do's and dont's

TwistNut

TwistNut

TwistNut

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18 Dec 2007
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508
hey guys need some advice from vetran pc builders

i have all of my gear now and am going to start putting it all in my case monday

i have the mobo in and prosseser this is it all the rest to go any body got any tips on what order to go how to not creat static ect any help will be great thanks a lot

darren
 
You can buy anti-static wrist straps if you are really worried about static but a simpler solution is simply to touch something earthed, most radiators are so touch one before starting the build or plug the PSU in but don't switch it on and touch that because there is an earth wire for plugs.

If you've already got the motherboard in the case then you might find that adding the heatsink and cooler for the CPU is a bit more tricky than building it outside the case. However you can certainly try it depending on how the heatsink attaches to the motherboard.

The usual order I build is:
CPU in motherboard
Heatsink attached
Put motherboard into case and screw into place
Wire up front panel connectors
Add Ram
Add graphics card
Add any add-in cards e.g. sound or network if necessary
Put in hard/optical drives
Plug in all required power connections
Cross fingers and press the power button
Curse loudly because it hasn't started first time
Realise I've forgotten to switch the plug on after leaving it off for the build
Flick the switch and get reacquainted with the "Windows is about to run for the first time" message.
 
Best tip I have, is to plug the PSU into the wall, but leave it TURNED OFF. Obviously this is only any good if the PSU is mounted into the case.

Whenever you feel the urge to discharge any potential static from yourself, just touch the case. No stupid antistatic cables to get in your way, and far more cheaper and convenient.
 
Consider,

Building off the ground on a surface clear of obstrusctions
Try not to build in a carpeted room, if you do, decide how you are going to earth yourself
That you have all the tools need to hand before you start
Have a couple of pots to hand to put all the screws/fittings in so you don't drop or lose them
Wear clothing that does not create too much static (like no fleece type material)
Have the PSU plugged into the wall, but make sure it is turned off at the wall and at the PSU if it has a switch
Make sure you know where the case headers go, there is generally a picture of this in the mb manual.
Read posts about you motherboard and read its manual to ensure you put the ram in the best slots.
 
MeatLoaf said:
I do mine the same as semi pro, but i put the ram in before i put the board into the case :)
Click to expand...

Same hear though first thing to go in the case before i put the mobo in is the PSU if not allready mounted, its a good idea to put hard drives/floppy drives and optical drives in before the the mobo, more so hard drives as some cases can be a squeeze to fit a hard drive in if the case is allready populated.

All my builds are done on top of my glass desk wich i clear before hand its about 5 and a half foot by 3 foot so plenty of room and i can do it seated in my chair wich is allways best as im nice and comfortable when doing it.
 
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ok great tips i have been lent a earthing strap from a sparky i know i can clip it to the radiator in the louge while i build this should keep static away

my mobo is the asus crosshair i dont think it matter what slots the ram goes in oO ? correct me if i am wrong


these tips are all great keep em coming maybe get it stricked as i would never had faught about a earth strap

also i have only 2 gig of g skill ram will vista run on it another 2 gig in a week or so

or shall i wait for the other 2 gig before i run it ?

thanks again guys

darren
 
the first thing to do is make sure you get the stand offs for the mb in the case before you go and do anything.
so much easier to do with nothing in there at all.

jobe
 
Nah, just clag the other 2gb in when you get it.

Dont forget to lacerate yourself on the case. I do it everytime. Even if its rolled edges.
 
Do: wear an anti static wristband
Do: plug your psu into the wall as soon as it's installed (not switched on)
 
my best tip,

take your time and plan what your going to do carefully and stick to it. If your get i right first time you wont have to troubleshoot which can be a pain.

above you will see some good advice on which order you do it in, but this int set in stone it all depends on the hardware you have. my case is huge for example which made it a lot easer just to throw it in.
 
TwistNut said:
my mobo is the asus crosshair i dont think it matter what slots the ram goes in oO ? correct me if i am wrong
Click to expand...
Normally for Asus mobos you have to either fill the coloured slots or all slots for Dual-Channel mode. But best to check mobo manual for that info. & that's another tip - go through all manauls even if just a quick glance :)

Might find this guide useful ;)
 
My Tip:

Get a magnetic screwdriver! Spent absolutely ages trying to screw the mobo into my case with completely inaccessable screws.
 
Skeeter said:
My Tip:

Get a magnetic screwdriver! Spent absolutely ages trying to screw the mobo into my case with completely inaccessable screws.
Click to expand...

dont know for sure but wouldnt a magnetic screw something up as easy as static?

i usually use a small piece of blue tac on the tip to hold screw
 
napalm666 said:
dont know for sure but wouldnt a magnetic screw something up as easy as static?
Click to expand...

Static electricity isn't quite the same as magnetism although both are probably a bit overrated as dangers to the average PC. I've used a (weakly) magnetised screwdriver for every build I've ever done and to my knowledge all still work fine, you would need a pretty hefty magnet (probably electro magnet really) to affect a computer I reckon.
 
semi-pro waster said:
Static electricity isn't quite the same as magnetism although both are probably a bit overrated as dangers to the average PC. I've used a (weakly) magnetised screwdriver for every build I've ever done and to my knowledge all still work fine, you would need a pretty hefty magnet (probably electro magnet really) to affect a computer I reckon.
Click to expand...

cool, will have to get meself a new magnetic screwdriver, was always worried about using them in a pc :)
 
Magnetic screwdrivers really help getting the mb screws into place.

As does this really strange thing i have...

It looks like a tube of thermal paste, but you press the end down and a little claw comes out of the end! Actually helped greatly with my build =)
 
basmic said:
Best tip I have, is to plug the PSU into the wall, but leave it TURNED OFF. Obviously this is only any good if the PSU is mounted into the case.
Click to expand...

This is also what I do as you have all of the metalwork earthed and are less likely to build up static when intalling comonents.

Compressed air is really useful for cleaning heatsinks, especially the ones that you get on graphics cards that are near impossible to clean any other way.
 
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