ive heard its quite easy from some people but also verry tricky from others. there are so many posts with people with much more experience than me asking why their pc wont work for strange reasons. i also managed to rebuild my old pc a while back. but also managed to kill it while trying to change the case (although it was 5 years old and no real loss). so how hard is it to build a pc from scratch and what precautions should i take against things like static? thanks
how hard is it to build a pc?
- Thread starter wupwup
- Start date
here's some tips i've always gone by on the static side of things...
1. Earth yourself before touching anything to do with the computer. Touch a kitchen sink tap or the end of a radiator etc.
2. Avoid wearing clothes that generate a lot of static, like wool jumpers.
3. Once earthed, use an anti-static wristband to attach yourself to something earthed when working on the pc. You could use the case.
4. Lay components down on the anti-static bags they came in when not using them.
Computer components aren't as sensitive as people make out, but yes, it is possible to melt a mobo if your extremely charged with static. I've built plenty a computer following those tips and never have i killed anything.
1. Earth yourself before touching anything to do with the computer. Touch a kitchen sink tap or the end of a radiator etc.
2. Avoid wearing clothes that generate a lot of static, like wool jumpers.
3. Once earthed, use an anti-static wristband to attach yourself to something earthed when working on the pc. You could use the case.
4. Lay components down on the anti-static bags they came in when not using them.
Computer components aren't as sensitive as people make out, but yes, it is possible to melt a mobo if your extremely charged with static. I've built plenty a computer following those tips and never have i killed anything.
choosing the right componets (compatability eg a s775 mobo with an 1336 processorr) can be a problem so post a build spec before buying
the only other fun thing it getting the OS going, depending on you particular cnfig it can be easy or tedious but it will most likely be just niggely things but the guys on this forum should be able to help
the only other fun thing it getting the OS going, depending on you particular cnfig it can be easy or tedious but it will most likely be just niggely things but the guys on this forum should be able to help
Here's some things you should be weary of -
Make sure you don't touch the underside of your processor as you will kill it
Try not to force things in as they can be tempremental and break
As user1453 said, post a spec on the forums so we can tell you that it will work
Building a PC is very simple, putting RAM in is simple, just push in and make sure the clips are in, putting CPU in is just release the cover, put it in the right way, push the hook down into locking position again. Graphics cards you just push into place, make sure you screw up the part connecting to the PC case to keep it in place and avoid loose connections.
When putting in a heatsink + fan be careful if you need to put a bracket in to hold it in place, when clipping it over the CPU make sure the CPU isn't in, and hold the otherside of the motherboard so it don't bend and break.
Make sure you don't touch the underside of your processor as you will kill it
Try not to force things in as they can be tempremental and break
As user1453 said, post a spec on the forums so we can tell you that it will work
Building a PC is very simple, putting RAM in is simple, just push in and make sure the clips are in, putting CPU in is just release the cover, put it in the right way, push the hook down into locking position again. Graphics cards you just push into place, make sure you screw up the part connecting to the PC case to keep it in place and avoid loose connections.
When putting in a heatsink + fan be careful if you need to put a bracket in to hold it in place, when clipping it over the CPU make sure the CPU isn't in, and hold the otherside of the motherboard so it don't bend and break.
http://techreport.com/articles.x/13671
A good beginner's guide. I recently switched to a new case and had only done upgrades before that - disassembling the computer and putting it back together again was quite straight forward.
A good beginner's guide. I recently switched to a new case and had only done upgrades before that - disassembling the computer and putting it back together again was quite straight forward.
I always found it useful to have a "build buddy" on hand the first couple of times I built a machine - someone who's more experienced at building PCs who can point out if you miss something.
It's just a case of taking things slowly, especially siting the motherboard in the case. Get the standoffs in the right places and take your time to get it seated correctly before whacking everything else in.
One thing I do now is put the RAM and CPU on the motherboard before I put it in the case (I know with some coolers you pretty much have to do that anyway) - I find it easier to get the RAM in when it's outside, just sit it on the antistatic bag on top of the box the MB came in, perfect work surface.
These days, computer components will work with each other much happier than before (I remember the old days of having to scour forums to find out if my proposed soundcard purchase would cause my modem to seize up) - especially as you can buy pre-OCed bundled deals that give you a great head start. Do your homework before you buy anything and you'll be golden!
It's just a case of taking things slowly, especially siting the motherboard in the case. Get the standoffs in the right places and take your time to get it seated correctly before whacking everything else in.
