Any last minute advice or tips on the best way to build a PC from scratch ?

The last few components to arrive for my Core 2 Duo PC build should be arriving tomorrow :)

I have never built a PC before from bare components, and have downloaded a few step-by-step guides from the Internet to help me through it.

I was wondering if anyone here had any last minute words of wisdom, top tips or just general advice on the best way to go about building a PC from scratch ?

Aside from the build itself, what are the best ways of checking each component (eg. I will be using Orthos, TAT, MemTest86+ to stress test CPU and RAM, and 3DMark for stress testing the graphics card) ?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

If its your first build, take things slow. You'll find it pretty simple, just remember to apply the mobo on the standoffs correctly to prevent shorting.

Make sure you have plenty of space and organise yourself and yes, take it slowly and methodically !! If you have big hands like me, a pair of needle nose pliers are good for connecting front panel (power - led's - reset etc) connections and fiddly bits !!! :lol:

Just think everything through before setting off, and on my first build I repeatedly reminded myself that it's basically putting screws in holes (apart from thermal goo), nothing challenging. You'll do fine :thumbsup:

Just take your time. If you rush you'll only get frustrated and will probably end up doing something you'll regret. If you do find yourself getting edgy, go and take a break. There's no hurry. :)

I know first hand how nervy making a system can be, though the first PCs I made from scratch were using the old AMD clips which were so tough you needed a strongman medal to attach them. Nervy indeed.

As for overclocking, just go up in increments. You'll hit 2.5GHz no problem with any C2D (probably 3.0GHz, but don't take it for granted), and after that, just take small jumps at a time. Get to a stable milestone (after 2.8, try once every 500MHz) to just do an Orthos test for maybe 20 mins (1 Orthos process on each core). If that passes, then head for another 500Mhz. Once you find any instability in those 20 mins, then knock it back bit by bit until it passes the test, and then knock it back a further 100MHz, and test for as long as it possible. 24Hrs Orthos stable should be fine - if it passes that, then consider it 24hr fine - you've reached your OC. :)

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Originally Posted by Defenestration

The last few components to arrive for my Core 2 Duo PC build should be arriving tomorrow :)

I have never built a PC before from bare components, and have downloaded a few step-by-step guides from the Internet to help me through it.

I was wondering if anyone here had any last minute words of wisdom (Dont take drugs), top tips (Dont eat yellow snow) or just general advice on the best way to go about building a PC from scratch ? Take your time, make sure you get the studs right that the motherboard sits on. Get a nice bright torch for when you are messing about inside the case. Keep an eye on the orientation of the little on/off/reset/speaker jumpers. leave out any pci cards while you get it up and running.

Aside from the build itself, what are the best ways of checking each component (eg. I will be using Orthos, TAT, MemTest86+ to stress test CPU and RAM, and 3DMark for stress testing the graphics card) ? You dont need to run memtest unless you are having problems. Orthos blend test will stress both the cpu and ram., 3dmark06 is ok for a quick test.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

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:)

Double check EVERY connection and orientation inside the chassis.

Have a second PC you can access the net with to ask HeXus when it doesn't go to plan :) It's a life saver sometimes.

And measure your case properly. If you fit a huge cooler, say a tuniq tower like me & didnt allow for standoffs & the way the bakplate is mounted you could be dremmeling the side of your case lol. (Thought i'd keep my old trusted coolermaster atc-s didn't i, forgot the motherboard tray is mounted well into the case as it's a removable job. You can still be a n00b even with 20 odd years experience lol:lol:).

RTFM the material that comes with your kit. I've always found the mobo manual really useful when it comes to working out how many power points there are, locating the headers for fan power, and those pesky pins for the speaker and front panel indicators!

You will decide once everything is running that the cables are all over the place and need tidying. Once done you will find that something won't work. You will need a large cup of coffee to see you through, just make sure you don't knock it over on top of your components :embarrassed:

Download all the latest device drivers before you start, and burn them to a CD. I always switch USB off during the initial install, and install windows with as few extra cards as possible.

And plan at least a couple of days to get it working.

When am I supposed to use washers when installing a motherboard.

If they come with the case I put them in, if not I don't.

but whats the general rule?

Tips 1
Not all cases are square.
When fitting the motherboard put the screws in as you would expect but don't fully tighten them.
Then test fit an add-in card, preferrably at the top and bottom of the board to sit the board square to the rear slots.
Tighten down the screws you can see, take out the cards and tighten any screws under them.

Tip 2
Have a plan.
Approaches can be heavily influenced by case design. I usually go: Motherboard; CPU; RAM; Drives; PSU; Data Cables.

Tip 3
As has been mentioned the motherboard connectors are a pain and often the biggest headache as they're so easy to get wrong.
If I'm uncertain I fit the cables and temporarily plug-in Gfx card and PSU to ensure it boots.

Tip 4
I always fit power before data cables because in days gone by problems were more likely in the IDE cables etc. That way they're the easiest to access if things go awry.

Tip 5
Have fun! :D

Use a PS2 keyboard some MBs cannot see usb on first boot.

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Originally Posted by redlight

Use a PS2 keyboard some MBs cannot see usb on first boot.

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Good point that!

Also, if you can avoid the washers, then do so.
Metal stand-offs are far better.

I would install the CPU on the mobo before putting the mobo in the case, with the cooler if applicable.

I usually take the mobo battery out before installing, just in case.

Make sure you observe all static handling precautions.

