Your building routine?

ellingham

ellingham

ellingham

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Joined
29 Jun 2010
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360
So All the parts for my new pc will be here some time next week and I will be embarking on my first ever pc build. I have read through greywolf's guide and it was very helpful but there are loads of little questions that need answering! I suppose I'm like all new builders, very nervous about killing bits of my hardware. So I thought it would be a good idea for the more experienced members to share little tips, tricks or their basic routine when putting a PC together to help noobs like me. Such as:
  • Do you build it outside the case to check that all the parts work first?
  • What kind of surface do you build on?
  • What order do you install your parts?
  • Do you take off the factory TIM and apply your own?
  • How do you avoid static damage to your parts?
  • Then what do you do when it's built? are there things to adjust in the BIOS, partition HDD's and all that jazz?
 
Do you build it outside the case to check that all the parts work first?
No. I think the fewer things I do, the less likely I am to do something wrong.

What kind of surface do you build on?
Kitchen worktop normally. It's just the biggest workspace I have.

What order do you install your parts?
Cpu into Mobo, then Mobo into Case, then RAM, then Cooler, then everything else. Cables last.

Do you take off the factory TIM and apply your own?
Nope. I use a Freezer 7 cooler which comes with TIM applied, I opted not to replace it because applying TIM is just another thing I could get wrong.

How do you avoid static damage to your parts?
I don't do anything.

Then what do you do when it's built?
Nothing. Overclocking is just another thing I can get wrong, and I don't need extra performance, I buy good parts that are already fast. I don't partition, don't see the point.

So for me it's all about excluding steps where I can make mistakes.
 
Do you build it outside the case to check that all the parts work first?

This is generally a personal preference. Some people like to test it works out of the case and maybe it is a good idea. Me, I will instal cpu, ram and as much as the cpu cooler as I can before putting in the case then building the rest.

What kind of surface do you build on?

Desk with an anti-static mat to sit the parts on.

What order do you install your parts?

Relates to question 1 as depends how you want to build it but personally - cpu, ram, cpu cooler back plate, then into case, psu, gpu, hdds, optical drivers then plug all cables in.

Do you take off the factory TIM and apply your own?

Depends on cooler and TIM. Reviews for H50 said it is good TIM so I left it, though others I would change if necessary.

How do you avoid static damage to your parts?

Anti-static mat, anti static wrist band - Some people work without them but I like the peace of mind when handling hundreds/thousands pounds worth of components. Also try to always pick up the motherboard from the edge so you don't touch any of the contact on the bottom or chips on top.

Then what do you do when it's built? are there things to adjust in the BIOS,
partition HDD's and all that jazz?

As far as I know, all the parts should be automatically detected so in that respect no. Could be worth checking that everything is set to right voltages and ram timing is as per specifitcation. Partitioning hdd is upto you, though you can do this to your OS drive while installing windows and the others in windows.

I think that is everything, I am sure other people will state their preference or correct anything I got wrong.
 
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* Do you build it outside the case to check that all the parts work first?
no build inside first.


* What kind of surface do you build on?
wooden table for lots of space


* What order do you install your parts?
cpu,ram,headsink, in case, cables


* Do you take off the factory TIM and apply your own?



* How do you avoid static damage to your parts?
by wearing an anti-static wristband


* Then what do you do when it's built? are there things to adjust in the BIOS, partition HDD's and all that jazz?
nope install OS then good to go
 
Do you build it outside the case to check that all the parts work first?
Nope

What kind of surface do you build on?
Coffee table or fold out table.

What order do you install your parts?
billysielu said:
Cpu into Mobo, then Mobo into Case, then RAM, then Cooler, then everything else. Cables last.
Click to expand...
Basically the same as billy :)

Do you take off the factory TIM and apply your own?
Waterblock so yes I have to. If its a brand new air cooler then it depends if I know its decent stuff or not :)

How do you avoid static damage to your parts?
Say what?

Then what do you do when it's built?
Start it up and make sure its working :) Then install OS and if its my own build, overclock it after.
 
ellingham said:
Why do people take the mick out of anti static wristbands?
Click to expand...

To me its OTT. Generally I just touch a bare metal part of a radiator before I begin. I don't touch the contact pads, pins or circuit board, and just hold whatever it is by the edges or casing. So far I have had no visible signs of static damage.

