Tips for building a PC

[Midgitwarrior]

Hi all,

 

Since this will be my first time into PC gaming, i have looked around for a PC on multiple sites but none come close to building it myself, now i can re-watch one of Linus' builds as i do it just to make sure components go where they are supposed to. But I do have a little fear just in case something were to go wrong, so what precautions should I take when building a PC just so I have that extra peace of mind.

[Clanscorpia]

5 minutes ago, Midgitwarrior said:

Hi all,

 

Since this will be my first time into PC gaming, i have looked around for a PC on multiple sites but none come close to building it myself, now i can re-watch one of Linus' builds as i do it just to make sure components go where they are supposed to. But I do have a little fear just in case something were to go wrong, so what precautions should I take when building a PC just so I have that extra peace of mind.

Get a static wristband, build without socks, and on wood or tile

[XDroidie626]

There is a few bits.

First build the PC to a state outside of the case to make sure everything is working (Motherboards box will do, DO NOT use the antistatic bag at all), there is nothing more annoying than building a PC and then finding out the motherboard doesn't work.

Secondly take your time, this is your first build by the sounds of it, even more seasoned builders make mistakes that are borderline stupid, this happens multiple times.

There is also a chance your first boot wont work, again down to something stupidly simple, don't sweat it, just take a little break and come back to it 10 mins later and retrace your steps.

 

If unsure ASK.

Regardless of cash spent on this project it is still your hard earned cash.

Asking the forum for advice before proceeding will allow you to avoid any major mistakes (Bent CPU pins, dead GPUs) and in the long run, potentially save you more cash.

 

Thats it really.

[Himommies]

Use a Magnetic screwdriver it is worth the 10 bucks you will save yourself so much time

[Midgitwarrior]

1 minute ago, XDroidie626 said:

There is a few bits.

First build the PC to a state outside of the case to make sure everything is working, there is nothing more annoying than building a PC and then finding out the motherboard doesn't work.

Secondly take your time, this is your first build by the sounds of it, even more seasoned builders make mistakes that are borderline stupid, this happens multiple times.

There is also a chance your first boot wont work, again down to something stupidly simple, don't sweat it, just take a little break and come back to it 10 mins later and retrace your steps.

 

If unsure ASK.

Regardless of cash spent on this project it is still your hard earned cash.

Asking the forum for advice before proceeding will allow you to avoid any major mistakes (Bent CPU pins, dead GPUs) and in the long run, potentially save you more cash.

 

Thats it really.

Ahh thanks for that, i will keep these in mind and bookmark this so i don't forget, but in advance are there telltale signs of components that are faulty, i know that the GPU, RAM and CPU in bios wont be detected so even after a double check to make sure its fitted correctly, but as for the motherboard would it just not boot at all to a bios?

[Midgitwarrior]

1 minute ago, Himommies said:

Use a Magnetic screwdriver it is worth the 10 bucks you will save yourself so much time

Don't worry I already have a magnetic screwdriver as they are extremely better then non-magnetic screwdrivers for any use, and the one i have has a extendable magnetic cord so i can reach little corners that otherwise i could not. with just the screw head

[Himommies]

13 minutes ago, Clanscorpia said:

Get a static wristband, build without socks, and on wood or tile

You know I have never bothered with Static in my life nor have I ever grounded myself on a PSU and I built 4 working PC's

[Clanscorpia]

11 minutes ago, Himommies said:

You know I have never bothered with Static in my life nor have I ever grounded myself on a PSU and I built 4 working PC's

``so what precautions should I take when building a PC just so I have that extra peace of mind.``

[Midgitwarrior]

@Clanscorpia well i seen on amazon since i will be buying a component off there would you reccomend the cheapest static band or one that costs a little more as they have one for £1.14 on sale (usually £4.49) and the reviews are mostly positive and since for £1 for a one use item at least for now would this be a great one to purchase?

[Clanscorpia]

Just now, Midgitwarrior said:

@Clanscorpia well i seen on amazon since i will be buying a component off there would you reccomend the cheapest static band or one that costs a little more as they have one for £1.14 on sale (usually £4.49) and the reviews are mostly positive and since for £1 for a one use item at least for now would this be a great one to purchase?

Yeah it would be a good buy. Its basically a padded piece of wire with a clip so more expensive doesnt usually mean better 

[Midgitwarrior]

7 minutes ago, Clanscorpia said:

Yeah it would be a good buy. Its basically a padded piece of wire with a clip so more expensive doesnt usually mean better 

Ok thanks for your help for my oh so limited mind... for now.

[Mauv]

And just in case... If you have cats, or dogs, make sure they are not around. Pet hair is poison for it.

Remember: Pet Hair, Dust and Cigarette Smoke are motherboard killers.

 

Not reeeeally a killer, but is good to keep it clean.

[XDroidie626]

21 hours ago, Midgitwarrior said:

Ahh thanks for that, i will keep these in mind and bookmark this so i don't forget, but in advance are there telltale signs of components that are faulty, i know that the GPU, RAM and CPU in bios wont be detected so even after a double check to make sure its fitted correctly, but as for the motherboard would it just not boot at all to a bios?

Yes, its called a Power On Self Test.

This is a test the PC performs on every boot, it checks to make sure everything installed is working, if it detects a fault the motherboard will beep to alert you, you then reference the beeps against your motherboard on google to get your answer, this can vary between BIOS chips as different manufactures design them.

 

Another useful one which is not always obvious is the CPU fan(s) if these are spinning at 100% for over a certain amount of time there is something wrong, this is because the PC cannot post and is simply a more subtle way of it telling you, if the PC posts correctly the fan controller will pick up and control the voltage required currently, this all links into more technical topics, but is still useful.

 

regarding the CPU not been detected in the BIOS, this wouldn't even happen as you have no way to draw a screen without a CPU even with a dGPU as there is nothing to control the instructions around the PC, if you some how manage to install this wrong (Always check the CPU for a gold arrow and match this to the motherboard socket, generally there are 2 stand offs which only allow the CPU to go in one way.), expect major damage to the socket or the CPU as it will likely has crushed some pins required.

 

Physically checking the parts for damage is the only real way to test outside of box building and even then this may not show anything immediate, always keep that receipt close.