6 ms·

Building a PC is fun but there's stuff that can go wrong. In case you are not familiar with what can go wrong, here there is a vastly incomplete list: - You c

Building a PC is fun but there's stuff that can go wrong. In case you are not familiar with what can go wrong, here there is a vastly incomplete list: - You can damage the PSU by selecting the wrong voltage, you might have a PSU doesn't supply enough wattage. - You can buy incompatible components that won't work with each other. - You could have static electricity, and you won't notice until you turn the computer on and you hear a little spark sound... that means something died. - Causing a short circuit by leaving a metallic object lying around (e.g: a screw) - Getting a thermal problem by applying the thermal paste wrong or connecting a fan spinning to the other side. - Crushing the processor by installing the heatsink with too much muscle. - Connecting light cables to pins that are not for lights causing unintended behavior. In short, there's a lot you can get from building your own system but it can also go wrong... and when it does: no warranty, you are on your own.

maksimum 9y ago
Sure those things are potential mis-haps, but they're pretty easily covered by watching a few guide videos. You could apply your argument to the operating system ... sure you could pay someone to administer it for you under warranty, or you could just learn things as you go and you'll be fine 99.9% of the time.
- partycoder 9y ago
  Sure. Also a good idea to get an anti-static wrist band, and not use a wool sweater or something while assembling.
Dylan16807 9y ago
A fair point, though most of those are very low risk. But I want to point out that PSU voltage selection is a thing of the past. Really you should have no PSU problems if you go with a real brand.
bdcravens 9y ago
Perhaps this is my age showing, but I came up building my own computers. Like many I've enjoyed the convenience of running just MBPs for years, but I've easily built a dozen plus machines, and never had any of the disastrous situations you described occur.
- noir_lord 9y ago
  Same except it's several dozen since once friends/family see what I got for what I paid the next request is "Can you build one for me?". I do it for beer/nice bottle of scotch and to keep my hand-in for when I build my work machines (I have Ryzen parts on order at the moment just waiting for them to turn up, for the new jobs desktop). If you take your time, read the manuals (heresy I know) there isn't very much that can go wrong. It's also gotten remarkably easier over the years, connectors have improved etc.
  - paulmd 9y ago
    There's really only a handful of things that I dread doing during a computer build. One is attaching the CPU power connector, since in many cases it's absolutely JAMMED against the top of the case/a fan/etc. Getting it off is even more of a nightmare, if you ever need to change the PSU. I changed a PSU last week and spent a half hour trying to open the latch with a screwdriver while tugging on the wires (and hoping I didn't rip them out). I tried needlenose pliers, couldn't get a grip on that stupid smooth plastic connector body. The worst, though, is attaching those stupid 1-pin jumper sockets for the power switch/the LEDs/etc. HOW IN THE WORLD has nobody standardized that connector block and turned it into a single pluggable unit like the AC97/HD Audio connector?
    - noir_lord 9y ago
      With you on the 1-pin's so fiddly and often impossible to make out once you have the board in and your hands are in there, I've started taking a sharp picture of them and then having that on my phone so I can can count in and down. Also yes why the hell is that that not a standard.
- randallsquared 9y ago
  Since 1995 or so, I've built perhaps 15 machines (several as personal machines, several for others, a few desktop-format servers), with a long detour through Apple land in the middle. I have fairly frequently had issues like the ones mentioned by the gp. Some factors: I'm clumsy and break things. I did not, in the 1990s, take static seriously. The instructions that come with computer parts are often more reminder than instruction: they have a lot of useless boilerplate, and then the actual instructions will admit more than one interpretation or simply imply the correct actions rather than state them. I have more than once had the experience of not being able to complete a build until the next day because some screw I needed was not included, or the screwhole wasn't threaded, or because a 2 cent plastic tool was not included, but still semi-required. Going back to the store might be something you can do, but maybe you'll have to wait for shipping, or maybe the store is far enough that it's a weekend activity to go (not everyone has a Fry's or Microcenter within ten miles...). Over the weekend, I, too, picked up a shiny new Ryzen and mainboard. Since I have had poor experiences ordering parts from Amazon, Newegg, etc, I drove to Microcenter and picked up the parts I needed. If I got the wrong part, it would be a week before I could go back, so I'd probably order online, but that doesn't satisfy they "build a new machine this weekend" desire... The sales rep helpfully