Anything new builders should think about?

[datamestonic]

So I've recently ordered all the components I need for my new computer. They will be coming in tomorrow and I was wondering if there's anything I should know about before I put it together. Any newbie-esque mistakes that people tend to make that I should avoid? Anything in particular I should watch out for or make sure to do?

Some of the main components if there's something special about them I should know: LL V-1000, ASUS a8n deluxe mobo, dual core AMD proc, 7800gtx, and raptor HDD. I also got a SI-120 heatsink for the CPU and a diagnostic bay for monitoring and controlling fans.

 

[Varun]

Make sure you are grounded once in a while to the chassis of the computer to avoid ESD.

Don't put too much thermal compound on the CPU. Be sure to read the instructions on the brand you purchased. This won't apply if you bought a retail heatsink as it will come with a thermal pad usually that is pretty foolproof.

Don't force anything. Sometimes things are snug like RAM in the slots, but never force it.

Don't forget to have fun!

 

[alimoalem]

make sure everything is on antistatic stuff if you're doing this in a carpeted room

assemble from the base up, and from cheapest to most expensive. so put the mobo in, add the drives, then the ram, then the gpu, then the cpu. DO THE CPU LAST. put all case fans on first

make sure that nothing is plugged into a socket and that the case is on off anyway just to be safe.

i've never installed cooling but what i would do is apply as you put the part in. so if you have a gpu cooler, put it on along with the gpu.

 

[datamestonic]

Thanks guys! Well I got antistatic gloves and an antistatic wrist-strap so I think I'm good in that department. I also got demagnetized tools.

One question: what's a good surface to put it together on? Is wood good? Plastic? How about one of those pads you usually put on carpets when you want to be able to move your office chair around?

 

[xbassman]

A chair pad is good.... wood bench is good as well.

You will find the wrist strap a little annoying. I just always keep a piece of bare metal close by to discharge before handling components.

I wish I had thought about these things before I built my first box. I layed my components out on the carpet, sat down (without shoes), and asembled it. I was quite upset when it didn't show any signs of life.

 

[DasFox]

Go SLOW and enjoy.

Make sure in your BIOS that you get your CPU speed correct and don't end up running it over and underclocked. That is unless the bios on that board will auto detect and set it up, but I'm not familar with that bios.

 

[leigh6]

Make sure you have the following:

1. Glue Stick
2. Tweezers
3. Magnifying Glass
4. A good phillips screwdriver
5. Flashlight

6. And a lot of patience and ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[datamestonic]

Thank you for the new responses, a few questions:

Where would I find out the correct CPU speed for my processor? Would it say in the manual? Furthermore, is it different when you have a dual core processor? Do I have to set two separate speeds both to the same, or will it automatically put both on the same?

Also, what would one need glue for when setting up a computer?

 

[leigh6]

When screwing down the motherboard it is sometimes very tough to get to the corner screws. By using a little glue stick on the screwdriver it will help getting them in.

If you fail, and the screw drops. That is what the tweezers are for.

When asked this I usually answer the glue stick question by saying. "Oh, that is to attach the Heat Sink Fan to the processor". But it is too late.................

 

[V00D00]

You should know that your graphics card will depreciate in value significantly, and your investment in that card was a waste.

Other than that, there is nothing hard about it. Plug in everything to the slot that it looks it might fit into. A monkey could assembly a computer.

You shouldn't have to mess around with any CPU speed settings. Every processor has the relevant information stored inside it. So your motherboard should recognize what speed it is.

One thing most people neglect to do is read their motherboard manual. This peice of literature will help you out if you ever have any problems or weird issues. You'll probably find weird things that will make you say "huh, that's wierd" to yourself.

If you use any glue, then you're doing something wrong. The only thing you'll need that's even close to that is the thermal paste. This is to make a good thermal connection between the cpu and the heatsink. If you use glue for that, then you're a moron.

Anti-static gloves are quite excessive. An anti-static strap in my opinion is also a bit unnecessary. As long as you stay stationary when you're putting everything together the only thing you need to do is touch your case and you've just grounded yourself. Just do that periodicaly throughout the build and there is no need for any annoying anti-static wrist strap.

 

[jackschmittusa]

Cheap plastic placemats from the local dollar store make a good surface to assemble on.

Don't put any drinks on the same bench/table you have your parts on. "Murphy" loves sticky, conductive liquids and electrical stuff.

