The PC is a complicated machine, with many different components and settings that can be confusing for newbies. Here are the most common mistakes newbies make when building their PCs.
The things not to forget when building a pc is made up of 24 common mistakes that newbies make. It’s important to know what these are, so you don’t make them yourself.
Building a gaming computer is tough for any beginner, particularly if he has no experience with components. Even if a person understands a lot about components but hasn’t constructed one himself, I consider him to be a beginner. The real deal is putting the pieces together in a case. There isn’t a single person on the world who hasn’t made a mistake in that process, and even the professionals make errors now and again.
I’ve built a lot of computers for myself and my friends, so I’ve made a lot of errors and learned a lot. So I compiled a list of nearly every error a novice might make throughout the assembly process. If you’re new to PC construction and don’t want to make any mistakes, this list will come in handy.
1. The force required to shut the CPU socket arm
This is the first stage, when you insert the CPU into the socket and seal it tightly enough with the latch arm. You’ll need a lot of effort to get it to lock after you’re done. You should not continue at first since it seems that it will break. Don’t be concerned; just move on.
2. Instead of using the graphics card’s output connector, connect the monitor to the motherboard’s display output.
This is ridiculous, and I did it myself when I first bought a computer with a graphics card. Because there was no signal on the display, I connected the VGA cable connection into the motherboard instead of the graphics card and restarted multiple times. I ended up with windows that were corrupted. This is a very frequent blunder, and many individuals make it for the first time.
3. Using a knife to scrape out the old thermal paste from the CPU
It’s best to reapply thermal paste once it dries or when you install a new CPU cooler. However, a dry towel or even water will not be able to remove the old thermal paste. As a result, some individuals scrape it off the cpu using a blade or knife. Don’t do that; your CPU will be scratched, and you’ll wind up with incorrect contact with the CPU cooling. Instead, use kerosene oil. It will simply scrape off.
4. Don’t touch your PC’s components while it’s turned on.
If you touch your PC components with your fingers or a screwdriver, it may be a big issue since even a little shaking might cause your PC to freeze. If you contact the circuitry on your motherboard or graphics card PCB, it may cause a short circuit.
5. Understand the distinctions between Micro-Atx and Mini-ITX, since they are quite similar.
Micro ATX and Mini ITX motherboards are both supported by Micro ATX cases. A Mini ITX motherboard, on the other hand, will only support a Mini ITX motherboard. However, there are many tiny itx and micro atx cases that appear similar. Thermaltake Core V21 and Thermaltake Core V1 are two excellent examples, as seen in the picture below. Both seem to be quite comparable, however if you purchased the Core V1 with the intention of installing a Micro ATX case, you will be disappointed. Before you purchase one, do some research on what components you’ll need to put in it.
6. Check to see whether the CPU cooler will fit in the case.
Many Mini ITX and Mini Tower enclosures do not support large heatsinks. If you have a decent mid tower, there’s a slim chance you won’t be able to install a CPU cooler like the Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO. Big coolers, such as the Noctua DH-15, will need a complete tower or a very broad case.
Before purchasing a cooler, double-check the size of the cooler you intend to use and the dimensions of the case. For more information, check customer reviews, ask the community, or watch YouTube videos.
7. MANAGEMENT OF CABLES IS ESSENTIAL! It simplifies the process of updating and cleaning.
Making your system function isn’t something you have to do. However, have a look at the picture below. Is it okay to have such a sloppy build?
To keep your setup looking tidy, run your wires through the various openings in your case and knot the leftovers together. It also prevents your wires from entering the CPU or GPU cooler. The second major benefit of cable management is that it facilitates upgrades. In the instance below, installing a RAM stick or a hard drive is difficult.
8. The most aggravating aspect… Don’t overlook the I/O plate.
This is a frequent blunder. The second time I built a computer, I neglected to install the I/O plate. I’m not sure whether I’ll ever forget it, but I do remember it now. It’s critical if you don’t want any insects or rats to enter your structure. That is a problem I have encountered, and it is fatal to your components.
So, the first thing you should do when you get your case is install the I/O plate.
