first time build, what could go wrong?

Piesanfries

Piesanfries

Piesanfries

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Joined
28 Feb 2014
Posts
235
Hi all,

I hope iv put this in the right section if not appolgies. I orderd and cancelled a prebuilt pc over the weekend after thinking about doing it my self (after being told on every post its easy and better it started to stick).

Iv been watching the new egg vids on youtube on how to do it and it litrully looks like putting lego together as in everything just clips/slots in place. My question is is it really as easy as it loooks?

Im still hesitent as the part im most nervous about is going to be software side of things. Realistically what types of things can and do go wrong with self build pcs as at the end of the day i dont want to be flushing that best part of a grand down the toilet

im looking of a budget of around £900 with an OS for a tower. its purpose will be gaming and gaming only.
 
People being too excited with there new goodies, aka screwing the motherboard on to the case without the standoffs being in place! lol i see that a lot.
 
Piesanfries said:
Iv been watching the new egg vids on youtube on how to do it and it litrully looks like putting lego together as in everything just clips/slots in place. My question is is it really as easy as it loooks?
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yes, it really is as easy as it looks. the trickiest part imo is seating the processor properly as you could damage the pins in the socket if you dont take due care

Piesanfries said:
Im still hesitent as the part im most nervous about is going to be software side of things. Realistically what types of things can and do go wrong with self build pcs as at the end of the day i dont want to be flushing that best part of a grand down the toilet
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you're just installing windows right? as long as the bios is configured to read the dvd/flash drive first, it shouldn't be too hard for the novice

the only major problem is if one of the parts is dead on arrival, then it's a matter of troubleshooting. but that's what this forum is here for ;p
 
Yes just windows, id prefer to just use a stock processor so i dont have to worry about over clocking. Some of the i5's and high end amd's dont require overclocking do they?

parts being dead... this a commong thing ?
 
Just be careful with static, don't wear anything that would generate it and ground yourself through the metal on your case.

RAM seems to get me every time, just pop in one stick on the first boot then when it's all running switch it of and pop them all in.

Thermal paste is another one, watch a few YouTube videos on how to apply it to your after market coolers (if any).

Ensure the RAM you purchase is on the compatibility list for your motherboard. Check your motherboard has all the interfaces you need.

Make sure your monitor has the right cable from your GPU, if you're connecting to a TV then an HDMI adapter may be required.

Otherwise, if you keep your cables nice and tidy you'll be fine and can trouble shoot to find any problems.

It's actually quite fun.
 
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It really is as easy as it looks. Not like the old days of core crushing and over heating etc.

Do some final checks (Power connectors, CPU FAN attached etc) and everything will be fine. Even if you forget something, the system will protect itself.

Just remember the standoffs
 
Piesanfries said:
Yes just windows, id prefer to just use a stock processor so i dont have to worry about over clocking. Some of the i5's and high end amd's dont require overclocking do they?
Click to expand...

for resale value and possibility that you'd want to overclock in the future (never say never), you should get an overclocking chip, these can also be run at stock speeds (ie you don't need to overclock them, but the potential exists)

Piesanfries said:
parts being dead... this a commong thing ?
Click to expand...

it's uncommon, but it does happen from time to time
 
I just built my first pc mate. Check out my posts to find my project log.

In all honesty it was easy with only slight niggles. Nothing major though. I only watched a few youtube videos too. Like everyone is said, it's not hard nowadays and its only hard to go wrong. Common sense can get you through it.

As for all the stand off comments, i wasted 20min looking for mine to realise my case didn't need them - just a heads up that some cases don't use them. In my case it was the corsair 300r.
 
I used them videos when I built my first PC. It is a lot like lego just more expensive :p
In terms of what could go wrong, just wear an anti static wrist strap, if you have more than one stick of ram make sure there in the right slots (Check your motherboard manual), remember the ram does need a good bit of pressure to go in, and use the standoffs (a lot of people seem to forget this).

Enjoy! :)
 
Although I've never built a rig as I preferred the added Warranty that comes with getting a pre-built system most of it is pretty straight forward, as mentioned just be careful with the CPU and mounting the CPU Cooler. I myself bought the i5-4670K and even though I haven't needed to overclock mine it's nice to know that you have the option should you ever need to and I think you can command a better resale price for a K series Intel chip.
 
I'd never built a full system until recently (replaced CPUs, GPUs, RAM, HDDs etc in the past) - it's pretty straightforward if you work logically.

The bit where you press the power button the first time is a bit nerve-wracking. In fact, it resulted in nothing happening at all with my build :eek:

Discovered that shorting the mobo power button terminals with a screwdriver meant everything started perfectly, and it turned out that the power and reset cables in my Shinobi Mid case are labelled the wrong way around (or i'm reading them wrong?!)
 
It's also really helpful to watch videos or read review sites that detail an install using your specific pc case. If you dish out for an Antec or Lianli, there'll be fancy features in there which aren't exactly easy to figure out but do the job incredibly well.
 
Take care removing the CPU socket protective cap and installing the CPU

The CPU socket is full of tiny pins that can easily be damaged 99% of the time they do with a first time builder so patients is the key
 
Hi, yes it can be nerve racking thinking about building your first PC, l'm nearly 60 if l can build PC so can you.

Do a bit research, read your motherboard manual, take your time. Build your PC in stage's and check its ok.

Don't use cheap screw drivers as the screwdriver tip can be to soft and deform causing it to slip.

Good Luck,:)
Oldphart.
 
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