Steps to building a PC

Got a shopping cart of parts that you want opinions on? Get advice from members on your planned or existing system (or upgrade).

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majax79
Posts: 43
Joined: Tue Sep 09, 2008 9:30 pm
Location: FL

Steps to building a PC

Post by majax79 » Wed Feb 05, 2014 7:53 pm

I finally got all of my components today for my 1st PC build. However, I was wondering if someone could recommend either a video or their own opinion on where to start with the installation?

Here are my components:

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HARDWARE

Case: Fractal Design Define R4 Black Pearl w/ USB 3.0 ATX Mid Tower Silent PC Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352020

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I53570K
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504

Motherboard: ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131821

Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 670 FTW 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card 02G-P4-2678-KR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130787

Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Black 1 TB SATA III 7200 RPM 64 MB Cache Internal Desktop Hard Drive Bulk/OEM - WD1002FAEX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533

CPU Cooler: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO RR-212E-20PK-R2 Continuous Direct Contact 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler Compatible with latest Intel 2011/1366/1155 and AMD FM1/AM3+
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099

SSD Hard Drive: Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD2 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=20-148-442

Memory: CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Profile Desktop Memory Model CML8GX3M2A1600C9
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233186

Optical Drive: Lite-On LightScribe 24X SATA DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Drive IHAS424-98 - Retail (Black)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106335

Power Supply: Seasonic SS-660XP2 ATX 12V/EPS 12V, 660W, 80 PLUS PLATINUM Full Modular certified Active PFC Power Supply New 4th Gen CPU Certified Haswell Ready
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151121

Case Fans: Noctua NF-A14 FLX 140mm Case Fan (X2)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608034

CPU Cooler Replacement Fan: Noctua NF-F12 PWM 120mm Case Fan
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608026

PC Toolkit: Rosewill RTK-090 90 Piece Professional Computer Tool Kit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16899261003

Head Phones: Sennheiser HD 558 Headphones
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826106515

Monitor: Dell UltraSharp U2412M Black IPS Panel 24" 8ms Pivot, Swivel & Height Adjustable LED Backlight Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 DC 2,000,000:1 (1000:1) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824260047

Speaker: DELL UltraSharp and Professional Series 468-7412 10 W 2.0 AX510 Flat Panel Stereo SoundBar http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836260002&Tpk=Dell%20AX510

SOFTWARE

Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium
Productivity Suite: Office 2010 Home & Student Edition

bonestonne
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Location: Northern New Jersey
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Re: Steps to building a PC

Post by bonestonne » Wed Feb 05, 2014 8:05 pm

When I do a build, the CPU gets installed on the motherboard, and that goes in first.

Then I install the power supply, followed by the Optical drive and hard drive(s).

Once those are installed, I add fans as needed. Depending on the size of the cooler and where the fans are going, the cooler might on at this point as well. If the backside of the socket isn't accessible from the back of the case, I'll put it on first. It will be tough to screw the motherboard in with the cooler there, but sometimes you don't have a choice.

As I add more, I will sort through the cables from the power supply as I need them, and arrange them by what connectors are used, and how many I need in any one place. I will minimize what cables are used, and all the other ones get tied up behind the motherboard or out of sight as best as possible. I might rearrange the cables several times while adding components as I go.

I will use many zip ties to arrange things and keep them in place and neat. It's a lot of experience really, but it takes time. It'll take me about an hour to get the parts in the case and organized. I do every build more or less the same way, whether it's a big gaming machine, or a little ITX media center. But since I work at a shop, it helps to just have a set method because it does speed things up.

Vicotnik
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Re: Steps to building a PC

Post by Vicotnik » Thu Feb 06, 2014 2:41 am

I do motherboard on it's antistatic bag, on the table. Perhaps with a piece of cardboard under the antistatic bag. CPU and it's cooler first, also memory sticks. Study the layout of the board, see what headers and connectors you need to connect later. ESD kills electronics so don't touch it too much, hold it by the grounded parts mostly if you can.

Screw the motherboard into the case. Don't forget the backplate!

As bonestonne points out, zip ties are great for cable management.

toronado455
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Location: CA, USA

Re: Steps to building a PC

Post by toronado455 » Fri Feb 07, 2014 5:08 am

Before you install the MB in the case, remember to pop the I/O plate into the case first. I have forgotton to do that several times and had to disassemble stuff. Just my 2 cents.

CA_Steve
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Re: Steps to building a PC

Post by CA_Steve » Fri Feb 07, 2014 8:18 am

Vicotnik wrote:I do motherboard on it's antistatic bag, on the table.
Gah!

There are different types of anti-static bags. Many only provide protection to the component INSIDE the bag. The outside might be untreated mylar or other plastic.

ESD protection is very important but very easy to take care of. After you sit at your work table, touch your finger to a known ground point (I use the metal strip on my surge protector. An unpainted metal screw on your room's light switch or electrical outlet (assuming you have 3-wire plugs and wiring) is another ground point. When your PC is in the case and plugged in, your case becomes a ground point). Then, don't shuffle your feet on the carpeted floor or wiggle your butt on the polyester fiber seat cushion to rebuild static charge.

Vicotnik
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Re: Steps to building a PC

Post by Vicotnik » Fri Feb 07, 2014 1:31 pm

CA_Steve wrote:Gah!

There are different types of anti-static bags. Many only provide protection to the component INSIDE the bag. The outside might be untreated mylar or other plastic.
Thanks for pointing that out. Is there a way to tell the difference? Or am I better off just forgetting about the bag and put the board directly on the piece of cardboard?

CA_Steve
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Re: Steps to building a PC

Post by CA_Steve » Fri Feb 07, 2014 1:46 pm

Forget the bag and use the cardboard.

quest_for_silence
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Re: Steps to building a PC

Post by quest_for_silence » Fri Feb 07, 2014 2:43 pm

Vicotnik wrote:put the board directly on the piece of cardboard?

Or some polyethylene foam sheet.

lodestar
Posts: 1683
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Location: UK

Re: Steps to building a PC

Post by lodestar » Sat Feb 08, 2014 12:58 am

majax79 wrote:...I was wondering if someone could recommend either a video or their own opinion on where to start with the installation?
This Youtube video by Asus on building a Z87 computer may help.

toronado455
Posts: 376
Joined: Mon May 15, 2006 12:24 pm
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Re: Steps to building a PC

Post by toronado455 » Tue Mar 04, 2014 5:43 am

majax79 wrote:

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CPU Cooler: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO RR-212E-20PK-R2 Continuous Direct Contact 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler Compatible with latest Intel 2011/1366/1155 and AMD FM1/AM3+
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099

CPU Cooler Replacement Fan: Noctua NF-F12 PWM 120mm Case Fan
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608026
Have you put this together yet? Considering the cost of the 212 EVO + the NF-F12, it's about the same as getting a Noctua NH-U12S heatsink which includes the NF-F12. Any opinions?

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