What should a person know before assembling their first computer?

05
2014-04
  • Questioner

    For people who are setting out to build a computer for the first time, there's a lot of information on this site about how to choose an appropriate set of components. But after searching for a while, I couldn't find that much about actually assembling the components once you've got them.

    Having gone through the process myself once, I know that it's not that complicated, but still: someone who's new to building a computer is confronted with the task of piecing together a half-dozen instruction manuals into one coherent procedure, and carrying that out while handling (seemingly) delicate electronics without even knowing how easy or hard it is to break something in the process. Basically, it can be a little intimidating. So with that in mind:

    What does someone need to know before setting out to assemble a computer from already-purchased parts?

    As I mentioned, I couldn't find any comprehensive guide on the site, but there are a few questions that touch on various aspects of it, which I've listed below as examples of the sort of information I might be looking for. I'm basically trying to have one reference - whether an answer here, or an external site, or both - where I can point new computer builders to get all the important tips and "gotchas" to watch out for, in one place.

    Tools & Accessories

    Procedures

    Testing & Troubleshooting

    Software (well, maybe not)

    A couple of these come close to being duplicates, but I don't think any of them is the all-inclusive reference I'm looking for.

    • Answers
  • Area 51

    Assuming you have all of the appropriate components and have taken the appropriate precautions to avoid static discharge, I think it is very important to install the CPU/heatsink and memory on the motherboard PRIOR to mounting the motherboard in the case. This gives you some freedom to operate, particularly on heatsinks which can be sort of a pain when installing. You can also use this opportunity to closely examine your motherboard and see where your auxiliary connectors for the case's power buttons/activity LEDs are going to go.

    Speaking of heatsinks, make sure you watch a Youtube video for your particular model to make sure you're doing it correctly. The tabs can easily break off, be obstructed by a metal support frame under your motherboard, and whole bunch of other potential issues that could arise.

    Once those are assembled, the rest is pretty easy/fun. Mount the motherboard, connect to the case's buttons and LEDs, then any PCI components, then get your SATA devices hooked up, and lastly, get your power supply in there and everything connected. I save the power supply for last because it can be a mess of cables and generally obstructive.

    Once everything is done, grab the motherboard manual in case you get some boot tones and need a reference (usually memory that isn't seated correctly), boot up and enjoy a Windows 7 or Linux install sequence!

    For drivers, I try to load as much on to a USB drive as possible, and I give them meaningful names (ATI Video Driver.exe instead of A1234907598.exe), and make sure I have ethernet/network drivers on there if needed. That way if a driver isn't working or isn't supported, I can hop on the net and download whatever I need.


    • Related Question

    computer building - What should I know to select a power supply?
  • opierce

    I am planning to build a computer in the next year. What should I know about power supplies before I buy one? I'm putting together a check-list, so nothing is too simple!


    • Related Answers
  • GalacticCowboy

    http://www.firingsquad.com/guides/power_supply/

    http://forums.techarena.in/guides-tutorials/1093105.htm

    Here are a few guides to help you understand better.

    • Get a decent estimate of what your computer power requirements are because you want a power supply with a higher wattage rating then your needs.
    • Make sure to get the most efficient power supply you can afford. One with greater then 80% efficiency. This will save you on your power bill and your power supply will produce less heat.
    • You want a power supply with a min wattage rating at least 20% higher than your actual need.
    • Make sure the power supply you purchase has all the connectors you will need. If you are running SLI (dual video cards) or have many hard drives, you will need to make sure you will be able to hook it all up. Also consider future expansion options.
    • Not all 500watt (or any rating) ps are the same. (efficiency, rails, and fan noise can vary greatly)
    • Make sure the rails of the power supply can power your graphics card min. amperage needs.
    • Keep in mind if you want a quiet computer to look at the sound level ratings of the fans. They even make silent power supplies with large heat sinks and no fans for those who want total silence.
    • Try not to cheap out on the power supply if you build a relatively expensive computer. It is one of the most ignored components of new system builds. You want good clean power.
    • Another reason to buy a larger one would if you plan to upgrade the machine significantly later on.

    Here are some reviews of power supplies available. Newegg.com is also a great place to look.

    http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/reviews/psu_power_supplies/

    Other good points brought up by other users:

    @GalacticCowboy Motherboard/PS compatibility, definantly read about a motherboard purchase to make sure this will not be an issue.

    @hanleyp Weight can be a rough estimate on a quality vs lower quality power supply. More weight commonly can possibly mean better beefier components and heat distribution.

  • Axxmasterr

    The main thing you need to consider when selecting a power supply is the power rating. make sure it has enough capacity to run all of the devices you plan to power with it.

    If you are starting from scratch then all you need do is keep a running total of power usage for all of the components you plan to populate the system with. If you add up all of the power usage values you should arrive at your gross power usage which should always be less than the capacity of your power supply. If your total power is more than your power supply is rated for, then it would be a good idea to select a unit which has a greater maximum capacity.

  • Michael Borgwardt

    Having a watt rating much higher than what you actually need is not desirable, because efficiency get much worse when you're operating below capacity. i.e. if you need 250W and buy a 500W unit then it may well operate at 60% efficiency even though it's declared to be 90%. And remember: more power used (or wasted) does not only mean a higher electricity bill, but also more heat, which in turn means more noise.

    Most systems are never significantly upgraded, so you should buy a power unit that supplies just a bit more than your maximum need.

  • hanleyp

    There is a lot of good information here. I have one more to add: Generally the heavier of two power supplies is the better one.

  • insta

    Please don't fall into the trap of slapping a 1200W PSU into a machine because it "might need it". You'd be surprised what a quality (Corsair, SeaSonic, newer Antec) power supply can actually handle. Add up the TDP's of your components. They won't draw more wattage than heat they can produce.

    I've gotten a Thuban X6 1100T, with an overclocked GTX 550Ti happily running on a 400W Cooler Master power supply (peak draw linpack + furmark is 395W!). All the power supply calculators online said I needed at least 650W for that machine, but the PSU is rated 100k hours MTBF @ 100% load, so why not? Reviews said it had great ripple control at full load, and it's quiet.

    I've got an a 650W Antec PSU running an overclocked i7-2600K with an overclocked GTX580, with plenty of headroom left over. Hundreds of watts left over.