PCTech Forums

Hey there guys.

I'm gonna put a new computer together but its the 1st time (I know how and will use anti static precautions etc).

I have never started from scratch before though, only replaced GFX cards and HDD's.

Is there anything I need to be aware of that can seriously damage my computer if I do it wrong?

for example, If I plug something in the wrong way I don't really want to fry my motherboard

Also, does it matter what type of PSU you get? I've heard you have to match the PSU to your type of CPU.

Thanks in advance

Every part your plug into the mobo has been designed so that there's only 1 way it can go in. You have very little to worry about with putting components in the wrong way round and such.

As far as I know, there's absolutely no link between choosing a CPU and PSU. the thing you need to consider with the PSU is if it can supply enough Watts and if it has the right connectors for your mobo and GPU.

I'd say be careful with the HDD since they're fragile. Less of a concern if you're going with an SSD.

If you're getting a 'tool free' case (recommended by Psymon ), make sure you work out how the tool free bits work before you've plugged anything in and work out how they work on one you're unlikely to use. Just to be safe

Probably goes without saying but don't use a screwdriver with a magnetic tip. Easy enough to forgot so I like to mention it.

Buy some extra thermal paste, just in case you make a mistake with installing the heat sink or it could do with some better stuff. Careful using it though, you can very easily add WAY too much.

I like to install the PSU into the case first (if it doesn't get in the way of installing the mobo), then the CPU, RAM, and GPU into the mobo before I screw the mobo into the case because it flexes more once it's on the screws which can't do it much good. Your GPU shouldn't cover any screw holes but double check.

Last thing for now, get a surge protected extension cable. Doubt I need explain that one

Best of luck with the new PC. Tell us about it's spec once you've decided

Eek! I completely forgot I have to glue in the heat sink.. I'll have to find a few youtube vids haha.

Thanks very much for your helpful reply Psymon! (and yes I have a 'tool free' case , bought it especially cos its cool haha).

Heres my spec that I'm thinking of getting:

HDD: Seagate BARRACUDA 750GB SATA 32MB Cache 7200rpm
GFX: Gigabyte Geforce 9800GT 1GB DDR3 PCI-E Video Card
Mobo: Asus P5QC Intel P45 Chipset LGA775 ATX Motherboard
RAM: 2x Transcend DDR2-800 2GIG
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3.00GHz 6M 1333MHz 45nm CPU
PSU: http://www.globespec.co.nz/product.php?PID=28989
Case: http://urcomputer.co.nz/index.php?main_ ... ts_id=1188


Any recommendations? or anything I shouldnt get? (or hopefully I havent put in something thats not compatable)

Thanks again.

Most CPUs come with a little thermal paste already on the heatsink so it's not vital to buy any but I like the phrase 'better safe than sorry'

I'd say compare price/performance of quad core against dual core. You may benefit from the extra 2 cores at some point and I don't think the price difference is all that much.
Possibly go for a lower wattage PSU and a better company such as corsair, seasonic, coolermaster, enermax.
I'd suggest the new 4830 over the 9800GT. same price but higher performance and more features.


ignore the 3dmark tests, 3dmark means nothing.

Thanks again Psymon! I'm slowly learning

I was going to get quad core, but I'll probably be running XP 32-bit so apparently Quad core doesnt work properly in that operating system (it only uses 2 of the 4 cores or something I heard? are you able to clarify? )

And thanks very much on suggesting the 4830 over the 9800GT! After looking at a few reviews I have decided on that one =)

Any other suggestions? cheers

Hi rohaninabout

You mentioned glue and heat sink in the same sentence. Watch out. What you want to use is a thermal paste which is really a very gooey heat transfer compound. If you get it on a shirt or the carpet, it's not going away. They do make heat sink adhesive, which could turn your build into a nightmare. We had a technician get some Artic Silver mixed up with the Artic adhesive. He screwed up about 200 cpu's in an afternoon.The most critical part of the install is placing the CPU chip and making sure the CPU fan is flat on the CPU chip. Read the instructions.

The box you select may have many stand offs for the motherboard only use the ones for that particular board. A stand off placed under the motherboard where it doesn't belong will short out the board.

As for a magnetic screwdriver, I use one all of the time. I can't imagine installing a MB without one. I have a spare old hard drive magnet in my tool kit to remagnetize my screw driver from time to time.There are three types of screws that come with the box. Large thread are for the Hard Drive. Very fine thread are for the CD ROM and floppy. The stand off screws vary, check to see which ones fit first. After you get the system built, give it a good shake and listen for any foreign objects. Plus zip tie any loose wires that are floating, otherwise they may get stuck in a fan. Don't use metal twist ties.

Good luck

There are a couple of things to pay close attention to.
Some cases have front USB connections. The plugs will either be all separated pins, or a block that fits right on. Hopefully it is a block.

If not, you need to be certain that you have the ground and the power leads on the right pins or you could burn up any usb device you plug in.

Also, although 1394 and USB connections look similar on the board, they are not compatible. Do not plug a USB plug onto the 1394 pins. And make sure your switches and LED's are correct on the pins as well.

If you are building any kind of respectable rig, you should go with a 750 Watt minimum 4 rail PSU. That way you can deal with a quad core CPU or a bigger GFX card.

For gaming, Quad core Intel would be better than Quad Core AMD. Trust me on this one.
If you are going AMD, go Dual Core.

Thanks heaps guys!

Heat sink and CPU sounds a bit tricky, might get my tutor to set me right with that one the 1st time.

Ill follow all the instructions really carefully - but what happens if you plug the wrong pins into the wrong sockets? I've heard cases where the motherboard gets fried because of voltage overload etc.
Ill be quadtroople checking though

I think I will get a quadcore - there not much price difference.
Would a 2.4GHz QUAD be better than a 3.0GHz Dual?

Quad: http://www.nzoczone.com/product_info.ph ... 7df20e8b99

Dual: http://pconlineshop.co.nz/pcshop/produc ... s_id=42688


Also, why Intel Quad > AMD Quad? I've heard AMD is better for gaming (runs cooler and more FPS), but Intel is better for video editing and stuff like that.

and to icecube: I just invested in a tool free case , so it uses clips as opposed to screws, but the motherboard will still have to be screwed in so I'll give it a gentle shake just incase - thanks for the info!

Thanks again guys

From a benchmark stand point, Intel Quad will score higher than the Phenom. I am using the Phenom Black Edition 9600. I yielded some disappointing scores. My co-worker is running basically the same rig, but using Intel quad core and is getting 6000 points more on the results. Given the choice between the two Quads for gaming purposes, I would say Intel.

But given the choice between AMD Quad and AMD Dual for gaming, I would say go with either the AMD 6000 3.0 GHz or 6400 3.2GHz.

oh ok. Cheers for that =)

Cheers Bill. I was actually wondering that, and was wondering if there is some rubber ring or anything I should put under each screw. Im getting supervision from my tutor when I do it, so he will set me right if I'm doing anything wrong.

Thanks again everyone