The Build...***Cable Management****

Page 5 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.

VirtualLarry

No Lifer
Aug 25, 2001
56,548
10,171
126
Hey man, take as long as you need to to build your PC. It's your baby. No-one should diss you because you want to take your time building.

I can build (physically assemble) a PC in about an hour, but I've built quite a few PCs. It then takes me another 2-3 hours to install Windows, tweak, and install Windows Updates.

I find the longest time is finding the motivation to do it, that usually takes me a week to work up to. :p
 

stargazr

Diamond Member
Jun 13, 2010
3,947
3,346
136
This dude started building his PC yesterday around this time; it should've been done in an hour tops.

Taking this long to build a PC is just ridiculous and completely unnecessary, I built my PC in 30 mins and everythings running smoothly and I'm sure that this PC is gonna last years.

30 mins? Was it your first build? On the subject of thermal paste alone it probably took him over 30 min. to sort out the good advice amongst all the varied comments. Getting help on the internet is not an exact science.

This isn't a sub-$500 budget machine, he has a lot of money tied up here and probably wants to do his best. Plus he has the balls to do what may be his first build with a new platform. The forums are swarming with SB board & BIOS issues and if he has problems, eventually he will work through them, and that's where you really learn - fixing the problems. I'm sure by his next build he will catch up to you in more ways than one.

My first build went fast, did a lot of research and it worked great but looked like shit ~ I still struggle with cable management. I think it's an art.
 

Anomaly1964

Platinum Member
Nov 21, 2010
2,460
4
81
30 mins? Was it your first build? On the subject of thermal paste alone it probably took him over 30 min. to sort out the good advice amongst all the varied comments. Getting help on the internet is not an exact science.

This isn't a sub-$500 budget machine, he has a lot of money tied up here and probably wants to do his best. Plus he has the balls to do what may be his first build with a new platform. The forums are swarming with SB board & BIOS issues and if he has problems, eventually he will work through them, and that's where you really learn - fixing the problems. I'm sure by his next build he will catch up to you in more ways than one.

My first build went fast, did a lot of research and it worked great but looked like shit ~ I still struggle with cable management. I think it's an art.

Hey man, take as long as you need to to build your PC. It's your baby. No-one should diss you because you want to take your time building.

I can build (physically assemble) a PC in about an hour, but I've built quite a few PCs. It then takes me another 2-3 hours to install Windows, tweak, and install Windows Updates.

I find the longest time is finding the motivation to do it, that usually takes me a week to work up to. :p


I REALLY appreciate the support fellas. You guys nailed it, I want this thing working right and looking CLEAN inside!

I've even come to grips that I may need to re-apply the thermal paste if it will drop my temps 5C...
 

stargazr

Diamond Member
Jun 13, 2010
3,947
3,346
136
I've even come to grips that I may need to re-apply the thermal paste if it will drop my temps 5C...

I agree with mfenn that your idle temp seemed a bit high, and it looks like too much compound on the CPU. The heatsink should be pretty hot to the touch after running awhile. Here's some information on your cooler type -

http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.p...sk=view&id=150&Itemid=62&limit=1&limitstart=5

It brings up the point that the worse the quality of finish, especially the heatsink mounting face, the more TIM required. But only enough to fill the depressions, not create an entire layer between the two surfaces. Also mounting pressure is a factor in how the paste spreads out so that any excess will squeeze out the sides. There's a good sticky thread on Intel's push-pins to make sure the pins are oriented properly when preparing for install. You can inspect the back of the board to judge whether the pins are all the way in.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2047683&highlight=intel+push+pins+sticky
 

Anomaly1964

Platinum Member
Nov 21, 2010
2,460
4
81
I agree with mfenn that your idle temp seemed a bit high, and it looks like too much compound on the CPU. The heatsink should be pretty hot to the touch after running awhile. Here's some information on your cooler type -

http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.p...sk=view&id=150&Itemid=62&limit=1&limitstart=5

It brings up the point that the worse the quality of finish, especially the heatsink mounting face, the more TIM required. But only enough to fill the depressions, not create an entire layer between the two surfaces. Also mounting pressure is a factor in how the paste spreads out so that any excess will squeeze out the sides. There's a good sticky thread on Intel's push-pins to make sure the pins are oriented properly when preparing for install. You can inspect the back of the board to judge whether the pins are all the way in.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2047683&highlight=intel+push+pins+sticky


Thanks...

So maybe this round I just apply the paste to the CPU and NOT on the HS itself...?

Were it you, would you remove and redo in the case or pull the MB out to re-do it (keep in mind I have everything loaded in the case at this point)...
 

stargazr

Diamond Member
Jun 13, 2010
3,947
3,346
136
So maybe this round I just apply the paste to the CPU and NOT on the HS itself...? Were it you, would you remove and redo in the case or pull the MB out to re-do it (keep in mind I have everything loaded in the case at this point)...

At this point I would just wait, although continue to monitor the temps. Looks like that new BIOS is nice for that! Then if you mess with it later I agree, try applying to heatsink only(because it has the inferior finish most likely).
 

Anomaly1964

Platinum Member
Nov 21, 2010
2,460
4
81
At this point I would just wait, although continue to monitor the temps. Looks like that new BIOS is nice for that! Then if you mess with it later I agree, try applying to heatsink only(because it has the inferior finish most likely).