One thing I do now is put the RAM and CPU on the motherboard before I put it in the case (I know with some coolers you pretty much have to do that anyway) - I find it easier to get the RAM in when it's outside, just sit it on the antistatic bag on top of the box the MB came in, perfect work surface.
These days, computer components will work with each other much happier than before (I remember the old days of having to scour forums to find out if my proposed soundcard purchase would cause my modem to seize up) - especially as you can buy pre-OCed bundled deals that give you a great head start. Do your homework before you buy anything and you'll be golden!
Hmmmm, in all the years I have been building my own PC's I have never once heard of this...
There really is nothing hard about building a PC, like RJC said, make sure you read manuals thoroughly, double checking everything...
Oh, and don't forget use mobo stand offs on your case before mounting the mobo!!!
the first time can be a little worring but take your time, pick your parts with care and remember static is something you really need to take care of, handle parts by the edge of the board ect and if your not sure and have access to this forum via laptop, another desktop or even a web enabled phone 
also if your not sure what parts to go for just ask for someone to spec you all we need is a budget and what you want to use the pc for and someone will sort you out the perfect spec for your needs
good luck and remember help is just a post away
also if your not sure what parts to go for just ask for someone to spec you all we need is a budget and what you want to use the pc for and someone will sort you out the perfect spec for your needs
good luck and remember help is just a post away
thanks guys. this is realy encouraging. here is my build so far
AMD Phennom II 720
Asus M4A78T-E AMD 790GX
Corsair TX 650W psu
Coolermaster Storm 'Scout' Gaming Case
OCZ Platinum 4GB DDR3 1333MHz Dual Channel
Powercolor ATI Radeon HD 4890 PCS+
i also need a dvd drive and hdd(s) but these will depend on how much money i have left. how dose this look? thanks
AMD Phennom II 720
Asus M4A78T-E AMD 790GX
Corsair TX 650W psu
Coolermaster Storm 'Scout' Gaming Case
OCZ Platinum 4GB DDR3 1333MHz Dual Channel
Powercolor ATI Radeon HD 4890 PCS+
i also need a dvd drive and hdd(s) but these will depend on how much money i have left. how dose this look? thanks
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I heard it on this gadget show I watch, but still, I highly doubt it's a good idea to touch the underside anyway...
Soldato
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Building a PC is like expensive lego. You can't really put anything in the wrong place.
Don't worry about static. Just be sensible and avoid touching electrical components, hold PCBs by the edges etc and you'll be fine.
Don't worry about static. Just be sensible and avoid touching electrical components, hold PCBs by the edges etc and you'll be fine.
Probably the most common fault for your PC not initially powering up once built, is because one or more of the power/data cables is wrongly connected from hardware to motherboard, especially the 4/8pin power connector...
This should be the case, but when humans are involved, sod's law applies, i.e., what, by the laws of averages shouldn't happen, does happen.
This should be the case, but when humans are involved, sod's law applies, i.e., what, by the laws of averages shouldn't happen, does happen.
quote of the day tbh
Nice quote but you still have to know what you're doing. AMD lego won't work with intel lego...or duplo as the case may be
thats a good alalogy. it did feel like lego rebuilding my old pc (got a new cpu and thought id stip t down while i was at it. and it worked after. but when i tried to put it all in a new case about a month after i killed something. me thinks the mobo. although i didnt know anything abut static and wasnt too carefull
its not difficult to put together. i would have a good read of the motherboard manual.
Configuring/optimizing and installing the applications is more time consuming.
but if you do encounter a problem, you allways have this forum to request for help and guidance.
remember to post pictures.
Configuring/optimizing and installing the applications is more time consuming.
but if you do encounter a problem, you allways have this forum to request for help and guidance.
remember to post pictures.
It is as hard or as easy as you make it. A little prep and making sure you know what you need goes most of the way to making it easy. A common first timer mistake is budget gear. Some cheapo stuff is great, most is poo. Read up on components. OCUK is a great source of info.
Edit, What was the rig you think you killed? Could be something you missed (power connectors or jumpers on an old board). I had a great hair pulling experiance with an old Socket 7 AMD rig back in the day, forgot the FSB jumper
the shame
Edit, What was the rig you think you killed? Could be something you missed (power connectors or jumpers on an old board). I had a great hair pulling experiance with an old Socket 7 AMD rig back in the day, forgot the FSB jumper
the shame
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