You have it clear, you want to mount a PC as soon as the current situation normalizes and the prices of the graphics cards return to reasonable levels. You already have a rough idea of the configuration you are going to use, you think everything is fine, and you have a minimum base to be able to assemble it yourself, but are you sure you have not made any mistakes?
Precisely, most of the errors that occur when assembling a PC take place in the previous phase of choosing components, and are motivated by very diverse causes that go from errors in the measurements to "unexpected" incompatibilities. We must also bear in mind that certain assemblies are very simple, but others can end up giving us many headaches.
We will understand it better with a couple of examples. Think how easy and simple it would be to build a PC with an Athlon 3000G APU, 16GB of RAM, and a cheap SSD. The process would be very easy, especially if we do not use any type of RGB LED lighting system or additional fans. Now think of the opposite, imagine a gaming PC with a high-end configuration, nine fans with RGB, several storage units, and an AIO liquid cooling kit. We would have many more things to assemble and to connect.
The conclusion we can draw from these examples is that the more components we are going to use to assemble a PC, the more complex the process will be, the more time we will have to invest, and the more care we will have to be since there will be more risks that something could go wrong.
Today we can find a multitude of tutorials and help videos with step-by-step guides, but despite everything, some important errors are still frequently made when assembling a PC, both in the previous phase of choosing components as in the assembly of those, and that is why I want to share with you this guide, where we are going to analyze twelve frequent errors when assembling a PC.
1. Spending too much money on one or more components when assembling a PC
We tend to think that the most expensive is always going to be the best, but nothing could be further from the truth. It is true that if we limit ourselves to assessing the gross power or performance of a component, a more expensive model will always be better than another, but if we approach it from a price-performance value perspective, things change, a lot.
Think, for example, of the price-performance value offered by the RTX 3090 and RTX 3080. The former is the most powerful graphics card on the market, but it costs 1,549 euros, while the latter has a recommended price of 719 euros. As we can see, the RTX 3090 costs more than twice that of the RTX 3080, but it only yields, on average, 10% more.
The example that I have given you in the previous paragraph also extends to other components, such as processors, RAM, SSD units, and motherboards. Distribute our budget in a balanced way will be essential to assemble a PC capable of offering good performance, without major bottlenecks, and well adjusted to our real needs.
Note: the most expensive is never the best option, and not the most intelligent, take that into account before choosing the components that you are going to use to mount your PC, and carefully evaluate all the options you have before launching yourself. Remember that, in addition, PC components devalue significantly when a new generation arrives on the market, which means that the medium-low ranges, mid-ranges, and "economic" high ranges are usually the best options since they charge less than a drop in prices.
2. Errors in measurements when mounting a PC: insufficient space and components that do not fit
It is a classic. Imagine the scene, you receive all the components at home and you get ready to assemble your PC. You put the motherboard with the CPU, RAM, and liquid cooling AIO kit block already mounted, install the radiator and fans in the front, and soon after you realize that the graphics card does not fit since it collides with the radiator. If you are lucky, you may be able to fit the radiator on top of the chassis, but if not, you will have a serious problem.
I have given that example because it is one of the most common, but it is not the only one. Over the years I have seen everything from CPU fans bumping into the chassis lid because they are too high to configurations where the motherboard doesn't fit directly because the user has purchased a box that only supports the micro-ATX form factor, and you are trying to mount an ATX motherboard.
Before you start buying components like crazy to assemble your PC, take a moment to think about the measurements. Check that the chassis you have chosen can house all the components you want to install, including fans, and make sure that nothing will generate blockages or interference once you start to assemble your PC. In this sense, I want to make a special mention of the RAM that you are going to use, since it is one of the points that are most often overlooked, and that can end up giving more problems.
Note: If you are not careful with the internal space, you will not even be able to finish mounting your PC. Keep in mind that, even if you can get to mount it, if the internal space is very tight, the airflow may not be good, and this affects the working temperatures. Space will also affect the expandability of your PC, so always choose a box large enough to comfortably house all the components you are going to use.
3. Choose unsuitable or incompatible components
This point has things in common with the previous one, since we could consider as incompatible components that do not fit in certain spaces, but in reality, we go a step further and talk about a deeper incompatibility, either due to a question of platform, connectors or feeding.
We could put many examples, but the most frequent today is the one in which you try to mount a processor on a motherboard that is not compatible, or that is not properly updated to support it, and therefore we could end up in a deadlock. , unless the board supports BIOS updates via a USB drive.
There are also cases of components that, although compatible, are not suitable at all. There are also many examples: mounting a high-power graphics card with a very limited power supply, using a high-performance processor with a low-end motherboard whose VRM is very weak, or using DDR4 3,600 MHz RAM on a motherboard. limited to 2,666 MHz.
Note: It is important that you make sure that everything you are going to use to mount your PC is compatible, and that it will also work optimally together. If you mount, for example, an RTX 3080, think that you are going to need a high-quality power supply, and if you want to use a Ryzen 9 5950X keep in mind that you will need a compatible motherboard and with a good VRM.
