If you want to build your dream PC and are looking for some top tips from the experts, look no further!
We’ve asked around the Overclockers UK office and our technical team to compile this handy guide with our top ten tips for PC building for beginners.
Get All Your Tools Ready Before You Begin
We would definitely recommend that before you start putting your PC together, you get all of your tools ready. The last thing you want happening is to be ready to secure your motherboard into your case, only to find your screwdriver is in the other room!
It is also important that you don’t use any electric tools. Only use hand tools to avoid putting too much force on the screws and damaging components.
A general list of tools you will need is:
- A Phillips head screwdriver (varying sizes would be beneficial)
- A flat head screwdriver
- Pliers
- A wire cutter
- Cable ties
If you are in the market for a toolkit designed for PC building, OcUK has a range of IFixit tools, such as this screwdriver kit.
iFixit Mako 64 Bit Driver Kit
- 64 bit kit – includes Phillips and flat heads
- Includes magnetic aluminium screwdriver
- Storage box included for all 64 bits and screwdriver
Cover Harsh Surfaces
If you build on a harsh surface, you risk damaging your components and PC case. Harsh surfaces can result in scratches, dents, static discharge, and much more!
Some harsh surfaces to avoid include:
- Carpet
- Blankets
- Towels
To prevent this, it is recommended that you avoid any harsh surfaces and invest in a large mouse mat to provide a soft surface on which to build your PC. You could even consider purchasing a specifically designed anti-static mat.
OcUK Mega Mat 3XL Premium Elite Gaming Surface
- 1180 mm x 600mm x 2mm in size
- Stylish geometric print
- Made from woven fibre & cloth
Keep Your Build Area Clean & Tidy
Avoiding loose screws, empty boxes, and any dirt/dust will be beneficial to your building process. A tidy build area will help to prevent you from taking shortcuts, making mistakes, and damaging your components.
Looking for some cleaning tips? Check out our ultimate Spring Cleaning guide!
Be Careful When You Open Your Components
One of the most important things you need to remember is to be extremely careful when you open any packages and handle your components.
For example, one wrong move with your CPU could result in you dropping it and bending the pins. If the pins on the CPU or the CPU socket get bent, it can mean your whole PC will no longer work.
Keep Your Motherboard on the Box
Before you install the motherboard into your case, it’s recommended that you first connect the CPU and RAM to the board. To avoid any damage during this process, keep the motherboard on top of the box it arrived in. This helps to prevent any physical and static damage which could result in the motherboard no longer working.
A quick word of warning: don’t place any components on top of the anti-static packaging. This is because the packaging could be covered in a conductive film that can potentially damage your hardware.
Listen for the Click
Some components, such as RAM, GPU, and power connectors, have an audible click when seated correctly.
Listen out for this click when connecting these components to know you’ve got everything in the correct place!
Cable Manage as You Build
Once you’ve completed a certain task, such as connecting your power cables, we would recommend that you cable tie them together before you begin the next step.
Cable managing allows for ease of access and results in a clean, tidy look to your PC.
Our top tip for cable managing would be to use as few cable ties as possible. Not only does this look great but also allows you to easily remove and replace components in the future.
To help you cable manage, we sell a range of handy accessories to make this process even easier!
LTC Rolls Cable Management Tape (Mixed Colours)
- Double-sided hook and loop tape
- Designed for bundling and fastening cables
- Easy to cut to your desired length
- Mixed colours to suit your aesthetic : (Black, Blue, Yellow, and Red)
LTC Mini Black Cable Management Ties with Labels
- Label cables and make cable organising a breeze
- Black cables with hook and loop bands
- Comes with white labels that you can write on
Looking for more helpful tips on how to cable manage your build? Check out our dedicated blog post for our tips and tricks.
Prepare an OS install Drive
Once you’ve built your PC, you will need to install an operating system in order to use it and begin downloading all your favourite games.
An easy way to do this is to create a USB drive with Windows 10 or 11, whichever you prefer, installed on it. Once plugged into your PC, follow the start-up steps in the set-up to get your system running.
Read the Instructions
All your components will come with a manual that will have instructions on how to install them.
We recommend that you read through these carefully. Be sure to follow every step to try and avoid any mistakes.
Take Your Time!
Finally, the most important thing is that you take your time and don’t rush!
You are more likely to come across issues and faults if you try to speed up the process. Enjoy putting in all that hard work and effort into building your dream PC. Relish the feeling you get when it turns on for the first time.
Overclockers UK Academy
If you come across any issues and want some technical advice, take a look at our Overclockers UK Academy!
In this series, we’ve covered issues such as installing the CPU or GPU. It’s full of helpful top tips on how to build a PC and troubleshooting hardware and software issues.
Building your own gaming PC can be a daunting task. That’s why we’ve put together the Overclockers UK Ultimate PC Building Guide.
Share Your PC Building Tips?
Share your PC building tips in the comments below.
- 6 min read
Ruth Rowley
Author
Ruth has been with Overclockers UK for over a year and has gone on to write about everything ranging from in-depth hardware guides to monthly game releases.
Outside of writing blog posts, she can be found wrapped in a blanket with her black cat, engrossed in a book or playing life-simulation games such as The Sims, Stardew Valley, and Animal Crossing.
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