Just how easy or difficult is it to build a computer?

theone1989

theone1989

theone1989

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22 Dec 2010
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I am not looking for any hardware recommendations etc.

What I'm interested is any feedback on the either the difficulty or ease of building a computer. However, I've never built anything before (Ikea coffee tables probably don't count) and I'd be looking at £1000+ of components for an all singing all dancing rig.

Is it um "wise" to attempt build that much first time? I know there's a sticky, but still. Chances of me making a catastrophic mistake likely? or not?

I had a look at custom build sites but the prices are typically several hundred quid more :( due to labour cost, not always cheapest component costs + actually paying for Windows.
 
Computer manufactures make their components in a way that all cables and wires etc can only fit into one receiving attachment (square block fits into square hole, kind of thing). Often they are colour coded and/or ladled and the supplied (motherboard) manual makes for easy reading if ya get stuck. As mentioned before just like building lego.... (just try not to electrocute ya self). Once ya start building your own you'll never look back.
 
Tovo said:
Ever played with lego ?

Pretty much it.
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This!

I ventured into builing my own rig during the AMD winchester cpu era.
Before that bought a Mesh PC which lasted years and still works but is donkey slow.

Building a PC is like a 10 piece jigsaw puzzle.


Most folks on these forums will be more than willing to help out.
 
wilko49 said:
Building a PC is incredibly easy. Troubleshooting it if it doesn't work is the tricky part - but that's why this forum exists!
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Exactly!!! so we can ask the time old questions like,

Did you plug the addition 8pin ATX into the motherboard?

Try just one stick of ram at a time in all ram slots.

Do you have the graphics card power connections plugged in?

Turned it on at the wall socket?
 
Like mentioned, it's pretty simple. The first time can be a bit daunting, but just make sure you take your time, know exactly what you are about to do. Don't rush anything.

Just make sure to ground yourself when building the system. You can get anti-static wrist straps for around a fiver, and it saves you remembering to touch a metal part of the case bla bla before hand. It will probably be used more than once also.

Tips for when you go to start. Make sure you have loads of room... a big empty desk is ideal. Plenty of light is essential also to read the tiny writing on the motherboard.

As mentioned, if you get stuck... take a photo and ask for help.
 
It's way easier these days now that the PC isn't the only internet access in the house. If it all hits the fan you can still at least get online to ask questions.
 
I built my first just by reading the supplied manuals. Though, its definately going to be a lot easier if you follow a guide. Because you'll have a set list of what to do first etc.
 
wilko49 said:
Building a PC is incredibly easy. Troubleshooting it if it doesn't work is the tricky part - but that's why this forum exists!
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The Halk said:
It's way easier these days now that the PC isn't the only internet access in the house. If it all hits the fan you can still at least get online to ask questions.
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These are the 2 important points!

I remember having only 1 computer which i was mine and the only inet access, and if it stopped working briefly, id ring a mate and get him to ask online about it...ball ache!! :D
 
Honestly its like lego,

the parts can only go in the specified slots -
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The most important things -
Check for thermal paste
-the paste on your cpu that stops it burning to death! it transfers heat to the cooler.

Ground yourself
-by touching a radiator IIRC, before touching parts, (or you may have some static that could damage them).

im an amateur so some confirmation of my points may be wanted.
 
The best thing is to have a good look at the inside of your current PC and see how it is setup. There will be differences as in the differences between different cars, they all have the same parts just in different places sometimes.
 
When i built my first computer i was expecting to run into problems but providing your not some ball scratching idiot and don't try force things together then its pretty simple. I suggest you read a couple of guides first (atleast one) before even attempting it then when building it go through the guide again. If your not a fan of reading there are a some good vids on youtube of people with detailed guides on building computers too. Last of all if something messes up then turn all the power off and come crawling back here before something else goes wrong :D
 
theone1989 said:
So if I bought a CPU, would a pack of thermal paste be included?

Or will I have to buy my own?
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When you buy your Heatsink and Fan there should be a tube of thermal paste that comes with it. My I7 920 CPU ( retail package) didn't though I think there was a pad which covered that which was on the stock HSF. But I used a Zalman CNPS10X cooler with came with everything required anyway including the thermal compound.

You can buy it separately but check if it's included first with the HSF. The guys on here will recommend some if you need advice on that. Arctic Silver is just one of the few types available.
 
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