I might actually get a stick of RAM or something one day and charge it with a Van de Graaff generator to see what it does.
 
ellingham said:
Why do people take the mick out of anti static wristbands?
Click to expand...

No idea, but a £2.50 strap vs piece of mind not having to RMA a brand new bit of kit you have just spent the best part of your monthly wage packet on... I'd rather somebody took the mick.

I know its not really needed, I built my first half dozen personal machines without one, I just got in to the habbit when I made and fixed PC's for a few years (looks good to the customers)

* Do you build it outside the case to check that all the parts work first?
I build inside the case, building it outside, taking it apart and then building it again inside the case give you more chance to break something. I do attach the cpu and cooler to the motherboard before I put this in the case, sometimes I'm unable to fix these things when they are in situ due to the case design.

* What kind of surface do you build on?
Kitchen table, any large clean solid surface. Try not to use anything that has any fibres/hairs. Although I very rarely place anything on the table itself, I tend to put things on the packaging that the components come in.

* What order do you install your parts?
Motherboard, CPU, Cooler, RAM, PSU, GPU and then drives/fans

* Do you take off the factory TIM and apply your own?
Depends on the cooler and how much of an OCD you have on shaving a few degrees of temp. Generally I use the pre-supplied/spread TIM, on builds that I know I will be heavily overclocking I apply my own.

* How do you avoid static damage to your parts?
As above

* Then what do you do when it's built? are there things to adjust in the BIOS, partition HDD's and all that jazz?

I check the bios, manually set the speed of the ram and other such things. Other silly things like changing the boot sequences. Oh and the system clock.
I tend not to partition HDDs, I think now with the improvements in software and the relative cheapness of drives there is no real need.
 
Do you build it outside the case to check that all the parts work first?
No I just build it in the case and if there a problem just pull the plug out on a few things till it works :)

What kind of surface do you build on?
Carpet or Glass

What order do you install your parts?
doesn't realy matter just make sure there space to get thing in once the first parts are in Eg.. Motherboard, CPU, Heatsink

Do you take off the factory TIM and apply your own?
I use water blocks so yes

How do you avoid static damage to your parts?
I dont and never in ten years [ touch wood ] had any damage from it

Then what do you do when it's built? are there things to adjust in the BIOS, partition HDD's and all that jazz?

Depends first thing I do is setup the memory timings then install the OS and stuff and make sure it works ok and don't crash before I start overclocking
 
[*]Do you build it outside the case to check that all the parts work first?
Never

[*]What kind of surface do you build on?
The motherboard box... Case on carpet.

[*]What order do you install your parts?
Motherboard - CPU - Cooler - Optical drive into case -PSU Into case - Mobo into case - GPU - HD

[*]Do you take off the factory TIM and apply your own?
If it's a build for myself, yes. If it's a mate and it's just stock cooler I'm using I tend to leave it as they are never overly fussed.

[*]How do you avoid static damage to your parts?
Touch unpainted part of radiator...

[*]Then what do you do when it's built? are there things to adjust in the BIOS, partition HDD's and all that jazz?
BIOS will usually be the RAID setup, turn off stuff I don't need, change boot order, etc... Rarely would I apply any sort of OC before testing...

Maybe got a bit careless nowadays but I've never really had any problems during builds.
 
ellingham said:
See it's little things like this that worry me, is it easy?

Also (this is a question for everyone, how do you check if a CPU cooler is compatible with your mobo?

Thanks for all the answers so far.
Click to expand...

Yes its easy, you go into the BIOS and to the page with RAM settings. The timings will be set to auto, so you set it to manual and put the correct timings in. Once you learn you way around the BIOS its all pretty straight forward for the basic stuff. Plus you don't have to have the timings set to manual right off the bat so you can get em right whenever.

CPU cooler will generally fit the mobo as long as it is compatible for the socket you are using. eg 1366 socket mobo will need a 1366 socket compatible cooler. Some of the larger coolers can over hang the memory slots etc but rarely causes trouble.
 
Do you build it outside the case to check that all the parts work first?

No. Always build mine straight into the case.#

What kind of surface do you build on?

I have a fold down table especially for building on.

What order do you install your parts?

CPU into board. Board into case. Ram into board. Waterblocks and then GPU.

Do you take off the factory TIM and apply your own?

Waterblocks here so yes.

How do you avoid static damage to your parts?

Don't do anything.

Then what do you do when it's built? are there things to adjust in the BIOS, partition HDD's and all that jazz?