A new bios beyond 1253?
 

stargazr

Diamond Member
Jun 13, 2010
3,947
3,346
136
I was just talking about the screen shots in post #37, I assume it's the Asus UEFI BIOS? I don't have SB yet :|
 

Anomaly1964

Platinum Member
Nov 21, 2010
2,460
4
81
Go to the asus website, download the latest drivers and maybe the latest BIOS you might have to flash it.


Go take a peek at the motherboard forums, I am not the only one having the SSD/HDD issues you were trying to help me through last night...

Misery loves company!
 

stargazr

Diamond Member
Jun 13, 2010
3,947
3,346
136
I just saw a new post by Gary Key, the Asus update guy. Hopefully it will be something useful.
 

yottabit

Golden Member
Jun 5, 2008
1,488
516
146
I've built dozens of PC's over the years.

When I built my last one, I spent most of the day at it.

Taking my time, doing the "build & boot" outside the case...

Why do people do a build and boot outside the case? I really don't understand this, when I saw the picture of the OP doing this I was startled. All I see is a much higher chance of frying something. I guess if you have a dedicated "open" testing rig that's something different... but if you are just leaving your MOBO resting on a piece of cardboard to me that's risky.

If the components do work you want them in the case anyway...I typically build the system with just the PSU, assemble the mobo/CPU/ram seperately, drop it in bolt it down and boot it up. Is there a real reason to test it outside? I'm not trying to be a jerk, I honestly want to know if there is a reason why
 

mnewsham

Lifer
Oct 2, 2010
14,539
428
136
Why do people do a build and boot outside the case? I really don't understand this, when I saw the picture of the OP doing this I was startled. All I see is a much higher chance of frying something. I guess if you have a dedicated "open" testing rig that's something different... but if you are just leaving your MOBO resting on a piece of cardboard to me that's risky.

If the components do work you want them in the case anyway...I typically build the system with just the PSU, assemble the mobo/CPU/ram seperately, drop it in bolt it down and boot it up. Is there a real reason to test it outside? I'm not trying to be a jerk, I honestly want to know if there is a reason why

Because it allows you to troubleshoot far easier if something goes wrong (test each RAM stick independently) and also allows you to make changes in a non-inclosed space. (not in a case)
 

Patrick Wolf

Platinum Member
Jan 5, 2005
2,443
0
0
Right. ^
Building a boot outside the case is to see if all the core components are working. If they aren't it's much easier to swap and test parts until you find the culprit. If everything works but then doesn't boot inside the case you know you made a mistake somewhere.
 
Last edited:

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
64,137
12,457
136
Right. ^
Building a boot outside the case is to see if all the core components are working. If they aren't it's much easier to swap and test parts until you find the culprit. If everything works but then doesn't boot inside the case you know you made a mistake somewhere.

Yep. When everything is sitting right in front of you on an insulated tabletop/desk, it's MUCH easier to make changes if needed...especially for us "ham-handed" folks with big meat hooks. (I wear a size 15 wedding ring)
Then, if you need to swap RAM, reseat your cooler, etc., it's right there. PLUS, as Patrick says, if you get everything working out of the case and it doesn't work when you put it IN the case...you've eliminated hardware problems...and probably have a ground issue in the case mounting...a stand-off in the wrong place or something similar.
I learned the hard way more than 10 years ago.
Mount the motherboard, CPU, cooler, RAM, video card, ODD's...doesn't work...take everything apart...try again...repeat...repeat...repeat...only to find one stand-off hitting one of the motherboard traces.
 

Patrick Wolf

Platinum Member
Jan 5, 2005
2,443
0
0
Mount the motherboard, CPU, cooler, RAM, video card, ODD's...doesn't work...take everything apart...try again...repeat...repeat...repeat...only to find one stand-off hitting one of the motherboard traces.

LOL, same thing happened to me. System was acting funny with BSODs, errors, random shutdowns, etc. then finally nothing. A stand-off was touching the board and eventually it fried. Learned my lesson. :p
 
Nov 26, 2005
15,158
388
126
Motherboard now in case, man this thing is ROOMY!

Gonna really take my time and try to get orderly cable management...

MBincase.jpg

Is that a motherboard cover???
 

mfenn

Elite Member
Jan 17, 2010
22,400
5
71
www.mfenn.com
I REALLY appreciate the support fellas. You guys nailed it, I want this thing working right and looking CLEAN inside!

I've even come to grips that I may need to re-apply the thermal paste if it will drop my temps 5C...

Anomaly, you are one of the best new posters that we've had in a long time. Don't let a douchebag discourage you. This has been a really fun thread, keep it updated!

Why do people do a build and boot outside the case? I really don't understand this, when I saw the picture of the OP doing this I was startled. All I see is a much higher chance of frying something. I guess if you have a dedicated "open" testing rig that's something different... but if you are just leaving your MOBO resting on a piece of cardboard to me that's risky.

If the components do work you want them in the case anyway...I typically build the system with just the PSU, assemble the mobo/CPU/ram seperately, drop it in bolt it down and boot it up. Is there a real reason to test it outside? I'm not trying to be a jerk, I honestly want to know if there is a reason why

You're actually much more likely to fry something inside the case than on a piece of cardboard. The "build-n-boot" method allows for easier troubleshooting and no worries as to whether or not a stray standoff or whatever is shorting out the board.