told me I'd need an adaptor for the heatsink/fan, which was important and which I'd not run across online in research... why would there be a bunch of mainboards available for AM4, but no heatsinks to attach to them? But that seemed to be the case, at least there in the store. If I'd bought parts online, frustration would have definitely ensued. The heatsink came with around 20 screws and other parts, and a complicated process for attaching a part that looked like a swiveling X to hold the heatsink against the CPU. The adaptor had a single bar with two latch-and-screw arrangements. It showed an image of how to attach it. It said "Easy installation!" in the instructions, and that was the only clue that you need not use all the other hardware that came with the heatsink. It literally took more than half an hour for me to understand that this was how it was. While there are definitely similarities, and things that don't change much any more (ATX, for example), the details of things like storage connectors (large plastic with thick metal pins for IDE, then small plastic tabs for SATA, now a spring-loaded card insert on the mainboard with a screw to hold down the other end of the m.2 card...) change so frequently that if you only build a machine when you need it (4-10 years apart), you'll be dealing with several new connections and card types, and everything has to be approached from the standpoint of "if I slip or the static clip is pulled off the grounding or I am too confident that something should fit where it does not, I will end up going back to the store and buying a new whatever".
ryan-allen 9y ago
For a small fee, shops usually will build the PC for you, and you can pick from a set of their builds. Some shops will do fully custom ones for you. Also there is this: http://www.logicalincrements.com/ http://www.logicalincrements.com/
- onli 9y ago
  That's a plug for a project of mine: You could also use https://www.pc-kombo.de https://www.pc-kombo.de. It will directly return compatible parts for the given budget.
- quickben 9y ago
  But where is the fun that?:) Every few years, I build my own after few months off reading and picking parts. Great hobby.
  - ryan-allen 9y ago
    I know right! I love building PCs. I was itching so hard to build a new one but couldn't really justify it... so I bought a new case and CPU cooler and did a transplant.
- clarry 9y ago
  A few years ago, my little sister decided to buy a herself a gaming PC, built to spec. The shop provided two tiers of building service, and she went with the more expensive "Pro" service. When the machine arrived, it did not boot. CPU error on board lit. Peeking through the back IO panel, I caught a glimpse of CPU pins. Yes, AMD. CPU wasn't seated properly sigh. They still had managed to force the heatsink on it, and the metal bracket was a little bent so after reseating the CPU properly, the sink would sit on rather loose. I'm surprised the pins were intact and the CPU still worked just fine.
  - jquery 9y ago
    Just out of curiosity, which shop was this? In my opinion what they did is basically fraud, any legitimate "Pro" service should run benchmarks and tests to ensure the hardware is in 100% working condition. Unfortunately, a lot of places prey on students and the budget conscious and do a slap-dash job no matter what kind of build you select (speaking from personal experience). Storytime: I bought my newest computer a couple weeks ago from Puget Systems. Along with the PC, they shipped a 30-page custom binder that included the results of all the benchmarks and tests they ran, plus thermal images they took during the process to ensure optimal airflow. When I hit the power button for the first time, my desktop appeared within 5 seconds, with all Windows updates and the latest drivers/firmware installed already. The cabling job inside the PC was immaculate, and the PC is whisper quiet even though it's overclocked. Moral is, if you're going to pay a premium for a pre-built custom PC, do it from a high quality vendor.
omgtehlion 9y ago
most of these can be avoided by just reading the manual. > - You can damage the PSU by selecting the wrong voltage... What voltage are talking about? Curent PSUs do not care about input (if it falls into roughly 70-280 volts no matter DC or AC and frequency). Output voltage is usually 3/5/12 or CPU-specific. All these voltages are routed to special connectors which cannot be inserted wrong way. (evev with a lot of force). > ...a PSU doesn't supply enough wattage This will cost you a single roundtrip to the store to replace with a beefier one. > - You can buy incompatible components that won't work with each other. Most stores have “configurators” (on their web sites) that show only compatible parts. If you are not sure, just google a reviev/assembly example and order the same set. > - You could have static electricity, and you won't notice until you turn the computer on and you hear a little spark sound... that means something died. Never ever had a part died due to static. Before assembling touch the metal case of your new PC, that is usually enough to discharge. > - Getting a thermal problem by applying the thermal paste wrong or connecting a fan spinning to the other side. Nowadays thermal interface is pre-applied for you. And the fan is already screwed to radiator. > - Crushing the processor by installing the heatsink with too much muscle. You cannot crush a new intel or amd cpu, even with a hammer (if you are not assembling ultrabooks with bare dies of course). > - Connecting light cables to pins that are not for lights causing unintended behavior. I do not know what are you talking about. Most of connectors can be inserted (physically) only the correct way and only into intended sockets. Those which can be misconnected are usually labeled/colored accordingly. Just match form/color/label, even a kindergartener can manage this.