4. Mount the motherboard too soon
Although it may not seem like it, it can end up being problematic. When we start to assemble a PC, it is advisable to follow a certain order so as not to make things more difficult than they already are. Personally, I recommend always mounting everything we can outside the chassis, that is, "loading" the motherboard with everything we can before having to put it in the box.
Typically, you can mount the processor, cooling system, RAM, and M.2 SSDs before inserting the motherboard into the chassis. If you simply mount the CPU and insert the motherboard directly, you will have to continue working from the inside with more limited space, or you may have to remove it and remount it if the cooling system you are going to use requires a cooling system. specific clamping that you must attach to the back of the motherboard.
It can be uncomfortable and waste time, so before mounting the motherboard, be clear that it is better that you try to "fill" it with all possible components, as long as these will not interfere with other subsequent steps, or not that it does not have the sense to leave them mounted so soon. One of the best examples we have is the graphics card, which we can leave without problems for the final stage.
Note: Make the most of the possibilities of mounting components on the motherboard before inserting it into the chassis, it will save time and be more comfortable.
5. Skip the assembly order of some components
It is an error that is linked to the previous point, and that is also very frequent when setting up a PC, especially in those cases in which the user has no previous experience, or it is very limited. Professionals dedicated to assembling PCs usually have a perfectly defined assembly routine from which they normally start, from which we explained in the previous point.
Thus, the idea is to follow an order when assembling a PC that can start from the following base: mount the processor, the cooling system, the RAM, and the M.2 SSD units on the motherboard, insert it into the chassis, mount fans, and radiators, continue with storage units, power supply, make connections and manage to cable.
If you start to assemble a PC in a messy way, or without having at least one basic pattern predefined, there is a much greater chance that you will end up wasting time, and that you will make other major mistakes.
Note: Before you start building a PC, define a work plan. Be clear about what you should do, where you are going to start, and how you are going to finish the assembly.
6. Not managing the wiring well
Cable management has not always been considered essential when mounting a PC, in fact in the PCs of the nineties it was normal to find a tangle of cables (did someone say IDE cables?) That made the computer look very ugly. inside the equipment, although luckily this was not visible, and it did not have a real impact on working temperatures.
With the passage of time, the importance of wiring has grown enormously, not only because of the aesthetic impact it has but also because it can interfere with certain components, reduce airflow and contribute to a considerable elevation of the cables. working temperatures.
If you are going to mount a PC, keep in mind that you must manage the wiring well. The computer will help you achieve a more attractive aesthetic, improve airflow and facilitate future extensions and updates, since each cable will be properly ordered, and access will be easier. It is an effort that, in the end, is well worth it.
Note: As you mount your PC, look at the spaces that your box has to pass the cables, and once you start connecting things, do not be in a hurry, find the best access route, and take your time. If you are using a modular power supply, connect only the cables you will need.
7. Unbalanced components: Houston, we have a bottleneck
We have already talked about bottlenecks on several occasions. In this guide, we looked at the most important types out there and found out how we were able to avoid them. It is a very hackneyed topic, but unfortunately, it continues to give rise to important errors that are motivated, mainly, by myths and bad advice from people who think they know a lot about the PC world, but who in reality are in a totally opposite situation.
When we have a tight budget to assemble a PC, it is normal to unbalance the components a bit. This does not have to be bad, as long as it is kept within reasonable minimums. For example, if we are going to build a gaming PC and we have a budget of 1,000 euros, it would be perfectly normal to buy a processor like the Core i5 10400F, which costs 139 euros, and accompany it with an RTX 3060 Ti, whose price is 419 euros. With that processor, we would not have a bottleneck, despite the fact that the expense in each component seems to indicate otherwise.
However, with that same budget, it would not make sense to mount a PC with an RTX 3080, which costs 719 euros and accompany it with low-end components. We would have a very marked imbalance, and very serious.
Note: In the end, each user is different, and for this reason, you must refine the choice of components based not only on your budget but also on what you are going to do with the equipment you are going to assemble. It is not a bad thing to invest more in one component, as long as that component is key to getting a good experience with the applications you are going to use, but never overly neglect the other components.
8. Neglecting the power supply: watts are not everything
It is something that, unfortunately, is still very common when mounting a PC. I have seen gaming equipment with a budget of 1,000 euros accompanied by power supplies of 15 or 20 euros, and higher equipment mounts, with a huge budget, which include sources of 30 or 40 euros.
Do not get me wrong, the price does not determine by itself that a source is or is not adequate to mount a specific PC, but it is clear that if we talk about a PC of one thousand euros with a source of 15 euros there is something that does not add up. The power supply is responsible for supplying the energy that each component needs to function. If this fails, all else fails, so we must give it the importance it deserves.