9. To get ethernet to function, use the driver CD that came with your motherboard.
After you’ve put your computer together, one of the first things you should do is go online and install some software. However, you won’t be able to connect to the internet since your system lacks an ethernet driver. As a result, never throw away your motherboard driver disk. It’s the most crucial step after installing your operating system and the only method to get your internet to function.
Most modern motherboards come pre-installed with certain drivers, including an internet driver.
10. Purchasing low-cost, off-brand power supplies
A 350-watt power supply from EVGA or Cooler Master is much superior than a 450-watt power supply from Zebronics. PSUs should only be purchased from reputable and well-known manufacturers. Spending a lot of money on components and just $15 on a power supply is a recipe for disaster. Even though I only need 400 watts in total, I use an Antec edge series 80+ GOLD 750W PSU.
If you don’t want to harm your costly system, think of a PSU the same way you think of a graphics card. The following is a list of the best power supply for your project.
11. Failure to turn on the power supply
You carefully put everything together and repeatedly pressed the power button on your case. However, there is no boot. Why? It’s possible that you neglected to turn on the power button on the back of your power supply. It’s a really frequent and stupid error to make, and there’s a good chance you’ll make it for the first time. So double-check everything before moving on.
12. Do not touch the pins on the CPU socket.
Can you spot the pins on the CPU socket below? It’s my friend’s motherboard, which hadn’t been used in over a year and was twisted by accident. I’m not sure how, but it’s deadly. It took me two days to find out why his computer wouldn’t start up. I tried the front panel power connectors, the motherboard’s 24 pin power port, and the power supply several times with no success. However, I failed to inspect the CPU socket.
I attempted to repair it when I discovered it, but it only lasted 2-3 days. It was almost difficult for me to make some of the pins line like the others since they were so badly bent.
Be careful, this may be deadly. When installing your CPU, put it carefully on the socket and do not move it to ensure correct alignment. If the pins on your motherboard bend, you’ll have to purchase a new one.
13. CONNECTORS FOR THE FRONT PANEL! Read the instruction booklet that came with your motherboard or case!
That is correct, and it is correct for every PC manufacturer. You can simply determine the power ports on your CPU and motherboard. But this is without a doubt the most difficult aspect. Some motherboards don’t come with clear instructions in the documentation, and the PCB is incorrectly labeled. As a result, you’ve plugged them in incorrectly. To gain a better understanding of the idea, see my tutorial on building a PC from the ground up.
14. Making sure the RAM sticks are correctly inserted
You may not be able to get your machine to boot. One of the causes may be incorrect ram stick installation. Your computer will not display anything if your ram stick is not correctly installed. Before placing your motherboard into the casing, make sure you’ve installed your RAM.
When you place the modules in the slots, make sure you hear clicks from both sides and that the latches shut automatically. Even if it does, use additional pressure to insert it farther. This will guarantee Ram’s correct operation.
15. Not doing enough study on PC cases
The more cases I purchase, the more information I get. I’ve tried extremely low-cost cases as well as some excellent high-end cases. Each has its unique method for putting the components and wires together. I’m still not perfect and won’t be for a long time since there are so many kinds to choose from that it will take time to try them all.
The complexity level rises as you go from basic component installation to acrylic bespoke water cooling. You’ll need cases with various characteristics for each method. Before purchasing a case, do your homework. Always create a list of the components you want to install and plan to add in the future to ensure you get the best scenario possible. To get the work done quicker, read this post on selecting the optimal case for your build.
16. Don’t get the 8 pin cpu power connection mixed up with the 8 pin gpu power connector.
8 pin power cpu port is found on good motherboards with overclocking capabilities. The difference between a 4+4 pin cpu power connection and a 6+2 pin gpu power connector is easily misunderstood. It’s possible that you accidentally plugged the gpu power connections into your cpu port, however this will not work. Always be aware of the differences and study the instructions for the power supply.
17. Using a CPU and motherboard that aren’t compatible
Complete newcomers are unaware of the compatibility. They may believe that an AMD CPU should be used with an Intel motherboard, or vice versa. Intel processors must be used with an Intel motherboard, while AMD processors must be used with an AMD motherboard. But this is just the beginning. You must also utilize a CPU that is compatible with the motherboard. For example, an Intel core i3 2120 cannot be used on a Lga 1150 motherboard such as the MSI h81M.
