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Hi Everyone,
This mini-FAQ/Build Log is provided for all the people interested in building a new PC from scratch. While different PCs are made for different reasons, the assembly itself can be done with relatively minor effort. This was my first PC build from scratch...I had installed numerous cards, drives, and monitors on other systems but never took the plunge and did this myself.
So lets get started!!!!!
1. Doing Your Research
Research is probably your biggest and most important area when building a PC. There are many things to consider such as: Primary use, gaming, video editing, networking, internet use, storage capacity, speed, cooling, space, noise, overclocking.....and the list goes on. There are too many things to list here but utilizing a good forum or two to solicit information and advice goes a long way. This website and the individuals that make it up have been INVALUABLE in the successfull completion of this PC. Google and YouTube are your friends as well!
2. Budget
As with anything in life, things come with some sort of a "cost" involved...whether it be time, money, or effort. When building the PC the monetary aspects are probably first and foremost. Since you have researched what you would like your PC to do, you will now have to figure out just how much you are willing to spend! If you are like myself, budget tends to get larger as you discover more things.....LOL! Determine if you really need the cutting edge or if "last year's" technology may suit your needs. This is not an easy decision but again, ask around to find out what you will need vs your budget. Depending upon where you live you may want to try out a Brick and Mortar store vs online. There are pros/cons of each but in my build it was easier to use online vendors. The selection was much more varied and there was no sales tax. Shipping was inevitable but by combining many items at once and looking for items with free shipping my total shipping costs were about $40.00. That is for EVERYTHING...monitor, case, CPU, everything else! I had great success with Provantage for the case, TankGuys for the CPU, and NewEgg for everything else! DON'T FORGET TO FILL OUT YOUR MAIL IN REBATES if your products have them.
3. Prepping your build
When all your goodies arrive, be sure to inspect your packaging. Have a digital camera ready to take pictures of your items in case there was damage. It may help a claim with the shipper. Better safe than sorry. Inventory everything to ensure you have what you need! Here is a brief list of what I needed:
Case
MOBO
RAM
CPU
Heatsink/fan (aftermarket for CPU)
Bracket for heatsink
HDDs
DVD
Graphics Card
Operating System
Monitor
Cable for monitor
Cooling Fans
Thermal Paste
Anti Static Wristband
Latex Gloves (for thermal paste application)
Lint Free Cloth
Qtips
Rubbing Alcohol
Screwdrivers
Flashlight
Canned Air (Dustoff)
Make sure you have a large area to work in. Not saying you couldn't build a PC in your bathroom, however, having a lot of space really helps. Try to build your PC in a well lighted area and one that has little static if possible. I wouldn't personally build my computer on a shag carpet but to each his own....LOL.
Also make sure you have the TIME to build your computer. Some folks can assemble one of these puppies in minutes whereas others take some time. I started installing my case fans the night prior and then built the PC in the afternoon/evening of the next day.
Having access to another computer that can reach out and get info from the web was a neccessity in my case. I like pictures and videos. This is where this website and YouTube came in handy. I looked up my parts and found videos of the installation of them on various builds. The Xigmatec S1283 cooler was a good example of this on YouTube. Also there are some good videos on applying thermal paste (I used Arctic Silver 5).
<<<Continued Below>>>
This mini-FAQ/Build Log is provided for all the people interested in building a new PC from scratch. While different PCs are made for different reasons, the assembly itself can be done with relatively minor effort. This was my first PC build from scratch...I had installed numerous cards, drives, and monitors on other systems but never took the plunge and did this myself.
So lets get started!!!!!
1. Doing Your Research
Research is probably your biggest and most important area when building a PC. There are many things to consider such as: Primary use, gaming, video editing, networking, internet use, storage capacity, speed, cooling, space, noise, overclocking.....and the list goes on. There are too many things to list here but utilizing a good forum or two to solicit information and advice goes a long way. This website and the individuals that make it up have been INVALUABLE in the successfull completion of this PC. Google and YouTube are your friends as well!
2. Budget
As with anything in life, things come with some sort of a "cost" involved...whether it be time, money, or effort. When building the PC the monetary aspects are probably first and foremost. Since you have researched what you would like your PC to do, you will now have to figure out just how much you are willing to spend! If you are like myself, budget tends to get larger as you discover more things.....LOL! Determine if you really need the cutting edge or if "last year's" technology may suit your needs. This is not an easy decision but again, ask around to find out what you will need vs your budget. Depending upon where you live you may want to try out a Brick and Mortar store vs online. There are pros/cons of each but in my build it was easier to use online vendors. The selection was much more varied and there was no sales tax. Shipping was inevitable but by combining many items at once and looking for items with free shipping my total shipping costs were about $40.00. That is for EVERYTHING...monitor, case, CPU, everything else! I had great success with Provantage for the case, TankGuys for the CPU, and NewEgg for everything else! DON'T FORGET TO FILL OUT YOUR MAIL IN REBATES if your products have them.
3. Prepping your build
When all your goodies arrive, be sure to inspect your packaging. Have a digital camera ready to take pictures of your items in case there was damage. It may help a claim with the shipper. Better safe than sorry. Inventory everything to ensure you have what you need! Here is a brief list of what I needed:
Case
MOBO
RAM
CPU
Heatsink/fan (aftermarket for CPU)
Bracket for heatsink
HDDs
DVD
Graphics Card
Operating System
Monitor
Cable for monitor
Cooling Fans
Thermal Paste
Anti Static Wristband
Latex Gloves (for thermal paste application)
Lint Free Cloth
Qtips
Rubbing Alcohol
Screwdrivers
Flashlight
Canned Air (Dustoff)
Make sure you have a large area to work in. Not saying you couldn't build a PC in your bathroom, however, having a lot of space really helps. Try to build your PC in a well lighted area and one that has little static if possible. I wouldn't personally build my computer on a shag carpet but to each his own....LOL.
Also make sure you have the TIME to build your computer. Some folks can assemble one of these puppies in minutes whereas others take some time. I started installing my case fans the night prior and then built the PC in the afternoon/evening of the next day.
Having access to another computer that can reach out and get info from the web was a neccessity in my case. I like pictures and videos. This is where this website and YouTube came in handy. I looked up my parts and found videos of the installation of them on various builds. The Xigmatec S1283 cooler was a good example of this on YouTube. Also there are some good videos on applying thermal paste (I used Arctic Silver 5).
<<<Continued Below>>>