- partycoder 9y ago
  > What voltage are talking about? I am pretty sure I've fried PSUs with 110V rather than 220V, in a 220V grid. Haven't tried this on newer PSUs. > This will cost you a single roundtrip to the store to replace with a beefier one. What if that store is an online store? what if you actually imported your parts from abroad? What if there is a no refund policy? > Most stores have “configurators” (on their web sites) that show only compatible parts If someone is filtering using the wrong criteria, e.g: price, can end up selecting wrong parts. It's possible if you are not familiar with this. > Never ever had a part died due to static. Before assembling touch the metal case of your new PC, that is usually enough to discharge. Yes. But you do this exactly because it's possible. It's easy to prevent, but first you need to be aware of it. > Nowadays thermal interface is pre-applied for you. And the fan is already screwed to radiator. Some fans/heatsinks include a pad of thermal paste, some others will require you to apply the paste. The CPU fan/heatsink is hard to connect wrong, but installing extractors in your case need you to be aware of where the air is flowing. It's not impossible to attach an extractor flipped to the other side. - Then after you are done with all the hardware, there comes the software, and getting everything installed correctly with the right drivers can also be challenging for some. And yes, all issues are preventable, and a lot of it is "connecting stuff where it fits", and with a short intro and common sense it can be easy to assemble a machine. My point was that there are still details you need to be aware of. And there's a non-zero risk you need to be aware of. Many people require help to install a printer, let alone assembling a machine.
wccrawford 9y ago
You're getting downvoted by all the people who have built their own computers for years, and I think that's sad. Building your first computer is incredibly scary and there are indeed a lot of ways to screw up. It's something that should be approached with an appropriate amount of fear so that you are careful. But if you are careful, it's really not as bad as it seems. You can buy static wrist straps to eliminate the possibility of shocking any of your parts. I never wear one, and I'm pretty sure I've never killed anything that way. And if I had, I'd just RMA it like any other bad part. The connectors these days are incredibly easy to match up and there won't be any problem with voltages or anything. Incompatible parts can be returned, as long as you bought it somewhere reputable like Newegg or Amazon. Don't leave screws lying around. This is just good sense. If you're the kind that can't keep track of things, then yeah, don't build machines that cost hundreds of dollars. Crushing the processor? If you manage that, you didn't read the instructions. The only time I've seen bent pins is when someone didn't read. I've never even heard of "crushing" a CPU while installing it. The rest of the stuff is just following instructions and doing things slowly and carefully.
- dom0 9y ago
  > Crushing the processor? If you manage that, you didn't read the instructions. The only time I've seen bent pins is when someone didn't read. I've never even heard of "crushing" a CPU while installing it. Last time this happened was back in the Athlon days were CPUs had no heat-spreader, so you could literally chip the edge off the chip by setting the heat sink down on it with an angle. Needless to say, most of the silicon in a CPU is actually needed for it to work :) (For the record - it actually needed a decent bit of force) This doesn't happen with mobile CPUs, which don't have heat-spreaders either, because their cooling units are much, much lighter compared to the coolers of the Athlon era. IIRC there were also some problems with high-end after-market coolers and Skylake (which lowered mounting force tolerance due to a thinner interposer PCB), but it was publicized quickly and manufacturers reacted as well.
marcosdumay 9y ago
I upvoted you because those are true... But yes, except for getting incompatible parts and thermal problems, it's hard to manage to fall into any of those other errors. Specifically about static electricity, almost always it's enough to just make sure you touch the metal body of the processor before its pins (what's inevitable if you are taking it from the original box). Despite the warnings, most parts are not very sensitive to static at all, make sure you discharge any extra charge by touching the floor and you are good to go.

