What's the most difficult aspect of building your own computer?

Answer 1

Making sure that all the parts you order will play together, because if they don't it's nobody's fault and there's nowhere to return the non-working computer to.

Also diagnosing faults that may occur is not much fun either, because it's unlikely that you will have a stock of brand new parts laying around that you can swap for a suspected faulty component.

Answer 2

finding the right combination of CPU, chipset, motherboard for the work you plan to do with the system. For each chipset, many manufacturers make motherboards. You have to study the specs to find out what CPU's will run on it (supported by the BIOS). Depending on the operating system, some components may not be supported.

Keeping the case cool is a challenge. The key is to keep negative air pressure inside the case so that air is pulled through the case. For this to work you have to look at good case engineering first -- not flashy lights that will annoy you anyway in no time. Intel has done a lot about certifying cases for certain mobo/cpu/component combinations. If a case is too hot when you have just built your system, imagine how it gets on a hot day/after hours of video editing/intense game play.

Then, when all works, keep the system closed for a while, get used to it, make the software run, and monitor the temperature. Enjoy!

If things go wrong, understanding elementary electronics helps. Some parts are more likely to fail than others. Sometimes wires connecting the switches/LEDs get damaged. This is easy to repair with soldering/shrink tube. Other thing, well...

Answer 3

Waiting for the parts your ordered to get to you. =]

Honestly, it's a piece of cake as long as you know how to read and follow directions. After deciding what parts to buy (which is daunting itself as the parts have to basically match) the rest was just plugging in, turning screws, and installing software. I built my own system, and it was almost entirely plug related. Most complecated tool I used was a philips head screwdriver. If you can use that, you're good to go.

Buy a computer building mag at your local bookstore (there should be at least one that explains how to build a comp from scratch) or pick up the Building a PC for Dummies book. Also well worth it.

Hardest thing for me was placing the motherboard into the case and bolting it down, trying to keep static free, trying not to drop anything or be too rough with anything. Once it was in the case and secured, though, the rest was cake.

Answer 4

The actual building of the computer is not difficult at all, but finding the parts you want that will work together is difficult, and building a custom case is as complex as you want it to be, unless you plan on no case or buying a premade one.

Also, if the part you want can be found at multiple sites, consider visiting computers.pricegrabber.com as it will show you the cheapest prices for the parts you want.

Answer 5

You can simplify the process by buying a 'bundle'. I bought a mb/cpu/ram combo from Monarch [no longer in business] and not only was the thermal paste applied, but they handled the bios. [note: I did a quick search and there are numerous vendors offering bundle options]

Installing the mb WAS a bit tricky, but not overly.

Case wiring for audio and USB was difficult [frigging tiny plugs and even smaller mb writing...use a magnifying glass and tweezers]. Sad part of this is that I've never used any of the extra connections and could've skipped it entirely.

Answer 6

Building a pc is really easy. probably the most difficult part is jumpering the mainboard correctly if you have jumpers to set.

its all common sense really other than that, take anti static precautions, dont overtighten stuff, make sure your connectors are in the right way, anyone with basic electro- mechanical skills can build one. Configuring the BIOS is easy these days too......go for it

Answer 7

I would consider buying all your parts at http://www.newegg.com because they are pretty good about giving all the information you need on parts before you buy! So when you are buying all your hardware referr to the specifications and make sure everything is compatible! Newegg will usually accept returns on products that HAVE NOT BEEN OPENED! So if the item gets to you and it is the wrong thing, if you notice in time you can return it without paying the 15% restocking fee.

Answer 8

For me it's the installation of the CPU (processor). you have to be real careful when installing in the socket and applying the thermal paste and the heatsink/fan.

The second hardest, depending on the computer case, is the cable/wire management. You want to keep your system running as cool as possible.

Answer 9

deciding on parts & fitting what you decide into your budget somehow! Building a PC is really easy. Perhaps the second hardest thing is making all the right connections on the motherboard.

Answer 10

Partitioning the hard drive and installing the Operating System.