Your building routine?

* Do you build it outside the case to check that all the parts work first?

- No

* What kind of surface do you build on?

Table/worktop/coffee table/desk/floor

* What order do you install your parts?

If it's a new case I familiarize myself with it and the mobo and all parts by laying them all out. Then generally speaking CPU and heatsink first outside of case, then ram, then put mobo in and the rest follows.

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

Yes. Always artic silver 5.

* How do you avoid static damage to your parts?

I just install them and never worry about. 5-10 years of mucking about with components and I've never had an issue.

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

All sorts. Depends if it is new or just a rebuild of existing hardware. Overclocking can take a week or two to get a profile you are happy with. Benching to see baselines and voerclock improvements. Sort and tweek the OS. Drivers etc.
 
I recently built a new one, it went something like this:

Do you build it outside the case to check that all the parts work first?
CPU+heatsink & ram outside the case but didnt check to see if it works or not.

What kind of surface do you build on?
My computer desk.

What order do you install your parts?
CPU, RAM, Heatsink then the rest. (Although this build I thought I had everything in and wired up so I switched it on and though "DAMN its not showing anything on the screen - must be something faulty or the gfx card is not in place". When I checked it was actually missing the entire graphics card :p (still in the box).

Do you take off the factory TIM and apply your own?
Applied some fresh stuff myself.

How do you avoid static damage to your parts?
Probably an old wifes tale but I just touch the radiator beside my desk every few minutes and try to not build my computer wearing anything that generates static.

Then what do you do when it's built? are there things to adjust in the BIOS,
partition HDD's and all that jazz?
Switch it on, hope it all works then install windows. Then install it again when i find out from OcUK that I didnt install in AHCI mode onto a SSD. :(
Didnt bother with partitions, just OS on the SSD, everything else on a normal hard drive. Dabbled with a little bit of overclocking but not too far.
 
Quite hard to say seeing as RAM technology always improve. If I was to put it in exact figures I guess 1600mhz with CAS 7-7-7-24 timings would be right, for this moment of time...
 
I've had all kinds of different RAM and not noticed a difference in performance. These days I just pick Corsair for stability and get whatever seems like standard issue. So I just got 6GB of XMS3 this time round, frequency I got from my mobo spec.
 
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Do you build it outside the case to check that all the parts work first?

Yes, because one day you will complete a build and have a dead board, after all of that aggro getting the cabling neat. Put the motherboard box with anti-static bag on a table, the board ontop and fire it up.

What kind of surface do you build on?

Desk

What order do you install your parts?

RAM, CPU and then Heatsink onto mobo. PSU into case, motherboard into case, graphics card and then anything else. Cabling last.

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

Not bought a cooler with factory TIM in years. Most performance heatsinks have good thermal compound applied, so I would use that.

How do you avoid static damage to your parts?

Dont put them on the carpet + general common sense. Anti-static wrist straps are ok, but completely unnecesarry if you are careful.

Then what do you do when it's built?

Turn on, enter bios and check temps. Watch temps for ~10mins or so to make sure everything is seated ok, tweak settings in bios. Install windows, copy over documents, benchmark/stress test.
 
This is my build room:

From this:
workshop1.jpg


to this :

workshop2.jpg


Do you build it outside the case to check that all the parts work first?
No, Although it seems like a good idea, it's counterproductive.

What kind of surface do you build on?
as above

What order do you install your parts?
Fit the case fittings>PSU> Motherboard> HDDs and Opticals > Power and leads

Do you take off the factory TIM and apply your own?
If its a customer OEM machines then no, as by doing so invalidates any warranty. Personally, yes.

How do you avoid static damage to your parts?
I have anti-static mats and 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?
 
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Do you build it outside the case to check that all the parts work first?
Click to expand...
No, I put the CPU, HSF, RAM onto the mobo outside the case first (as I find it easier) however I don't test it at that point.
What kind of surface do you build on?
Click to expand...
Basically any desk space, ontop of the packaging the mobo came in.
What order do you install your parts?
Click to expand...
CPU>HSF>RAM>PSU into case>mobo into case>GFX card>power connections>HDD/Optical drives.
Do you take off the factory TIM and apply your own?
Click to expand...
Depends what reviews say about the pre-applied TIM
How do you avoid static damage to your parts?
Click to expand...
either wear a anti-static wristband, or touch a ground point (radiators are good) every few mins. Also, don't build it in a carpeted room wearing socks (very good at building up static)
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...
First thing I do is install the OS (no updates etc yet) then OC until I'm happy/can't go any further, then I install the OS updates, other programs etc. You don't have to change in the BIOS if you just want to run your PC as it is (it's basically plug & play), but if you want optimised performance/reduced power usage, then some tweeking is required.
 
Admiral Huddy said:
This is my build room:
Click to expand...

Nice. It'd be a pleasure to work in there. :)


Do you build it outside the case to check that all the parts work first?

As if! Get it in the case and start sweating when you press the power button for the first time. It's tradition. :D

What kind of surface do you build on?

My computer desk. Or the bed.

What order do you install your parts?

CPU in to Mobo, slap on heatsink (least favourite bit, but these days the job has got easier), slam in the ram and then the GFX. Place in case, wire up. Hope it works.

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

No. Nothing has incinerated itself yet.

How do you avoid static damage to your parts?

Touch a bare metal bit on the radiator, which is near afore mentioned bed. :D

Then what do you do when it's built?

Do a bit of cable tidying then look round and try to work out why the room looks like the aftermath of an explosion in a computer shop. It happens every time, even for minor upgrades. :(
 
ellingham said:
  • Do you build it outside the case to check that all the parts work first?
    Nope. It's a hassle. I'd rather assume it works, in my experience always has done.
  • What kind of surface do you build on?
    Worktop in Conservatory
  • What order do you install your parts?
    PSU into case. CPU into Motherboard then into case. Cooler. Ram. Hard-Drives then GFX and other expansion cards.
  • Do you take off the factory TIM and apply your own?
    Pre-applied. Its the best option, why would you want to remove?
  • How do you avoid static damage to your parts?
    Plastic Gloves - Purple Nitrile to be specific
  • Then what do you do when it's built? are there things to adjust in the BIOS, partition HDD's and all that jazz?
    Install OS enjoy! :D
Click to expand...
 
Lunatic Dreyfus said:
look round and try to work out why the room looks like the aftermath of an explosion in a computer shop.
Click to expand...

Lol, I had forgotten about that step. Between Delivery box, Overclockers packaging (seriously how do you guys fit that much in one box), components boxes, component inner boxes, plastic containers I managed to fill half the room. Still picking up the odd wire cable tie off the floor too.
 
Last stages pick up all spare unused screws, cables, leads, jumpers, clips etc. store for future use in jars, drawers, boxes.
Put all software into CD folders. Make file with receipts, settings, manuals etc. for end user.
Using Russian doll concept, pack all packaging into largest box and push into loft or give to end user to dispose of.
 
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