Mistakes to avoid when building a PC

[Jamie McKane]

Mistakes to avoid when building a PC

While building a PC is not as difficult as beginners think, there are common mistakes you should avoid.

 

[Thor]

Welcome Jamie

 

[ScottulusMaximus]

Don't mount the mobo directly to the chassis without the spacers either...

No idea how I didn't fry something.

 

[Icemanbrfc]

Don't forget to add the memory

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

Don't eat the thermal paste.

 

[Fulcrum29]

Having read the article.

The most common issue that I see with home system builders is cable management in general. Most newbies to the trade are able enough with the plug ‘n play concept by putting hardware components together into a working machine, but cabling... oh noes.

Then there are those with the custom coolers, you know the ‘Warning’ sticker. Please remove the sticker prior to mounting.

True system builders, my respect.

 

[Dan C]

Don't eat the thermal paste.

Don't test the PSU with your tongue.

 

[Genisys]

If it doesn't fit, don't force it.

 

[Progenix Oj101]

Fans are mounted as intakes and exhausts in order to achieve optimal airflow through the chassis.

Mounting fans in the wrong orientation (example: three intakes instead of two intakes and one exhaust) could result in high PC temperatures.

Jamie is new to the concept of positive pressure, and how it helps with dust.

 

[Neoprod]

Decent article...couple of nitpicks.

It is generally recommended that you apply a pea-sized amount of compound to the lid of your CPU and then mount your cooler onto the processor – letting the heat sink contact spread the paste.

Make sure your cooler has pre-applied thermal compound

Those two contradict each other.

If a component doesn’t fit into a slot

This is a real nitpick - any PCIE card will work in a slot if it's smaller than the slot (x1, x4 can go into x8 or x16).

Good job overall for newbies.

 

[Neoprod]

Jamie is new to the concept of positive pressure, and how it helps with dust.

Choice needs to be made there...static air in the case (which you get with positive pressure) can hinder cooling while helping control dust ingress. Negative pressure ensures clean airflow which is better for cooling.

The choice is yours.

 

[sajunky]

Choice needs to be made there...static air in the case (which you get with positive pressure) can hinder cooling while helping control dust ingress. Negative pressure ensures clean airflow which is better for cooling.

Not true. Concepts of positive or negative pressure are wrong. Free airflow is a key, but free airflow means dust. So have a good intake filter, problem solved.

 

[Hamish McPanji]

Don't eat the thermal paste.

.

Don't test the PSU with your tongue.

.

If it doesn't fit, don't force it.

I thought this was a PC thread

 

[Beachless]

Don't eat the thermal paste.

Also apply it evenly across the CPU pins not haphazard like this:

 

[Petec]

Also apply it evenly across the CPU pins not haphazard like this:
View attachment 415801

I squirtled !!! LOL

Been a bastid of a week, but this has won the interwebs!

Thank you Beachless

 

[dualmeister]

If you can't find DDR4 then just can just use DDR1 and 3 together.

 

[Drifter]

If it doesn't fit, don't force it.

That's not what she said.

 

[Icemanbrfc]

If you can't find DDR4 then just can just use DDR1 and 3 together.

 

[_Jakes_]

If it doesn't fit, use lube.

FTFY

 

[angotull]

Don't test the PSU with your tongue.

Oh...that explains a lot....