maksimum 9y ago

Sure those things are potential mis-haps, but they're pretty easily covered by watching a few guide videos. You could apply your argument to the operating system ... sure you could pay someone to administer it for you under warranty, or you could just learn things as you go and you'll be fine 99.9% of the time.

partycoder 9y ago
Sure. Also a good idea to get an anti-static wrist band, and not use a wool sweater or something while assembling.

Dylan16807 9y ago

A fair point, though most of those are very low risk. But I want to point out that PSU voltage selection is a thing of the past. Really you should have no PSU problems if you go with a real brand.

bdcravens 9y ago

Perhaps this is my age showing, but I came up building my own computers. Like many I've enjoyed the convenience of running just MBPs for years, but I've easily built a dozen plus machines, and never had any of the disastrous situations you described occur.

noir_lord 9y ago
Same except it's several dozen since once friends/family see what I got for what I paid the next request is "Can you build one for me?". I do it for beer/nice bottle of scotch and to keep my hand-in for when I build my work machines (I have Ryzen parts on order at the moment just waiting for them to turn up, for the new jobs desktop). If you take your time, read the manuals (heresy I know) there isn't very much that can go wrong. It's also gotten remarkably easier over the years, connectors have improved etc.
- paulmd 9y ago
  There's really only a handful of things that I dread doing during a computer build. One is attaching the CPU power connector, since in many cases it's absolutely JAMMED against the top of the case/a fan/etc. Getting it off is even more of a nightmare, if you ever need to change the PSU. I changed a PSU last week and spent a half hour trying to open the latch with a screwdriver while tugging on the wires (and hoping I didn't rip them out). I tried needlenose pliers, couldn't get a grip on that stupid smooth plastic connector body. The worst, though, is attaching those stupid 1-pin jumper sockets for the power switch/the LEDs/etc. HOW IN THE WORLD has nobody standardized that connector block and turned it into a single pluggable unit like the AC97/HD Audio connector?
  - noir_lord 9y ago
    With you on the 1-pin's so fiddly and often impossible to make out once you have the board in and your hands are in there, I've started taking a sharp picture of them and then having that on my phone so I can can count in and down. Also yes why the hell is that that not a standard.
randallsquared 9y ago
Since 1995 or so, I've built perhaps 15 machines (several as personal machines, several for others, a few desktop-format servers), with a long detour through Apple land in the middle. I have fairly frequently had issues like the ones mentioned by the gp. Some factors: I'm clumsy and break things. I did not, in the 1990s, take static seriously. The instructions that come with computer parts are often more reminder than instruction: they have a lot of useless boilerplate, and then the actual instructions will admit more than one interpretation or simply imply the correct actions rather than state them. I have more than once had the experience of not being able to complete a build until the next day because some screw I needed was not included, or the screwhole wasn't threaded, or because a 2 cent plastic tool was not included, but still semi-required. Going back to the store might be something you can do, but maybe you'll have to wait for shipping, or maybe the store is far enough that it's a weekend activity to go (not everyone has a Fry's or Microcenter within ten miles...). Over the weekend, I, too, picked up a shiny new Ryzen and mainboard. Since I have had poor experiences ordering parts from Amazon, Newegg, etc, I drove to Microcenter and picked up the parts I needed. If I got the wrong part, it would be a week before I could go back, so I'd probably order online, but that doesn't satisfy they "build a new machine this weekend" desire... The sales rep helpfully told me I'd need an adaptor for the heatsink/fan, which was important and which I'd not run across online in research... why would there be a bunch of mainboards available for AM4, but no heatsinks to attach to them? But that seemed to be the case, at least there in the store. If I'd bought parts online, frustration would have definitely ensued. The heatsink came with around 20 screws and other parts, and a complicated process for attaching a part that looked like a swiveling X to hold the heatsink against the CPU. The adaptor had a single bar with two latch-and-screw arrangements. It showed an image of how to attach it. It said "Easy installation!" in the instructions, and that was the only clue that you need not use all the other hardware that came with the heatsink. It literally took more than half an hour for me to understand that this was how it was. While there are definitely similarities, and things that don't change much any more (ATX, for example), the details of things like storage connectors (large plastic with thick metal pins for IDE, then small plastic tabs for SATA, now a spring-loaded card insert on the mainboard with a screw to hold down the other end of the m.2 card...) change so frequently that if you only build a machine when you need it (4-10 years apart), you'll be dealing with several new connections and card types, and everything has to be approached from the standpoint of "if I slip or the static clip is pulled off the grounding or I am too confident that something should fit where it does not, I will end up going back to the store and buying a new whatever".

