Have YOU ever composed a computer?

[counter345]

By composed, I mean put together.

How easy is it?

Are there any tools I will need?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Grayfox]

It is easy to build one you get the hang of it.

Their are tuts online that can show u what to do in a step by step basis.

1: Get parts(you need to reserch this).
2: Buy Parts.
3: Start by installing the motherboard supports into the case, then install the mainboard.
4: Screw down the motherboard.
5: Install Hard drives, CPU, heatsink, GPU(if any), disc drive and power supply.
6: Connect the power supplys ATX connector to the mainboard as well as the +12Aux power to the mainboaard.
7: Connect the power supply to the HDD, disc drive, GPU(if installed).
8: Connect the front panel cables to the mainboard.

This is a quick step by step i could think of at 1:15am.

Only tools you will need really is just a phillips screw driver set.

 

[skylinefx]

Yeah it can be confusing the first time when familiarising yourself with where everything should be etc. But it's easy the second time.

 

[BobK]

The tools I used on my first computer were a wire wrap tool, a wire stripper, a soldering iron and a screwdriver. I used a logic symbols template to draw it up before building it, not sure if you'd count that or not.

 

[fatty5000]

Got an old one lying around ???



I used an old as a guide then first time with no prior experiance.


Fired up first time too

 

[Submerged]

The tools I used on my first computer were a wire wrap tool, a wire stripper, a soldering iron and a screwdriver. I used a logic symbols template to draw it up before building it, not sure if you'd count that or not.

.....ok. Sounds like 70's to 80's technology right there. Could even be early 90's.... for some motherboards?

Weird thing is, it turns out that in the (much) older days, so long you knew where to soldier and create new links, you could literally make the computer a whole new computer, from the same basic parts. When now, you have to literally just buy parts to make it faster, not just make the best of what you got (not talking about watercooling or extreme cooling systems).

Nowadays, building a computer itself is generally fairly simple, provided you keep a few things in mind.

Make sure you can fit everything on the motherboard BEFORE you put it in the case and remember which way they go in the slots! Take a photo of it beforehand. This will help A LOT when you decide to assemble it in the case. Check where all the screw holes are and see if you can assemble as much of the motherboard (processor, ram sticks and any PCI units, NOT the graphics card) before putting it in the case and screwing it down.

Cases are cramped. Fingers are fat.

Graphics cards. If you're getting the gamer version, they often have MASSIVE BIG GOD-DAMN heatsinks and fans. This makes it quite weighty. So just make sure you are happy with the seating first on the motherboard, before letting go. You don't want it to jump out of the PCI slots when assembling it.

Depending whether you have SATA or IDE cables for hard drives and DVD drives, they generally go in one way. Double check the way the wires goes in first. Then put them in. Don't force it. Quite important, this is. Same thing for most of the stuff on the motherboard. If it doesn't seem to want to go in, don't force it. Take time out. Check it, check it again, cross reference it off the manual, the internet and check it once more and there you go, you've found the right way to put it in!

Oh, heatsinks for the processor. If you are getting a non-stock heatseak for better overclocking potential, just check how to fit it on the motherboard. There are some differences to affix a heatsink to a AMD chip and Intel chips. To make it easy, stick with the stock heatsink so it just generally fits first time around. My first build had a rather good heatsink, but it took a while before I figured out how to affix it properly to the processor and get it to stick. Instruction manuals were in Chinglish.... (idiots).

Oh, Fans. MOST important for cooling. Don't have one for the case, the case will get very hot over time. Processors have been known to reach 90 degrees or more. And still run. But not for very long, of course.

All of the above is more for making you aware of things that you already know anyway when you start building it. Plus, its generally simple, common sense stuff that works.

I did forget to mention about static. Make sure its earthed all the time. And with the PSU.... please, make sure you have it on the correct voltage (220V or 110V) for your country. And... once it starts up, don't touch the PSU or anything on the motherboard for a while, incase there's some electrical leakage. I've not been sparked yet, but I have heard stories of that happening and brown trousers moments...

 

[Robin]

I've done it many times now and yeah the first time is rather tricky but if you follow instructions and go slow its turns out to be pretty easy. All you need really is a screwdriver.

It also helps that components have got easier and easier to install, most cases have quick release features so putting in HDD's, Optical Drives and PCI cards is easy.

Robin.

 

[TommyWizard]

Its easy, my first one was for a friends birthday, he gave me a handfull of money and told me to build him a machine. That was about 3 years ago and its still spitting fire!!