If you’re still unsure, see my guide to learn about the compatibility of each CPU and motherboard.
18. Using a motherboard and memory that aren’t compatible
By “using a DDR2 with a DDR3 Ram suitable motherboard,” I don’t only mean using a DDR2 with a DDR3 Ram compatible motherboard, but also utilizing a mismatched frequency ram on a motherboard that doesn’t support it. If you’re buying two ram sticks, be sure they have the same frequency. You may mix and match brands, but if you use two rams with different frequencies, the higher clocked ram will downclock to match the frequency of the other. As a result, it’s a waste of money.
Also, verify sure your motherboard supports the frequency of the RAM before purchasing it. Using a 3000Mhz clocked RAM on a motherboard that only supports 2133Mhz will result in the RAM being downclocked.
19. Using the incorrect screws for various components
I have four various kinds of screws in my hand, as you can see in the picture below. Each of them is designed for a certain component. You can’t use them interchangeably since you’ll end up with over-tightened screws or loosely held screws. Make sure you go through my instructions to figure out which screw goes with which component.
20. Installing components in the incorrect order
Each case has its own set of characteristics, and the components must be installed using various methods. The method of building components in a mini-ITX case differs from that of a full tower case. However, the majority of the instances follow a similar pattern.
- Place the motherboard in place (With processor, heatsink and ram pre-installed)
- Set up the power supply
- Hard drives/SSDs should be installed.
- Set up a graphics card
- Do some cable management and wiring.
This is the most typical sequence, however depending on the complexity of your situation, you may want to move some of them to a different order. But don’t just go with the flow or you’ll end up with a mess.
21. And don’t forget about the standoffs. That’s a catastrophic blunder.
wikimedia.org is the source of this image.
Yes, that’s a catastrophic mistake. Some cases come with pre-installed standoffs. Some don’t, while others have just a few. So you need to install the standoffs first by counting how many screw holes your motherboard has. Because the pcb of your motherboard will be in direct touch with the metal of your case if you install it without stanfoffs, there is a 100% probability that it will get shorted. Always keep this in mind.
22. Remember to remove the plastic film from the contact metal plate before installing a new CPU cooler.
hardwareslave.com is the source of this information.
This one is ridiculous. When a novice receives a custom cpu cooler for the first time, he may believe that the plastic film is for protection and that it looks nice, therefore he may not remove it. Even while running basic programs, your plastic will melt, and you will notice heat throttling and a lot of stuttering. Always remove it and use Kerosene or acetone to clean the metal plate. The cooler is now ready to be installed.
23. Avoid using too much thermal paste.
When I put a custom cooler in my previous build a few months back, I used thermal paste twice the size of a pea, which caused an overflow that ran down around the socket as well. Because I didn’t want it to go into the socket, I had to clean it carefully. As a result, just use a little amount of thermal paste.
Don’t use a credit card to distribute it; the cooler will do it automatically when you put it over the CPU. Its only purpose is to bridge the distance between the two contacts.
24. Overpaying for a factory overclocked graphics card for a little performance gain
This one isn’t part of the assembly process, but it’s still a good point to make. Different brands of graphics cards will always have a significant pricing differential. Some manufacturers, such as Asus and MSI, charge $20-$40 more for their graphics cards than the competition, despite the fact that the difference is insignificant.
When you’re on a limited budget, look for the less expensive alternatives. EVGA, Zotac, or Gainward offer much lower costs while still performing well.
So that’s all for the list. I hope you took something away from this.
If you have any ideas or things that I missed, please let me know in the comments section below and I will gladly include them in the list.
The things to be careful of when building a pc is an article that lists 24 common mistakes newbies make when building a PC.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are common mistakes when building a PC?
The most common mistakes when building a PC are not having enough airflow in your case, not having enough power supply, and not being sure what to look for in terms of memory.
Is building a PC hard for beginners?
It can be difficult for beginners, but it is not impossible.
Can you build a PC with no experience?
Yes, I can.