ryan-allen 9y ago

For a small fee, shops usually will build the PC for you, and you can pick from a set of their builds. Some shops will do fully custom ones for you. Also there is this: http://www.logicalincrements.com/ http://www.logicalincrements.com/

onli 9y ago
That's a plug for a project of mine: You could also use https://www.pc-kombo.de https://www.pc-kombo.de. It will directly return compatible parts for the given budget.
quickben 9y ago
But where is the fun that?:) Every few years, I build my own after few months off reading and picking parts. Great hobby.
- ryan-allen 9y ago
  I know right! I love building PCs. I was itching so hard to build a new one but couldn't really justify it... so I bought a new case and CPU cooler and did a transplant.
clarry 9y ago
A few years ago, my little sister decided to buy a herself a gaming PC, built to spec. The shop provided two tiers of building service, and she went with the more expensive "Pro" service. When the machine arrived, it did not boot. CPU error on board lit. Peeking through the back IO panel, I caught a glimpse of CPU pins. Yes, AMD. CPU wasn't seated properly sigh. They still had managed to force the heatsink on it, and the metal bracket was a little bent so after reseating the CPU properly, the sink would sit on rather loose. I'm surprised the pins were intact and the CPU still worked just fine.
- jquery 9y ago
  Just out of curiosity, which shop was this? In my opinion what they did is basically fraud, any legitimate "Pro" service should run benchmarks and tests to ensure the hardware is in 100% working condition. Unfortunately, a lot of places prey on students and the budget conscious and do a slap-dash job no matter what kind of build you select (speaking from personal experience). Storytime: I bought my newest computer a couple weeks ago from Puget Systems. Along with the PC, they shipped a 30-page custom binder that included the results of all the benchmarks and tests they ran, plus thermal images they took during the process to ensure optimal airflow. When I hit the power button for the first time, my desktop appeared within 5 seconds, with all Windows updates and the latest drivers/firmware installed already. The cabling job inside the PC was immaculate, and the PC is whisper quiet even though it's overclocked. Moral is, if you're going to pay a premium for a pre-built custom PC, do it from a high quality vendor.

omgtehlion 9y ago

most of these can be avoided by just reading the manual. > - You can damage the PSU by selecting the wrong voltage... What voltage are talking about? Curent PSUs do not care about input (if it falls into roughly 70-280 volts no matter DC or AC and frequency). Output voltage is usually 3/5/12 or CPU-specific. All these voltages are routed to special connectors which cannot be inserted wrong way. (evev with a lot of force). > ...a PSU doesn't supply enough wattage This will cost you a single roundtrip to the store to replace with a beefier one. > - You can buy incompatible components that won't work with each other. Most stores have “configurators” (on their web sites) that show only compatible parts. If you are not sure, just google a reviev/assembly example and order the same set. > - You could have static electricity, and you won't notice until you turn the computer on and you hear a little spark sound... that means something died. Never ever had a part died due to static. Before assembling touch the metal case of your new PC, that is usually enough to discharge. > - Getting a thermal problem by applying the thermal paste wrong or connecting a fan spinning to the other side. Nowadays thermal interface is pre-applied for you. And the fan is already screwed to radiator. > - Crushing the processor by installing the heatsink with too much muscle. You cannot crush a new intel or amd cpu, even with a hammer (if you are not assembling ultrabooks with bare dies of course). > - Connecting light cables to pins that are not for lights causing unintended behavior. I do not know what are you talking about. Most of connectors can be inserted (physically) only the correct way and only into intended sockets. Those which can be misconnected are usually labeled/colored accordingly. Just match form/color/label, even a kindergartener can manage this.

