If you're getting ready to build a PC, you'll need some basic tools besides as your components.

Here we're giving a rundown of tools and equipment yous should have on manus for the best building experience.

one. Screwdriver

The one nearly essential tool for building a reckoner is a Phillips-head screwdriver. This is used for tightening the screws on nigh components to hold them in place. Get a decent quality screwdriver of an appropriate size to make your life easier.

It is useful for your screwdriver to be magnetic as this will help yous to keep control of your screws when fitting items from awkward angles.

two. Pliers

Sometimes y'all'll find a screw or bolt which is so tight it'south difficult to undo it. In these cases, a pair or pliers is useful. You can apply them to loosen upwardly tight fastenings.

Pliers are likewise handy for retrieving small screws if you driblet them into a cramped location similar behind the motherboard tray. You want to make sure y'all remove any loose screws, equally leaving them in the case could potentially cause an electrical short. So if yous drop a spiral, be sure to call up it earlier standing.

iii. Anti-Static Equipment

You should be aware of the minor gamble to your components from electrostatic discharge. This occurs when two surfaces rub together and create static electricity, which tin create a pocket-sized spark. If this happens near your components, it tin harm them.

At that place's some debate over how serious a problem this is when building a PC, merely if you've spent a lot of money on components then it's a good idea to take extra precautions.

The all-time mode to avert electrostatic discharge is to wear an anti-static wrist strap. This is a bracelet-like device which you attach effectually your wrist and connects to an electrical socket. That way, if any electric charge builds upward between your trunk and the computer, it can be safely dissipated through the socket and won't create a spark.

4. A Clean Workspace

It's important to have infinite to work while you lot build. Look for a flat surface at an advisable superlative then y'all're non bending over and hurting your dorsum, with good clear overhead lighting. Some parts are small or hard to seat correctly and information technology'll be much easier if you lot tin see what you're doing.

One matter to avoid is working on carpet. Carpet tin generate static electricity, especially if y'all're wearing fluffy socks, which can potentially damage your components. This isn't very likely to happen just information technology is a run a risk.

The best surfaces are a wooden desk or coffee tabular array, or you could apply your kitchen counter as long as there's enough room and y'all aren't too almost the sink.

five. Nil Ties

In one case your components are placed into your case, y'all demand to manage the cables to continue everything swell and tidy and to brand sure yous're not obstructing any airflow.

To do this, you'll demand zip ties, velcro ties, or twist ties. These volition let you tie down cables to points inside your case and package cables together for easier management.

See our article on cable management tips for building a PC like a pro for more on this topic.

vi. Thermal Paste

If you purchase a new CPU or a new libation, information technology will probably come with a small-scale tube of thermal paste. Simply if you are edifice using second-hand components, you'll need to supply your own thermal paste.

You may besides desire to consider having your own thermal paste on paw every bit the paste that comes with some CPUs or coolers is not of the best quality. The thermal paste helps transfer heat from your CPU to the cooler then using a quality paste tin can help forestall your computer from overheating.

Some pop quality thermal pastes are Arctic Silver five, Thermal Grizzly Conductonaut, or Noctua NT-H1.

If you're using an all-in-ane cooler you won't need thermal paste equally it will come with paste pre-applied. Merely make sure yous understand how little thermal paste is needed before applying.

7. Rubbing Booze

If yous're adding new thermal paste to your CPU, you'll need to remove the old thermal paste commencement. Thermal paste hardens over time and becomes crusty and less effective.

Fortunately removing old thermal paste is very easy. You can utilize rubbing booze to remove it. Only dip a q-tip in the rubbing alcohol and gently rub at the quondam thermal paste to remove information technology.

If you don't have rubbing booze you can apply acetone in a pinch, which is found in nail varnish remover. Withal, some nail varnish removers incorporate conditioning oils too as acetone so they aren't ideal to use on a CPU. Stick to rubbing booze for the all-time results.

Everything you need to build a PC - CPU installation tool

This tool isn't necessary but it can give you confidence if you're a first-time builder.

When you install a CPU, y'all have to make sure that it is lined upwardly correctly with the socket on the motherboard. In that location's a small triangle in the corner of the CPU which will help you lot line it up. You lot just need to gently drop the CPU into the socket. Don't slide it around or push also hard or you could damage your CPU.

If you're worried almost the process, you tin apply a CPU installation tool like this ane from ASUS. Information technology'south a small plastic bracket which holds the CPU in the right position and helps you drib it neatly into the socket.

nine. Spare Parts

Finally, i of the most useful things you can take on hand when edifice is a currently working PC for troubleshooting purposes.

If you lot connect all your components, your new PC should exist able to Post (power-on self test). This means that the components are communicating with each other and the auto is able to access the BIOS. The BIOS is the basic software which the estimator runs on and onto which yous install an operating organization. Learn more about BIOS in our article on discovering your BIOS and how to make the about of it.

However, sometimes you lot'll connect your components and the PC won't POST. When this happens, yous can mind out for beep codes which can tell you what the problem is. But if that doesn't work, it'due south time to first troubleshooting.

This is where your working PC comes in. You can swap out components ane at a time for components from your working PC, considering they are known to exist functional. If yous bandy out your new RAM for your sometime RAM and the new PC at present posts, for example, you are probable dealing with a faulty or incorrectly seated RAM stick.

Having known working parts on hand makes troubleshooting so much easier.

If y'all have these tools on hand, you lot've got everything you lot need to start building your own PC.

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About The Author

Georgina Torbet (86 Articles Published)

Georgina is a science and engineering writer who lives in Berlin and has a PhD in psychology. When she'southward not writing she's usually to be found tinkering with her PC or riding her bicycle, and you tin can come across more of her writing at georginatorbet.com.

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