Before I start to assemble my computer...

Posted on Nov 30, 2005 07:19 pm
nisthana
Member Since: Nov 24, 2005

I want to know if there are any tips/suggestions/bummers I should know about ?
This will be my first build and seeing all components lying around in the living room could be intimidating. I have printed a copy of how to assemble a PC from tomshardware.com but wanted to check with you guys too.
Again, this board has been really helpful to me, thanks for all the help.

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jmail
jimmie neutron
Member
Since: Feb 14, 2005

Dec 01, 2005 05:39 am

Take your time... Read all the manuals thoroughly... Be sure and use a static strap... Take your time... Use the heat sink grease per the CPU/heatsink instructions. If you get too much on, not good; not enough, not good... Have plenty of light... Take your time... Read & re-read and then read again the article from Tom's Hardware site... You can do it, and you can do it better than any store or manufacturer can because you care about the build quality of your box, but be sure and *take your time*... Good luck, have fun, and may all your components have a 1-800 number for their help desk...

netstat
Member
Since: Nov 28, 2005

Dec 01, 2005 10:31 am

Pay attention to your FSB/ram speeds most MOBO's are soft configured and will default to the slowest speed.

Don't force anything.

Pin 1 orientation on the floppy is usually opposite the other devices.

Route cables for airflow.

I assume you are building this for use a audio workstation. Don't forget to disable on board audio/MIDI/gameports.

Resist the urge to tweak a bunch of bios settings on your first bootup.

Plan on purchasing a PCI firewire card (if that's what your audio interface is) for good performance.

pjk
Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004

Dec 01, 2005 10:40 am

I find the jmail way to be very good: take your time. I would also add, every so often, stop, and recheck your last step, and the steps before. Each step may be totally different from the one before, so your mind can play tricks on which thing you did to which step.

Also, what netstat says: don't force anything. Sometimes ram may be a little finicky, but there's a set way of them installing. I've broken a few plascit mounting tabs by not having them lined up correctly.

If your processor has the pins, then be very careful, they bend VERY easy. They can be straightened, but they won't very many times before breaking off.

Also, put Pantera on the stereo when building, I find it gets your building juices flowing =).

Allright, that last part may be optional.