The value of a power supply is not only defined by the watts it offers but by its build quality, by the amperage it achieves, and by the efficiency certification, it has. Thus, a 600-watt power supply that costs 15 euros may be much worse than one that has a power of 500 watts and costs 60 euros. If you need more information on this topic, don't miss our guide dedicated to power supplies.
Note: Before choosing the power supply, be clear about the connectors, the watts, and the amperage that your equipment will need, and always buy a model that has a minimum build quality and an 80 Plus Bronze or higher efficiency certification.
9. Apply the thermal paste incorrectly: be very careful
As many of our readers will know, the thermal paste is the contact element that allows the heat transfer between the CPU and the cooling system that we are going to mount to occur optimally. If we didn't use thermal paste, the transfer between the copper contact base and the processor IHS would be ridiculously inefficient.
Applying the thermal paste well is essential for the proper cooling of the CPU, but it can also end up giving us problems with other components if we are not careful when applying it. It is not common, but I have seen cases of people who have wanted to apply the thermal paste on the copper contact block, instead of on the processor, and have ended up staining the thermal paste on the motherboard socket. This can have disastrous consequences and poses an absurd risk that we should not take.
The quality of thermal paste can also influence cooling, and in many cases determines its shelf life, that is, the time it will take to begin to degrade and lose heat transfer capacity. From that moment on, we will have to change it.
Note: Buy medium quality thermal paste and apply it directly to the processor IHS, being careful not to get it on the motherboard or other components. You don't need to apply a lot, a pea-sized ball in the center of the processor's IHS will suffice. Once you install the cooling system contact pad, the cooling ball will be flattened and spread over the entire IHS optimally.
10. Install the fans with the wrong orientation
It is a very frequent mistake when assembling a PC, and it can end up giving us a huge headache if we realize it when we have already completed the cable management and we have finished the assembly of the PC. We will have to disassemble and reassemble, and we may have to undo some of the cable management.
The fans work in a very simple way, they rotate with a specific orientation that determines where they direct the airflow. If we place a fan with the wrong orientation, it will be doing its job in reverse, and this could give us serious temperature problems, especially in hot areas.
Think, for example, of what would happen if you put a fan to draw in air instead of out. It will be working in the opposite direction to the airflow you wanted to create, and this will prevent the hot air from getting out of the box properly. It is also possible that we place the fans as we wanted, but that we have not made the right decision. For example, when we put the radiator of a liquid cooling kit in the upper part of the chassis, the ideal is that the fans of this take out the hot air, and not that they work by putting air in.
Note: Be clear about how the fans you are going to place work before mounting a PC and think about the airflow you want to create. The ideal is, as a general rule, that the front fans blow in air, and that the upper and rear fans blow out air.
11. Misplacing the RAM and not taking advantage of the dual-channel
It is also very frequent, although this is an error that we can only make when using two RAM memory modules on motherboards with four slots since if we use four modules we will be occupying all the available slots and the dual-channel mode will be activated yes or yes.
Dual-channel mode allows memory to access a 128-bit bus, while in a single channel we would have a 64-bit bus. This improves performance dramatically and is essential to make optimal use of processors with high bandwidth dependence on RAM, such as Ryzen. It also greatly influences the performance of the integrated GPUs, as these lack dedicated graphics memory and use system RAM.
If our motherboard has two RAM memory slots there is no problem, we can directly place the two modules and activate the dual channel. If it has four slots, we must consult the motherboard manual to see in which slots we must place those two modules to activate the dual channel. Typically they need to be placed in alternate slots (for example, occupying slots 1 and 3 ).
Note: Although the general rule is to occupy alternate slots, consult your motherboard manual to be absolutely sure how you should install the RAM to activate the dual channel. Some manufacturers differentiate by color, so you should install the modules in the slots of the same color, or by letters and numbers.
12. Forget an important connector when closing the chassis
We end up with another of the most common errors, and one of the most annoying, since in some cases it can end up ruining our wiring management, and even forcing us to disassemble and reassemble certain components.
When we are going to assemble a PC, the complexity of the wiring and the connectors that we will have to manage will depend on the components that we are going to use. For example, an AIO liquid cooling kit with RGB LED lighting and three fans over a 360mm radiator does not require the same connections as a simple copper-based aluminum radiator and a fan positioned to cool the CPU.
If we also use many fans with RGB LED lighting to mount a PC, the number of cables and connectors increases, and the same would happen if we add sets of RGB LED strips. Assembling a PC can be quick and simple when we limit ourselves to the basic components, or relatively complicated if we add more elements.
In general, it is difficult to make mistakes when connecting the most important components, since the connectors only fit into specific spaces and are easily identified, but with the RGB LED connectors and the fans it is easier for there to be forgetfulness and confusion when mounting a PC.
Note: Go checking the connections of each component on the fly, especially before entering to manage the wiring to leave it properly collected. Before closing the chassis and connecting it, check the most important connectors, and make sure they are tight.
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