process Unit (previously known as a VGA Control Card)

PSU = Power Supply Unit

 

Non-Critical Terminology:

 

GNU = GNU's Not Unix

x86 = The architecture that all Intel & AMD processors are compatible with. (also known as i386, i486, i586, i686)

x86-64 = The architecture that all Intel & AMD 64 Bit processors are compatible with. (also known as AMD64)

CISC = Complex Instruction Set Computing. (x86 style computers)

RISC = Reduced Instruction Set Computing (ARM style computers)

 

 

If you have any questions, feel free to PM me @MagnesiumPC

[tomaatvk]

Oh I didn't I've just known people who have, and I know you "technically" never need a band, but my own personal preference is to be safe. Thanks for the reply!

I must admit though, I managed to break a hard drive too. It took a hammer, several rocks and a few 5m drops but it did break eventually.

[matx13]

Loving these replies, I'll add on some more!

 

RESEARCH!!! Always do your research before dropping dough here and there, it would probably kill me a little inside if I had a MOBO that wasn't compatible with my slick new case I got

(I certainly hope this is common knowledge, but knowledge is always valid for restating)

[matx13]

I must admit though, I managed to break a hard drive too. It took a hammer, several rocks and a few 5m drops but it did break eventually.

Yeah newer Hard Drives are definitely durable, but the guy who actually got me into computers had accidentally wiped his one time.

[Maleko]

Even though you can get by just fine, wear Anti-static bands, drop that $5-10 dollars so you do do not completely screw over your new 2TB HDD that your both kind and Tech-Savvy Grandmother just got you!

 

Haven't worn one for yeaaaars and NEVER done any damage to servers, workstations or any components. 

[Coaxialgamer]

Tip number 1:DO NOT freak put if the pc does not turn on after building it. Check the psu and if it on.

I had a mini heart attack when this happened to me

[soup]

There are an endless amount of acronyms and you'll see them used very often, so don't hesitate to research their meaning. 

 

<snip>

 You seem to have forgoten TMA (Too Many Acronyms)

 

[Mode:Pedant]

Oh BTW (<see what I did there) Most of those are NOT acronyms.

 

Hint :-  google the difference between Acronyms and Initialisations

[mode:off]

[soup]

 

Even though you can get by just fine, wear Anti-static bands, drop that $5-10 dollars so you do do not completely screw over your new 2TB HDD that your both kind and Tech-Savvy Grandmother just got you!

 

On first glance this seems eminentally sensible, but what about it 'getting in the road', brushing across components , restricting movement etc.

[SkilledRebuilds]

Install the air driven CPU cooler before putting the board into the case.

Says everyone who's done it 1000 times.

[Speedbird]

If your budget is greater than €700, spend the most on the GPU.

[PlayStation 2]

Most important tip Ever!!!

 

"Make sure your Displayport/HDMI/DVI plug is plugged into your graphics card and not your CPU card"

 

Here are some others

 

1. Never neglect cable management (It can make or break a setup)

2. Make sure to clean your PC internals every 6-12 months (change thermal paste/dust it)

3. Ever stuck on something ASK, don't guess it!

While I see that some sort of cable management has to be done for obvious reasons, outside of the mandatory, it's just for bragging rights.

[Nup]

Do some reading on whatever it is you're at. And then when you're done, do some more reading.

[xgn]

Take you're time read up on why you are doing this or that, focus on few things at once, Make a plan of what you want to do, make a budget, lock and load.