partycoder 9y ago
> What voltage are talking about? I am pretty sure I've fried PSUs with 110V rather than 220V, in a 220V grid. Haven't tried this on newer PSUs. > This will cost you a single roundtrip to the store to replace with a beefier one. What if that store is an online store? what if you actually imported your parts from abroad? What if there is a no refund policy? > Most stores have “configurators” (on their web sites) that show only compatible parts If someone is filtering using the wrong criteria, e.g: price, can end up selecting wrong parts. It's possible if you are not familiar with this. > Never ever had a part died due to static. Before assembling touch the metal case of your new PC, that is usually enough to discharge. Yes. But you do this exactly because it's possible. It's easy to prevent, but first you need to be aware of it. > Nowadays thermal interface is pre-applied for you. And the fan is already screwed to radiator. Some fans/heatsinks include a pad of thermal paste, some others will require you to apply the paste. The CPU fan/heatsink is hard to connect wrong, but installing extractors in your case need you to be aware of where the air is flowing. It's not impossible to attach an extractor flipped to the other side. - Then after you are done with all the hardware, there comes the software, and getting everything installed correctly with the right drivers can also be challenging for some. And yes, all issues are preventable, and a lot of it is "connecting stuff where it fits", and with a short intro and common sense it can be easy to assemble a machine. My point was that there are still details you need to be aware of. And there's a non-zero risk you need to be aware of. Many people require help to install a printer, let alone assembling a machine.

wccrawford 9y ago

You're getting downvoted by all the people who have built their own computers for years, and I think that's sad. Building your first computer is incredibly scary and there are indeed a lot of ways to screw up. It's something that should be approached with an appropriate amount of fear so that you are careful. But if you are careful, it's really not as bad as it seems. You can buy static wrist straps to eliminate the possibility of shocking any of your parts. I never wear one, and I'm pretty sure I've never killed anything that way. And if I had, I'd just RMA it like any other bad part. The connectors these days are incredibly easy to match up and there won't be any problem with voltages or anything. Incompatible parts can be returned, as long as you bought it somewhere reputable like Newegg or Amazon. Don't leave screws lying around. This is just good sense. If you're the kind that can't keep track of things, then yeah, don't build machines that cost hundreds of dollars. Crushing the processor? If you manage that, you didn't read the instructions. The only time I've seen bent pins is when someone didn't read. I've never even heard of "crushing" a CPU while installing it. The rest of the stuff is just following instructions and doing things slowly and carefully.

dom0 9y ago
> Crushing the processor? If you manage that, you didn't read the instructions. The only time I've seen bent pins is when someone didn't read. I've never even heard of "crushing" a CPU while installing it. Last time this happened was back in the Athlon days were CPUs had no heat-spreader, so you could literally chip the edge off the chip by setting the heat sink down on it with an angle. Needless to say, most of the silicon in a CPU is actually needed for it to work :) (For the record - it actually needed a decent bit of force) This doesn't happen with mobile CPUs, which don't have heat-spreaders either, because their cooling units are much, much lighter compared to the coolers of the Athlon era. IIRC there were also some problems with high-end after-market coolers and Skylake (which lowered mounting force tolerance due to a thinner interposer PCB), but it was publicized quickly and manufacturers reacted as well.

marcosdumay 9y ago

I upvoted you because those are true... But yes, except for getting incompatible parts and thermal problems, it's hard to manage to fall into any of those other errors. Specifically about static electricity, almost always it's enough to just make sure you touch the metal body of the processor before its pins (what's inevitable if you are taking it from the original box). Despite the warnings, most parts are not very sensitive to static at all, make sure you discharge any extra charge by touching the floor and you are good to go.