Cable tie the loose cables together to create a decent airflow path over the fans.

It may also be an idea to create a smallish OS partition, so that, if you need to reinstall the OS, you only have to reformat a smaller part of the disc.

Just a few things that I usually do with a new build... Good Luck !

if it doesn't slide in easy don't force it

My first whole build was just after christmas this year, although i was confident with doing it i was still new.

Go slow, take your time.
Have a big a space possible.
Install everything required, do not think it will work if you leave some odd screws etc out.

Fitting a C2D is very easy so you wont have a problem.

Overall just take your time and check you are doing it right (common sense)
And good luck.

All good advice.
Mine is - dont put the sides of the case on. Every time you do, you'll realise something needs to be changed, and you'll have to take them off again :)
Annoying but true!

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Originally Posted by alsenior

if it doesn't slide in easy don't force it

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Whilst generally true, if you are a weak little bugger like me, you need some force (well, more that usual) to get stuff like a HSF on properly, expansion cards sometimes need a firm push from me also.

Which reminds me, if an expansion card seems to be refusing to plug in properly, at the front - check the backplate is straight, I was chucking a machine together yesterday to have a play about with Windows Home Server and the Radeon 9200 refused to go in, the bottom of the backplate was bent slightly outwards, a quick rebend and it went in easy enough :)

Another thing - I just gently tilt the case from side to side before plug it in or powering up to make sure there aren't any loose screws or other things that could potentially short something. Paranoid I know, but worth it :)

Don't panic if it doesn't work first time. I can't count the number of times I've started effin' and blindin' when a system hasn't worked, only to realise I forgot to connect the power button.

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Originally Posted by alsenior

if it doesn't slide in easy don't force it

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Obligatory Steve Carroll from The Office quote:

'that's what she said'

A big thank you to everyone for all the advice! I've got most of it put together now, but am not sure I've used the right screws for the right parts. The screws came with the case (Akasa Eclipse 62), and there are about six different types.

There were also some washers which look like they're made of paper - I used these for the screws which secure the mobo (ie. to protect the mobo). However, while fitting the hard drive I was thinking that maybe I should have used the paper washers for the HD. The only other alternative supplied is a metal washer - would this be OK for the HD ?

I have read that a lot of people use rubber grommets for the HD. I assume the grommet isolates both the HD and the screw from the chassis ?

I post again later with more details about my first build experience, and whether it booted first time.... or not :)

Can I just add, use an antistatic wrist strap, connect one end to something you know is grounded like bare metal on a radiator (Not a painted surface for obvious reasons) before handling any of the components. ESD (Electro Static Discharge) is the biggest killer to RAM, Motherboards and CPU's (although with CPU's in my experience incorrectly fitted HSF are just as big a killer, whoops valuable lesson learnt!) Just walking on a carpet can develop a 3000 - 4000v potential in your body. Do you want to risk discharging this through your shiny new C2D?

I know a lot of people will say that they have "never used a wriststrap and never had any problems" However, do you want to take a gamble with your new pride and joy for the sake of 3 quid for a disposavle jobby. And you wouldn't believe how many of those who haven't used one end up RMAing something 6 months later. Static damage doesn't necessarily manifest straight away as a total failure.

If you can't / don't / won't use a strap then (standard "I take no responsibility" caveat applies) you can reduce the risk by following these pointers (Although this works adequatly I in now way endorse or recommend not using a strap)

Do not handle your components more than is absolutley necessary, only handle when you need to. ie. Don't take your new mobo out of the box to make your mates jealous. Only take it out when you are ready to fit it!

With the power supply installed in the bare case, plug the power lead into it and the mains outlet, BUT leave it switched off at the mains. (The Earth pin still remains connected through to the PSU even if the switch is off) This will gorund the case.

Before Handling any component either touch the grounded case or something that you know is grounded ie a radiator. Once you have touched and grounded yourself try not to move around, dance, run or starjump more than you need to, as the more you move the more chance there is of static building up. The whole idea is to keep the potential voltage difference between you and your kit to zero or as close as possible.

For gods sake don't wear a shell suit! And nylon wigs are a no no too.

Bottom line, yes I am paranoid, I work with optical/electrical circuit packs worth up to and in excess of £15000 and Anti Static precautions have been drummed into me, I have seen plenty of these fail prematurely where they have been handled incorrectly. And I have blown a stick of RAM and a GFX card over the years in my own rig whilst being careless.


All the major retailers sell anti static kits for barely more than a pint of beer costs. Not much considering how much you have just spent! Not trying to scare you mate, just making you aware of the possible risks.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Defenestration

There were also some washers which look like they're made of paper - I used these for the screws which secure the mobo (ie. to protect the mobo). However, while fitting the hard drive I was thinking that maybe I should have used the paper washers for the HD. The only other alternative supplied is a metal washer - would this be OK for the HD ?

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Yeah the paper washers are for the motherboard - but only need to be used if the screws or standoffs are going to be making contact with any of the tracings on the motherboard. It's been a long time since I saw the motherboard which didn't protect itself. Still, there's no harm at all using the washers. :)

As for the hard drives, just leave the washers, unless your case has some funky mounting mechanisms (I've no experience with the Eclipse 62). If it's just a case of screwing the hard drive into the case, then just do that - no need for washers. :)

See if you need to reset your motherboards Cmos before using it (caused headaches with my dfi :rolleyes:)

The hdd's in an eclipse just need to be screwed in. They don't need any washers.