Best Book/Guide to Building/Upgrading a PC

Z

zman1974

Weaksauce
Joined
Sep 2, 2006
Messages
81
I have always had my computers built for me. The hardest thing I have ever put in a computer myself was a graphics card and memory:eek:

I now want to upgrade my platform. Currently, I have an Intel E6700 Core 2 Duo CPU, Intel X975XBX mobo, and 2 GB of Corsair DDR2 memory (still use XP).

I would like to replace all of these components, and go with an AMD CPU (either an X3 720 or X4 955), an ASUS Crosshair III mobo, and 6 GB of DDR3 memory.

My question is:

What is the best book/guide for putting all this together for a noob like me?
 
http://techreport.com/articles.x/13671

That is the guide I used to build my pc. I mainly used it for how to mount the cpu and motherboard, from there on out it becomes very intuitive. I was a little overwhelemd at first before building my pc; however, it was very easy and painless. The main key is to take your time, make sure everything is plugged in and remember your mobos manual is your best friend.

Just noticed your psu dang is that overkill.
 
volt01 said:
http://techreport.com/articles.x/13671
Click to expand...


Good guide. However, I install the motherboard and the RAM before inserting the optical drives and floppy. These slide from the front outside of the case back toward the motherboard inside the case. In small cases this can cause for overlapping and crowdedness.

With the motherboard in, the process is similar to a puzzle. Every piece has a place, and they can only fit in that place.

Just a heads up... It really does not matter once its all together and running.

Have fun connecting the individual wires for front panel USB and audio to their proper pinouts on the motherboard though ;)
 
volt01 said:
http://techreport.com/articles.x/13671

That is the guide I used to build my pc. I mainly used it for how to mount the cpu and motherboard, from there on out it becomes very intuitive. I was a little overwhelemd at first before building my pc; however, it was very easy and painless. The main key is to take your time, make sure everything is plugged in and remember your mobos manual is your best friend.

Just noticed your psu dang is that overkill.
Click to expand...

Thanks. That is what I was looking for. As for the PSU, it was a free upgrade after my first one failed. Velocity Micro really took care of me; got that PSU, a 4870 512MB, and an upgraded water cooling unit for a little over $100.

However, now I want to try to do this on my own as my warranty is about over.
 
For me It was just time spent on this site + looking at the insides of built pc's + common sense that allowed me to put togeter my first PC.

Its really pretty easy.
Posted via [H] Mobile Device
 
if you can plug in memory and a graphics card, you can build a computer.. thats basically all there is to it. that, and just look at the mobo manual for where to plug the header wires from the case, and then a couple power wires, and a sata wire or two.

its not rocket science
 
Neither is trig, but I sucked at that :)

My main concern is plugging all the wires back in their correct sockets, and hooking up the water cooler to the mobo.
 
There's about 12 build guides linked in the STICKY thread at the top of GenHard, titled Gen[H]ard FAQ.

Of course, these aren't linked, since I can't quote the post fully... http://www.hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=1033118488&postcount=2
PC Building Guides
Build-Your-Own-Computer.net
Coding Horror (Blog) - Building a PC -- Part I, Part II, Part III (Overclocking)
Corsair Labs -- Intel Core i7 Build, High Definition HTPC Build (December 2007), February 2007 System Build, December 2005 System Build
Driver Heaven - Building a PC
Expert Village - How to Build a Custom PC Computer -- A series of videos
LifeHacker - DIY: The First-Timer's Guide to Building a Computer from Scratch
MaximumPC - PC Building Guide FAQ (July 2007) -- Part 1, Part 2
MaximumPC - How to Build a Kick-ass $800 Gaming PC (December 2008)
mechBgon's guide for first-time system builders
Tech Report - How to build a PC
Tiger Direct - PC Building Guide -- Somewhat old, but still good

Troubleshooting
AumHa - Troubleshooting Windows STOP Messages -- Good for interpreting the meaning of BSODs
ComputerHope.com - Basic Troubleshooting Steps
Computer Repair with Diagnostic Flowcharts
Directron - Troubleshooting Tips
Microsoft Help and Support page -- For Windows- and Microsoft-related issues
PC Hell
Click to expand...
 
enginurd said:
There's about 12 build guides linked in the STICKY thread at the top of GenHard, titled Gen[H]ard FAQ.

Of course, these aren't linked, since I can't quote the post fully... http://www.hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=1033118488&postcount=2
Click to expand...

Yes, I saw that. My question to people like you, who know much more about building computers than me, is which book/guide/site was best. Having so many options is just as useless as having too few if you don't know what you are doing.
 
There is no 'best' guide. You screw all the components into all the places they go and that's it. If you know how to read an instruction manual you can put together a PC, just read the instructions for each component. You'd have to fail pretty hard to mess it up.
 
Pick one of the 12. :p Everyone has their favorite, and they all pretty much cover the same stuff. Hm... you could start a poll and have people vote for their opinion on the best build guide, if you wanted, lol. :D

Just remember, you can't please everyone. So, the best guide for one person isn't the best guide for another person. ;)

//edit:btw, my fav is mechbgon's... http://www.mechbgon.com/build/index.html
 
Last edited:
Not trying to be an arse, guys, and I do appreciate the advice. I just don't want to screw up hundreds of dollars worth of components; if you say I am making a big deal out of nothing, then I defer to your experience.
 
Actually, it would be best if you read them all, if you want to err on the side of caution. Each of those guides has a lot of valuable information, though some stuff will undoubtedly be redundant, you'll gain a great deal of knowledge by, at the very least, browsing each one. For example, the Corsair guides give you detailed info on Intel's new CPU architecture (its old for AMD) and how it works compared to the old FSB architecture; the mechBgon guide I linked to goes into minute details about the actual assembly with prep, snack breaks, and even goes into further detail about computer security after you've built the system. So again, at the very least, browse each of those links and skim through them -- it will only be to your benefit (I don't see how it would be detrimental).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top