I prefer to install the cpu/hsf and ram before I put the mb in the case. Many cases are very cramped and even dark when you have your hands in it too. With mb on the bench, it is easy to seat the cpu, easy to apply the heatsink compound, and you are less likely to slip with a screwdriver when working clips/screws for the hsf. It is often hard to install ram after the vid card is in. Also much eaiser to make sure the ram is properly aligned when seating it, and easier to verify it is seated properly when the mb is on the bench.

I also usually power the mb up on the bench (with cpu, ram, vid installed) (note: I place 2 gum erasers under the slot side edge of the md so there is clearance for the vid card bracket to overhang). This tests the basic components before a lot of assembly is done, and I usually make all of my changes to the BIOS settings at the same time.

Use scissors to open any sealed bags. Not too much fun to tug on a bag hard, have it give suddenly, and parts fly all over. "Murphy" will also try to make your hands knock a new drive of the bench when they snap apart too.

If you find yourself unsure of something, don't guess! Find out the right way. Reading manuals will NOT make your testicles smaller.

You will remember your first build for a long time, make it an enjoyable experience.

 

[NurseRN]

Burn a little of the good stuff before you start; take it ALL in. If you mess something up, you won' t rem. how it happened, thus you won't have any reasons to be mad Have fun and never go back comparing prices on hardware after a month or two of using your computer. Same goes after breaking in your first year of computing pleasure. If you do though, make sure you have a bottle of antidepressants handy; you will need it!

Enjoy!

 

[spc hink]

dont forget to put the motherboard i/o backplate on before you screw the mobo in.

 

[Varun]

Originally posted by: datamestonic
Thanks guys! Well I got antistatic gloves and an antistatic wrist-strap so I think I'm good in that department. I also got demagnetized tools.

One question: what's a good surface to put it together on? Is wood good? Plastic? How about one of those pads you usually put on carpets when you want to be able to move your office chair around?

A magnetic screwdriver is the only way to put a computer together. Go get one of those!

 

[jhansman]

I also use a magnetic screwdriver and swear buy it (especially for those pesky corner mounting screws), but many will tell you you're playing with fire by introducing a magnetized tool into a silicon environment. The secret? A steady, slow hand. Take your time an enjoy yourself. For a geek, few things are as satisfying as building a system from the ground up, especially when you get that single beep at bootup. Have fun!

 

[Phluxed]

I'm close to putting my new machine together. Just waiting for my opteron to arrive then we're going to put it together at work here. It's very staticy in the building, so we're building it in the server room. Temp controlled and ceramic floors.

 

[Varun]

Originally posted by: jhansman
I also use a magnetic screwdriver and swear buy it (especially for those pesky corner mounting screws), but many will tell you you're playing with fire by introducing a magnetized tool into a silicon environment. The secret? A steady, slow hand. Take your time an enjoy yourself. For a geek, few things are as satisfying as building a system from the ground up, especially when you get that single beep at bootup. Have fun!

It's not playing with fire. The small magnetic field from a screwdriver will absolutely not harm anything inside a computer, unless you jab it through the motherboard.

 

[KoolDrew]

mechBgon's guide to building your first PC from parts

 

[leigh6]

I am old school. Glue stick for me!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[mgo]

mechBgon's guide is a must.

 

[xanis]

Some things to keep in mind:

-Don't try to cut corners and get cheap, no-name brand parts. You will be sorry.
-Get a good PSU. It would suck to spend a ton of money only to get a crap PSU annd have it ruin your whole system.
-Pretty lights do not equal faster performance. They equal heat and heat is bad.
-Double-check your order before you get the stuff. I made that mistake once. Not fun.

 

[Zepper]

You should THINK about everything you do all of the time! The lack of the capacity for rational thought (pretty much completely rooted out by the govt school system as evidenced by the number of people that actually believe the John Kerry (self-admitted war criminal and traitor) was a valid presidential candidate) is at the root of much of our problems now.

.bh.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: Xanis
Some things to keep in mind:

-Don't try to cut corners and get cheap, no-name brand parts. You will be sorry.
-Get a good PSU. It would suck to spend a ton of money only to get a crap PSU annd have it ruin your whole system.
-Pretty lights do not equal faster performance. They equal heat and heat is bad.
-Double-check your order before you get the stuff. I made that mistake once. Not fun.

yes they do equate heat...but not really,,,the heat produced will have no effect on temps inside the case or CPU temps!
As long as you have adequate airflow yoiu will be fine.
Even with no airflow the heat is negligiable!!

Good Luck!!

I have lots of pretty lights....
XP120 w/coolermaster LED fan.... CPU temp 27c.......
Zalman 9500 ....CPU fan 26c......


Go fogure!!

 

[harobikes333]

I've read all of these posts and I think this thread is worth bumping up!!!