Self Build Advice

[fortuneseeker]

I have spent the past few months researching the spec I would like for my new PC. Whilst I'm not really an enthusiast and mostly only want a PC to play games and other occasional misc use, it would be kinda cool to build it myself to increase my knowledge and understanding of computers etc.

I have watched some really good step-by-step videos on youtube, but don't want to get caught in 'a little knowledge is a dangerous thing' trap.

I am a little concerned that almost all the videos I have watched the build goes very smoothly and if they do go wrong they have spare parts on hand to test.

As I will be spending my entire budget and am reasonably confident that I could put it together, update and configure the BIOS etc, I can't really afford for things to go wrong or buy spare parts to diagnose any problems - how likely is this/how often do you get faulty parts?

Is there any other general advice you would recommend for a first time builder, or would you just pay the extra for the piece of mind of a pre-built machine?

 

[Personality+]

It's easier than ever to build a PC to be honest. To make it even easier match your case and specs to a very recent build tutorial you've seen. And you literally can't go wrong.

I had an issue with my motherboard on my very first installation but the motherboard let's you know with error codes etc if this is the case. Highly unlikely if you buy popular models and proven to be reliable components in every category.

I'd avoid your own custom water cooling loops and stick with an aio cpu cooler and fans for your 1st build as well.

 

[fortuneseeker]

Yeah the videos I've watched make it look really easy, if everything goes to plan it should be fairly straight forwards.

I am just a little nervous that if something does go wrong or there is a fault somewhere I'll have limited knowledge or spare components to diagnose what is actually wrong.

 

[SkeeterUK]

Just make sure you touch say ur psu before touching components so u dont do electric static on em. Go slow, have somit to watch a utube vid while u do it and pause as u go. The trickiest parts is putting the cpu in and putting the latch on then the paste then the cooler, try to get a cooler that as easy as you want it to be, aio coolers can be easier than hsf due to size etc but air coolers can be ok too just go slow and dont put too much pressure on when putting it on before screwing it down and go in a figure 8 pattern with screws.

Then its basically putting it in the case, doing some cables and tidy up on the back (cable ties can be useful).

You can always post here asking questions, show pics of stuff ur not too sure about what to do with and ppl will help guide you.

When you get the mb out, put it on the antistatic bag to work on.

You could invest in a few quid a pc speaker incase you need it to hear beeps for errors when turning it on for the first time incase your mb doesnt have leds or error code readout things. Can help diagnose issues.

Oh and make sure the mb standoffs for the case are in ok. So the mb sits ontop of em ok.