Go into bios and enter correct ram timings and voltage, disable things i don't need. Install OS followed by drivers and then tweak the OS. Last and most importantly, overclock it all.
 
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greywolf said:
CPU cooler will generally fit the mobo as long as it is compatible for the socket you are using. eg 1366 socket mobo will need a 1366 socket compatible cooler. Some of the larger coolers can over hang the memory slots etc but rarely causes trouble.
Click to expand...

Okay so the mobo I got is this
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=mb-403-as
the socket is am3?
so would this cpu cooler be compatible?
http://www.thermalright.com/new_a_page/product_page/cpu/tb120/product_cpu_cooler_tb120.html
 
Do you build it outside the case to check that all the parts work first?

No. I don't think it is worth the hassle.

What kind of surface do you build on?

I use a very large dining room table. I put most of the gear on top of the anti static bags they come with while working on them.

What order do you install your parts?

I usually install the PSU into the case first, then CPU onto mobo, then RAM, then CPU cooler, then optical drives and hard drives, then mobo in case and then graphics card. All cables after (except PSU ones).

Do you take off the factory TIM and apply your own?

If I use the stock cooler I just use the pre applied stuff but if I have bought an after market cooler I usually use the stuff that comes in the syringe :D

How do you avoid static damage to your parts?

Touch a radiator pipe before I begin.

Then what do you do when it's built? are there things to adjust in the BIOS, partition HDD's and all that jazz?

I usually change the boot order in the bios, set RAM timings, time and date etc. then install windows. I check all settings roughly before booting and after successfully installing and getting everything set up and confirmed it is all stable, I begin overclocking :D
 
Q How do you avoid static damage to your parts?

A. if u dont have static bands
1, Dont shuffle along on your knees acros a carpit if building down low wile getting parts.
2, Each time b4 you touch anything touch the metal casing or some kind of metall around you as your grounded any static will be grounded or you willget a static shock
Thats kind of it really Try keep moving down as mcuh as possible as in shuffling around like i said nad you should b fien to make sure touch something grounded before you touch anything all the time.
 
Do you build it outside the case to check that all the parts work first?
Naaaah ... to much effort.

What kind of surface do you build on?
usually desk or floor (both very big and wooden)

What order do you install your parts?
Take a good hard look at the case/strip things like HDD bays out to make room. Try to work out what cables i need where. PSU goes in first for me. Then i place the motherboard (but leave it loose), and route power cables / fan cables / front switch and LED cables appropriately (ie, behind the motherboard or if the case has them, cable routing holes). If the cooler needs a backplate, i would then remove the motherboard and fit the cpu/cooler, then screw the motherboard down. If the cooler just clips onto the front, i would leave it and just screw the motherboard down as it is. I prefer leaving the cooler off as it gives me more space in the case to work with. Next plug existing cables in. Then HDD/optical and appropriate cabling. Finally, populate the motherboard with RAM, GFX, add in cards and, if not done already, cpu and cooler.

Do you take off the factory TIM and apply your own?
Generally, yes, but i guess it depends on the cooler

How do you avoid static damage to your parts?
Touch the copper pipe on a radiatorevery 15 mins or so.

Then what do you do when it's built? are there things to adjust in the BIOS, partition HDD's and all that jazz.
Umm ... fire it up. Assuming everything works, enter BIOS and make sure everythings detected properly. Set some basic settings like fan speeds, quick POST, disabling ports i wont need etc. Get windows installed and running. Play around for a bit, then back to the bios and have a crack at overclocking. Again, partitioning is just too much effort

essay over.
 
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ellingham said:
Do you build it outside the case to check that all the parts work first?
Click to expand...
I go with the assumption its going to work and that I would probably break it if I put it in after checking.

What kind of surface do you build on?
Click to expand...
I built my last one on my floor, either that or on my desk. It does make finding screws harder though.

What order do you install your parts?
Click to expand...
PSU > Mobo > CPU > Cooler > Memory > GPU. Normally it will come down to when I get the parts. I always put the PSU in first as it grounds the entire case.
How do you avoid static damage to your parts?
Click to expand...
Since the case is grounded I just plug the PSU in, make sure the switch is off at both ends and then rest my arm on part of the case.
Then what do you do when it's built? are there things to adjust in the BIOS, partition HDD's and all that jazz?
Click to expand...
I turned on AHCI and installed Windows. Some people might update the BIOS and tweak some other things.
 
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