If you’re interested in building your own gaming PC for the first time, you’ll need to know about common PC building mistakes that beginners tend to make when putting one together.
It can be daunting and exciting at the same time, and it’s natural to feel a little nervous if this is your first build. But don’t let that fear stop you from going through with it.
Building a PC is not as hard as most people think, especially if you are following a step-by-step guide on how to build one. If you take things slow and double check all cable connections, there is no reason why your first attempt at building a gaming PC should fail.
After all, practice makes perfect. Even experienced builders encounter problems every now and then when piecing together a new system, so don’t feel bad if it happens to you too. There are some common pitfalls that many beginners make when trying to build their own computer for the first time:
Buying Incompatible Parts
This is one of the most common mistakes that new builders make. You have to make sure that any parts you select will work well together. This means that the parts you’re going to buy have to be compatible with each other in terms of what connection ports they have (PSU compatibility, GPU compatibility, etc).
The best way to make sure that your parts are compatible is to make a checklist of what you want in your PC, search for the parts on a site like Newegg, and check their compatibility with the other parts on your list.
Once you have all of the parts that you need, make sure that they are compatible with each other. If you aren’t sure if two parts are compatible, ask a member of staff at the store where you bought them.
Installing The Fans The Wrong Way
Installing the fans is one of the most important steps of the build. Make sure that you install them the right way. You’ll need to install the fans so that they pull air out of the case, not push air into the case.
If you install them the wrong way, your PC might overheat and shut down. It’s important to read the manuals that come with your fans or check online for installation guides if you aren’t sure how to install them.
Not only that, but the way you install your fans can impact the sound of your PC. If you want to keep noise to a minimum, you’ll need to install the fans correctly. Install the fans so that they are blowing out of the case. This will help to prevent dust from entering your PC as well.
Installing Memory Improperly
This is something that many people don’t think about when building a PC. If you install your memory improperly, it can cause shorts and damage your motherboard.
But don’t worry. If you read the manual that comes with your memory and follow their instructions, there is no reason why this should happen to you. There are two things to keep in mind when installing memory:
Make sure that the DIMM slots on the motherboard are aligned with the DIMM slots on the memory modules. Next, make sure you insert the memory modules completely and they are securely seated in the DIMM.
Failing To Plug-In All The Cables
You’ll need to plug-in cables between the motherboard, PSU, and other components. Some of these cables will be really small, so you might miss them if you don’t pay close attention. Make sure that you plug-in all the cables according to the manual and that they are plugged into the right ports.
If they aren’t plugged in properly, your PC won’t work. Don’t ignore these cables just because they are small. Make sure that you plug them in properly. If you aren’t sure where they go, use the manual as a guide.
Forgetting Standoff Screws
This is something that many people forget about. You’ll need to install standoff screws on the motherboard that will hold it above the case so that you can attach the IO shield and plug-in cables.
That’s where you’ll plug in your USB ports, audio jacks, etc. If you don’t install the standoffs, you won’t be able to plug in any of the cables. And without any cables plugged in, your PC won’t work.
Make sure that you install the standoffs on the motherboard before installing it in the case. If you don’t install them before installing the motherboard, you’ll have a much harder time doing so.
Forgetting The Motherboard IO Shield
This is the metal shield that comes with your motherboard. Not only does it cover up the ports on the motherboard, but it also holds the standoffs in place.
If you don’t install the motherboard IO shield, you won’t be able to plug in any of the cables. You’ll have to find the motherboard IO shield that came with your motherboard.
It’s usually packaged with the motherboard and should be clearly labelled as such. If you don’t find it, check the manual to see if you missed it or if it’s supposed to be installed later in the build process.
Giving Up Before Troubleshooting
Building a computer from scratch is not an easy task but it’s something that you can do. It does take some patience and time because troubleshooting can be tricky and frustrating.
But if you’ve made sure that all the parts are compatible, installed them properly, and plugged them in correctly, then there isn’t much else you can do.
If you’re having trouble getting your computer to turn on, don’t give up. There could be a simple solution to the problem that you just haven’t considered yet. You can use a multi-meter to check for power and ensure that the power supply is properly plugged in and supplying power.
You can also check to make sure that the rest of the cables are plugged in correctly. If nothing comes up, it’s time to troubleshoot the issue. You can also search online for solutions to your problem.
Buying A Low Cost And Poor Quality Power Supply
One of the most important components of your PC is the power supply unit, or PSU, and it’s a mistake many new builders make by buying a poor-quality, low-end unit.
It’s a big mistake to save on this part as it can lead to serious damage to your PC, and sometimes even short circuit. If you buy a cheap, low-quality PSU, it will break down way before its lifespan and will cause damage to your other components in the process.
Another reason why you shouldn’t go for a cheap PSU is because it will not give enough power to run your components properly and you will end up having to replace it sooner than expected.
A high-end PSU should be your priority when putting together your PC. If you have a limited budget, you can always put the rest of the money towards a better PSU. You can find great PSU recommendations on websites like Logical Increments and PC Part Picker to help you out with your selection.
Not Building On A Large Clear Space
When building your own PC, a common error is building it on a confined space. There is a high chance that you might end up ruining your PC because of a short circuit or misplacement of components.
If you’re going to build your PC, clear a large space on the floor or a table where you can spread out all your components and have plenty of room to work with. You should have around 24 inches of space from left to right and 12 inches of space from front to back.
It’s also important to have an open area above your head so you can comfortably plug in the motherboard, processor, and other bulky parts into place.
Failing To Get A Motherboard Speaker
Another common mistake many new builders make is failing to attach the motherboard speaker to their motherboard while building their PC. The motherboard speaker is a small and simple device that is designed to make beeping noises when there is a problem with your PC.
For example, it beeps when your PC is turned on but the monitor is turned off or vice versa. If you don’t plug in the motherboard speaker to your motherboard.
You won’t be alerted when there is a potential issue with your PC. This is one of the easiest things to do, so don’t forget about it if you’re building your own PC for the first time.
Plugging Monitor Into The Motherboard Instead Of The GPU
This is one of the most common mistakes beginners make when building a PC. It’s understandable that you are excited about setting up your new PC and eager to get started.
You might be in such a rush that you plug in the wrong cables in the wrong ports. There is a chance that you might plug your monitor’s HDMI cable into the motherboard instead of the GPU.
When you do this, you won’t be able to see anything on the screen. To avoid plugging in the wrong cables into the wrong ports, you can label them as you go so you don’t get confused later on. It’s also recommended that you put the parts in the same order in which you unboxed them.
So you don’t get confused.It’s easy to make a mistake if you’re rushing things so take your time and double check before plugging in any cables.
Conclusion
When building a computer, it is important to remember that you get what you pay for. While you can build a gaming PC for less than $1000, you will get more features and better performance if you spend more.
The 5 most common mistakes made when building a PC are buying incompatible parts, installing the fans the wrong way, installing memory improperly, failing to plug-in all the cables, and forgetting standoff screws.
To prevent these mistakes, make sure you read the manuals that come with your parts, install the fans so that they are blowing out of the case. Install the memory properly, plug-in all the cables, install the motherboard IO shield, and install the motherboard in the case with standoffs.