 

[Gabkicks]

Putting together rigs:

as long as you don't do anything stupid. I have read stories where people did some pretty bad things, like putting the cpu in sideways and then forcing the lever down, or forcing the pcie power connecters into the motherboard's 8/4pin connector.

 

[Mr. S]

Try getting an old computer and give it a try - if you can't get some old and crappy thing (400mhz Pentium / AMD is sufficient, the overall layout (minus different interface versions etc. of course) hasn't really changed since) try eBay. It might cost you 5-20$ but that's still cheaper than blowing up your new hardware.

 

[Coxis]

Putting together rigs:

pretty much.

I remember the first time I put one of my computers together... I was psyched. I'd say that the most complicated part of it all is the heatsink. If you buy an aftermarket heatsink you may need to apply thermal paste yourself, which may not be very easy for a first timer.

Cable management is also a bitch sometimes, depending on the complexity of the rig.

 

[Mr. S]

pretty much.

I remember the first time I put one of my computers together... I was psyched. I'd say that the most complicated part of it all is the heatsink. If you buy an aftermarket heatsink you may need to apply thermal paste yourself, which may not be very easy for a first timer.

Cable management is also a bitch sometimes, depending on the complexity of the rig.

Indeed...yet, what I learned: thermal paste can be applied quite easily using...toilet paper. 💡

Putting the heatsink itself on the mainboard is a whole different story, it can be very confusing if you're doing it for the very first time (well, many things are ). Mainly because you WILL be afraid of breaking stuff.

 

[chug-a-bug]

Cable management is also a bitch sometimes, depending on the complexity of the rig.

I think I spend more time trying to figure out cable routes than I do actually assembling everything else! 💡

 

[Eric.]

As far as assembly goes, I think the hardest part for a first-timer is knowing what order to install some components. Depending on the case, it can be easier to install the fans, hard drives, optical drives, and power supply before the motherboard. And you should install the CPU and heatsink before installing the motherboard. The biggest pain might be figuring out the pins for all the panel buttons/lights, etc. Also not a fan of routing wires.

 

[bergauk]

As far as assembly goes, I think the hardest part for a first-timer is knowing what order to install some components. Depending on the case, it can be easier to install the fans, hard drives, optical drives, and power supply before the motherboard. And you should install the CPU and heatsink before installing the motherboard. The biggest pain might be figuring out the pins for all the panel buttons/lights, etc. Also not a fan of routing wires.

Front I/O panel is annoying. I can assemble the rest of the components for a computer at my work in under 20 minutes. But then I usually have to get motherboard/case manual out to figure out the I/O panel. Looking through the manual adds another 5 mins or so though.

Cable management is annoying too. I wish we could start using modular PSU's everywhere.

 

[Korza]

The easiest way to familiarize yourself with the black art of computer building is to take 1 or 2 old PC's apart and rebuild them. thats how I taught myself how to build computers.

 

[Terronium-12]

My golden rule is this: you learn not from that which is known to you, but that which isn't. Basically amounts to you learn from your mistakes.

Of course you can prepare yourself as much as you want, but you'll never really learn anything until something goes wrong. Believe this.

Quite extravagant that is, yes.

 

[chug-a-bug]

Front I/O panel is annoying. I can assemble the rest of the components for a computer at my work in under 20 minutes. But then I usually have to get motherboard/case manual out to figure out the I/O panel. Looking through the manual adds another 5 mins or so though.

I once had a case where the front panel USB cables had a separate very slim plug for every single wire, loads of them and each a few mm in diameter, connect it up wrong and risk frying the motherboard.

Took me an age, but I got 'em all sorted in the end.

 

[NissanSkylineN1]

Indeed...yet, what I learned: thermal paste can be applied quite easily using...toilet paper. 💡

DON'T DO THAT, as the toilet paper particles that will (and they do, just TRY cleaning something with toilet paper, some small pieces come off) catch on fire. Use a business card or even a small drywall spreader instead.

 

[Mr. S]

DON'T DO THAT, as the toilet paper particles that will (and they do, just TRY cleaning something with toilet paper, some small pieces come off) catch on fire. Use a business card or even a small drywall spreader instead.

I don't know what kind of toilet paper you have but I've never seen falling small parts off.

 

[Tesla]

I don't know what kind of toilet paper you have but I've never seen falling small parts off.

Maybe he was using used toilet paper ...