Building pc from scratch

[little P]

So, the final piece of the puzzle is in place and I'm all set to start. Any tips and advice for building a system completely from scratch? I've read the manuals, watched the pootube videos, and I can't believe I'm even attempting this but here goes, wish me luck... Pics to follow... *gulp*

 

[Die Alone]

Completely from scratch man what an undertaking. So do you plan to start with base materials such as sand and raw metal?

I would suggest you just buy some off the shelf retail pc components and slap them together instead leagues of magnitude simpler.

First suggestion, DO NOT build it while in the Jacuzzi. I know it sounds like a good idea but trust me it will end bad. Second! take your pants off, truely it helps with airflow. Third! slam atleast 4 ounces of your choice of hard liqueur, will make the banging of your head against the wall less painful.

Man I remember the first PC I built back in 96 for a girlfriend. Man that 133MHZ Cyrix processor was a beast. And the weeks of agony trying to get that bleeding edge 56k modem to work that had 8 dip switches on it. And I bet those PC store guys had a good laugh after I refused to let them talk me into getting the plug and play modem and the Pentium processor. Cause I knew my shit I read it on the internet you know the real internet AOL.

 

[Kenadian]

I take my time and make sure that everything is routed properly and accounted for. My average build takes about 3 hours, sometimes more.

I make sure I'm grounded and even wear surgical gloves when connecting. It's not just about shorting but fingerprints as well and the slight chance that some of your fingers oils may make it onto some connection and possibly cause a short. I know it sounds ridiculous but if you've ever dealt with Metal-halide bulbs you'll know you can't touch any part of them without gloves on for that exact reason.

...

I tend to put the Rear Panel, PSU and Case Fans in first assuming they don't interfere with the placement of the Motherboard. This of course is case specific but I prefer to have that stuff in off the hop.

RAM is usually put in quite early because it's hard as h3ll to read what's printed on the Mobo. This of course depends on what CPU Heatsink/Fan Combo you're installing as you don't want the RAM in the way if you're screwing in a bracket to the front/back of your Mobo.

I then take care of the Mobo Heatsink/Fan Combo as depending on cooler, it's best to do this board out. Once that's been installed the Mobo is installed and all Power Connectors + relevant Cooling wiring is plugged in.

I then work toward drives and try to leave a space between drives that I know will be utilized more often for example OS and Primary Slave. Other drives that are utilized less frequently are stacked as they don't generate the heat the first 2 drives do.

All drives are then hooked into the Mobo and PSU.

Then I move onto Roms and hook them in.

All wiring is routed through the side of the case (in my case) or neatly tied together during this process.

Lastly comes the GPU's, additional fans, etc.

One thing I've noticed though is Mechanical Keyboards and Laser Mice don't seem to work at all during the setup process. Make sure you have some old shitty keyboard and IR Mouse during the setup process.

...

I've seen numerous examples of builds that are powered to POST with the Mobo out and sitting on cardboard. This way if you have a problem you know about it before assembling everything.

It's a cool approach which I may try sometime but haven't up to this point. I can see how it would save you a tremendous amount of time especially if you have a faulty component.

 

[JohnnyK]

One thing I've noticed though is Mechanical Keyboards and Laser Mice don't seem to work at all during the setup process. Make sure you have some old shitty keyboard and IR Mouse during the setup process.

Maybe with old mobos that do not support USB in the BIOS. There is no chance of that being an issue with newer boards.

I agree about the grounding. I'd put in RAM, then CPU & heatsink and only then put the board into the case.

Do not forget correct application of thermal paste.

Make sure to give the GPU enough power. Most current gen cards need 2 6pin connectors.

Make sure the gfx card is properly seated.

Good luck.

 

[Engnr]

I'll make popcorn!

 

[Kenadian]

Maybe with old mobos that do not support USB in the BIOS. There is no chance of that being an issue with newer boards.

Mine is a newer Motherboard

 

[Kenadian]

BTW, you are going to re-install the OS right?

 

[little P]

On my phone. Again lol.

Well, I've just checked back here and am reading all the comments (I'll have what you're having Die alone
) because I kind of got stuck into it and didn't stop until it was finished
. Took me four and a half hours from unboxing to putting the side panel back on, not too bad I guess assuming it turns on, which unfortunately I won't know until tommorow as I have two keyboards both of which are ps2 and guess what? Usb connections only on the motherboard... And it was going so well lol I've even been out to two not so local 24 hour stores but no joy. Oh well, tommorow will be the big turn on, and no doubt explosion... Quite chuffed I built it with no help or anything though!

 

[Engnr]

Putting all the pieces parts together is a bit tough on the nerves, but the real fun is getting the OS to work with all the drivers. That has always been my findings. Congrats on your first build! Reading all through your trials and troubles, you can call yourself level 2 tech support or better now. As you have found out, the level 1 tech support peeps are utterly useless.

 

[little P]

BTW, you are going to re-install the OS right?

Yarp. Got a fresh Western digital black in there ready to go once I get a the keyboard

 

[little P]

Putting all the pieces parts together is a bit tough on the nerves, but the real fun is getting the OS to work with all the drivers. That has always been my findings. Congrats on your first build! Reading all through your trials and troubles, you can call yourself level 2 tech support or better now. As you have found out, the level 1 tech support peeps are utterly useless.

thanks engy it's definitely been a trip!

 

[Kenadian]

I can't believe you don't have a PS2 to USB Connector, what a bummer.

I have like 3 of them here I'd gladly give you.

 

[JohnnyK]

Mine is a newer Motherboard

Which keyboard?

Any UEFI board (and most still with BIOS) support USB, so I really find this weird.

 

[Kenadian]

Yes USB does work without issue but it does not work with a Mechanical Keyboard when building for the first time, I have no idea why?

The same exact thing can be said for my G500 Mouse, I had to switch it out with and old Intellipoint to install the OS.

Incidenally, I'm using a Max Nighthawk X8 Cherry Brown: http://www.maxkeyboard.com/max-keyboard-nighthawk-x8-blue-backlit-mechanical-keyboard.html

 

[Kitlope]

I remember I had to use an old school keyboard some years ago on a build because my regular usb keyboard wouldn't work.

Good luck Little P! Hopefully we'll be pwning n00bs together in the near future

 

[Shilka]

Good luck P!

 

[JohnnyK]

Yes USB does work without issue but it does not work with a Mechanical Keyboard when building for the first time, I have no idea why?
The same exact thing can be said for my G500 Mouse, I had to switch it out with and old Intellipoint to install the OS.

See, I had no problem installing my rig with a Razer Blackwidow (which is also mechanical) & Deathadder. I also never had issues with any Logitech mice (MX518, G500) before that.

Maybe it's a Canadian thing.

 

[Kitlope]

 

[little P]

:lol: well I'm typing this from the new pc, had some boot issues but overcame them and am now in the process of installing drivers and software, I'm being cautiously optimistic

 

[mondo]

Are you using Windows XP? That might explain it, could never get anything but those old Dell keyboards to work with the installer.

Windows 7 & 8 seem to be OK with USB stuff.