Building your first gaming PC can be an overwhelming experience. As much as you are excited about building the whole rig, you need to follow certain good practices while building your PC. Many first-time PC builders often make some common mistakes that have catastrophic consequences. Whether buying or choosing the right CPU or choosing the best case from various PC cases, you need to steer clear of these five common mistakes while building your first PC.
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1. Wrong amount of thermal paste
Things can get pretty hot when you’re maxing out the clock speed while playing your favorite game. Many first-time PC builders often underestimate the importance of using the right amount of thermal paste when installing a processor. When you mount the CPU heatsink, its pressure spreads the thermal paste evenly and creates a thin paste layer on the surface.
The primary job of the thermal paste is to regulate the surface irregularities and evenly carry the processor heat to the heatsink and regulate the temperature. That way, the heat dissipates without any difficulty. The problem arises when you put too little or too much paste on the surface, and using less paste fails to efficiently cover the surface affecting the optimal heat transfer between the CPU and heat sink. Applying too much paste can increase the chances of spillage, which might lead to short circuits as many thermal pastes have electro-conductive ingredients.
2. Not having internet access during the building process
Though it’s uncommon not to have internet access in today’s digital age, many beginners underestimate its importance during the PC build. PC building is an intricate process. Even though you feel like it, you still need the internet to follow the PC building tutorial. Whether it’s a video tutorial or text-based guide, you need internet access to watch the tutorials and follow the building steps.
One of the benefits of having an internet connection is you can quickly search for any problem or difficulty you get while building your PC. You can Google the problem with the correct search terms, quickly reaching the right solutions. Many experienced builders help beginners answer their questions on forums, and forums can be a great way to solve most PC building problems.
3. Not handling the components with care
Though it might sound obvious to handle the PC components carefully, even a minor impact can cause severe damage to the delicate PC components. Electronic components are usually fragile and suffer from significant damage if not handled carefully.
You have to be extra careful with components like the motherboard and processor as they are more prone to damage. Always hold the processor from the sides and never touch its upper and lower surfaces. You don’t want to bend the delicate pins at the bottom. Even the minor bends can make the whole processor useless, causing a significant financial loss for you. Make sure you carefully place all the components in a safe right place. Make sure they are out of reach of children and pets. Do not unnecessarily open the packaging if you are not going to use it right away. Understand the building process to decide which parts you need to install first.
4. Choosing a wrong PC case
A PC case is a box that holds all your PC components together. PC cases are designed very thoughtfully to accommodate all the PC components. They have dedicated slots for installing CPU, GPU, SSDs, RAMs, and many other essential parts. Make sure you buy the right PC case compatible with the majority of the PC components in different segments. Gone are the days the PC cases used to look like dull white metal boxes. Today’s PC boxes come with a modern, minimalist design that many PC enthusiasts adore. Choosing the right PC case will ensure all your PC components fit in it without needing any additional adjustments.
5. Not paying attention to the compatibility
Compatibility should be your highest priority while building your PC. Many amateur PC builders often buy high-end components only to realize they are not compatible with each other. The GPU and processor should always be compatible with each other. Make sure you purchase the right CPU that complements your graphics power and vice versa. Though such parts have their technical specifications mentioned on the packaging and user manuals, the manufacturers rarely provide any information regarding the best compatible components. The individual has to use their knowledge to understand which parts will be compatible.
Building a PC is an intricate process that requires utmost attention and care. Ensure you follow the proper instructions and get only the compatible and top-quality components to ensure a perfect PC build.
