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Thread ID: 121594	2011-11-02 00:05:00	Build your own desktop PC	tinakarori (5695)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1241364	2011-11-02 00:05:00	Can anyone suggest a practical recent step-by-step magazine article or online guide to assembling one's own desktop PC? I want a reasonably powerful PC for home business work, heavy-duty Excel use, and business startup-related web research. One or two recent posts on Press F1 have covered this topic to some extent, and pointed out that the required parts and assemblies can be purchased at a very reasonable total cost. It seems that the total parts cost, even for quality, quite powerful spec items, is significantly less than the asking price for similar-spec complete PCs from such as PB Technologies, etc.	tinakarori (5695)
1241365	2011-11-02 00:22:00	Check out: en.wikibooks.org It's honestly not that hard to do these days. Aslong as you have a phillips-head screwdriver and a nice table to work on. Just avoid static (building it on the living room floor wearing your favourite woolen socks) and don't force anything. Most components you buy will come with 'quick install' guides and documentation. I usually get the case ready, remove the sides. Install: Power supply, Optical drive, Hard drive(s) Then: Motherboard, CPU, CPU Heatsink, RAM Plug SATA(or IDE) cables, front panel (power/reset/etc) usually well named and motherboard manual shows where to plug them in, plug in power. Test, if it boots to "..insert system disk.." you're pretty much good to go. Tidy up the cables, install OS, done. A lot of cases now are tool-less, only thing you need to do is screw the motherboard down.	l0gic (6781)
1241366	2011-11-02 00:25:00	Install the RAM, CPU and heatsink into the Motherboard before inserting into case too.	Snorkbox (15764)
1241367	2011-11-02 00:41:00	Get all the major parts from the one supplier. It makes things alot simpler if things dont work as they should. You take the whole lot back for them to sort out what part is failing.	1101 (13337)
1241368	2011-11-02 01:07:00	And normally the motherboard manual will include all the steps/instructions for installing the memory and cpu and cables. Its just a matter of mounting the motherboard to the case then following the instructions.	psycik (12851)
1241369	2011-11-02 01:21:00	And be patient, no rushing it. Can probably find video guides on youtube, bear in mind anyone can post and dont trust the first one you see :) As for static, earth yourself frequently or preferably use an antistatic wrist strap (cheap and worth having) attached to an earth connection (the metal body of a PSU plugged in but turned off works in a pinch). The actual order isn't critical but what I do is; Install MB standoffs in case and make sure they line up with holes in MB Install CPU, heatsink, and RAM onto MB - be sure you apply heatsink paste if not factory applied (small dot in centre of PSU do not touch CPU or Heatsink surfaces with your fingers) Install MB back plate into case Install MB taking care the backplate and mounting holes line up, put screws in loosely at first until they are all started then tighten but not overtight connect front panel cables to MB and USB / Audio Install PSU, I like to leave it to this point so it's not in the way Install Hard drive(s) and optical drive connect PSU to 24pin and 4/6 pin MB connectors and all drives Connect sata cables, if you have spares consider installing them in any hard to get to MB ports to make life easier in future Install Graphics cards, connect to PSU if required Boot it up and marvel at yourself it's that easy	dugimodo (138)
1241370	2011-11-02 01:59:00	The .pdf file in the link provided by lOgic makes great reading - thanks :)	Zippity (58)
1241371	2011-11-02 03:26:00	Building a PC is not to hard, depending on what components are going in as well. Meaning if a basic PC, no problems, but start throwing in all sorts of large hardware and things can get a little crowded inside a case. Building is easy, its when you hit the power button and they don't start up, or there are faults -- thats when a lot of people come unstuck. By rights the shop you purchase parts from can charge you to test and fault find components, they only have to replace if a part is faulty. It seems that the total parts cost, even for quality, quite powerful spec items, is significantly less than the asking price for similar-spec complete PCs from such as PB Technologies, etc. Thats usually because they have already built the PC, and tested hardware to make sure its OK before shipping to the end user. Even if it comes with No OS, the hardware should have been tested and then sent out in a working condition before wiping the temp install they have on it.	wainuitech (129)
1241372	2011-11-02 04:00:00	And be patient, no rushing it. Can probably find video guides on youtube, bear in mind anyone can post and dont trust the first one you see :) As for static, earth yourself frequently or preferably use an antistatic wrist strap (cheap and worth having) attached to an earth connection (the metal body of a PSU plugged in but turned off works in a pinch). The actual order isn't critical but what I do is; Install MB standoffs in case and make sure they line up with holes in MB Install CPU, heatsink, and RAM onto MB - be sure you apply heatsink paste if not factory applied (small dot in centre of PSU do not touch CPU or Heatsink surfaces with your fingers) Install MB back plate into case Install MB taking care the backplate and mounting holes line up, put screws in loosely at first until they are all started then tighten but not overtight connect front panel cables to MB and USB / Audio Install PSU, I like to leave it to this point so it's not in the way Install Hard drive(s) and optical drive connect PSU to 24pin and 4/6 pin MB connectors and all drives Connect sata cables, if you have spares consider installing them in any hard to get to MB ports to make life easier in future Install Graphics cards, connect to PSU if required Boot it up and marvel at yourself it's that easy +1 that's basically how i do it. gfx last. definitely.	icow (15313)
1241373	2011-11-02 04:04:00	And if you get a mobo with firewire on it, MAKE SURE you dont connect a front USB connection to a firewire header on the mobo. Or you'll be buying another mobo	Speedy Gonzales (78)
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