Tips for first build

jamesy505

jamesy505

jamesy505

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Joined
19 Mar 2011
Posts
2,344
Location
Glasgow
Getting round to building my first ever PC tomorrow.

I'm looking for some of those excellent tips you have all gathered throughout the years of building your own PC's.

Any tips or things to look out for are appreciated. I'll likely be using the stickied guide for, erm, guidance.

Cheers
 
just take your time with it, dont build it out side thew case un less you have a test bench, make sure all of the power connectors are in, and dont forget to use the little motherboards standoffs. and if you need any help along the way im sure people on here will be more than happy to help you
 
I built mine in the case first of all and then had to take everything out again when I had a problem, best to build it out of the case in the first place, just make sure it is on a non conductive surface
 
i have never built one outside the case, the only thing i do outside the case is to fit the cpu and then the cpu cooler and stick in the ram.
when i done my first couple of builds, i messed up on the little connectors from the case (power switch, hdd led etc...) so always double check these with your mobo manual.
take your time, and dont rush it.
also excellent build guide with pics ;) http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18046396
good luck and enjoy it :)
 
A top tip is to make sure you carefully route every cable before connecting it up. Don't rush and just plug it in. Cable management is super important... for one it makes it look a lot nicer and more importantly it keeps the airflow good.

Don't worry about static... I've built hundreds of computers, worked with thousands and never ever damaged anything with static. I do wear a wrist strap on the odd occasion (when the gear is into the thousands, I'll take the extra measure)

Connect the fans to the PSU and not the motherboard.

Erm.... If I think of any more tips I'll add more later :)

P.S. Where in Glasgow are you?
 
take



your



time

1st time boot up with no problems is priceless :)

keep well hydrated *cough*

any issues ,ask for help, will probably be able to help you faster than you finding out the answer yourself
 
munz said:
1st time boot up with no problems is priceless :)
Click to expand...

It's hard to put a price on the feeling when you push the on button and nothing happens too :(

On the bright side, if when you push the button something comes up on the screen, you're pretty much in the clear. And if nothing does, take a few photos and come back online.
 
JonJ678 said:
It's hard to put a price on the feeling when you push the on button and nothing happens too :(

On the bright side, if when you push the button something comes up on the screen, you're pretty much in the clear. And if nothing does, take a few photos and come back online.
Click to expand...
Agreed, when i puy my i7 system together, met with a blank screen on first boot, turned out i had the ram in the wrong slots.:o
 
It's an empty feeling in your stomach... nothing worse... follow by a huge sigh as you now have to go back and check to see what's wrong. Probably needing to RMA something!!
 
Buchanan0204 said:
A top tip is to make sure you carefully route every cable before connecting it up. Don't rush and just plug it in. Cable management is super important... for one it makes it look a lot nicer and more importantly it keeps the airflow good.

Don't worry about static... I've built hundreds of computers, worked with thousands and never ever damaged anything with static. I do wear a wrist strap on the odd occasion (when the gear is into the thousands, I'll take the extra measure)

Connect the fans to the PSU and not the motherboard.

Erm.... If I think of any more tips I'll add more later :)

P.S. Where in Glasgow are you?
Click to expand...

I'm actually in Cumbernauld.

Thanks for all the tips. Looking forward to tomorrow but also quite nervous :)
 
Well, if you want to make sure you don't make the same stupid mistake as I did once... After installing the components on to the motherboard (outside of the case), make sure when you put the motherboard in the case, that before you turn the case up right again, that you've actually screwed the motherboard down.

But you must believe me... that was a one off, lol
 
A lot of people are telling you to build it outside the case. I wouldn't bother with this to be honest. Bit of a hassle really. Shorting pins to turn it on, unless you hook up the case switch or the mobo has a switch built into it.

The only reason you will have to take the motherboard back out the case is if it is dodgy... and the chances of that are pretty slim. If the RAM or anything else is faulty then you still need to screw the mobo in at one point and may as well leave it there until the replacement comes.

If the PSU is dead, the mobo still has to be screwed in also. Don't bother with the faff of doing it twice. The key is to just connect the basics, Mobo, Ram, Graphics and both the ATX power cables, 24 pin and 8 pin. Test to see if it turns on. If it does, then carry on with the cable management, hard drives, optical drives etc.

Your a bit far away from me if you got stuck. Any of your pals into computers or anyone to bail you out if you make a mess of it? (not that you will!)
 
Buchanan0204 said:
Your a bit far away from me if you got stuck. Any of your pals into computers or anyone to bail you out if you make a mess of it? (not that you will!)
Click to expand...

Yeah, luckily my neighbour can put PC's together so have a fall back, but will try myself first. Sure it will be ok if I take my time :)
 
Delivery time between 1146-1246 :)

But then I need to go and see my niece as its her birthday. So probably wont get started till later
 
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