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I remember my first PC build.
“All I have to do is push this button to see my latest creation spring to life!”
Some cases have alotof holes for ventilation - just don’t forget to clean those dust filters once in a while.
Or so I thought.
Down went the power button, and my confidence along with it.
It definitely wasn’t getting 120+ FPS in Rocket League in this state.
Some cases have alotof holes for ventilation - just don’t forget to clean those dust filters once in a while.
Hours of frustrated troubleshooting and research later, I realized I had made a few fatal PC-building mistakes.
Is your motherboard compatible with the case you like?
Can it accommodate your GPU?
High-end motherboards typically offer a wealth of extra features that you won’t find on more affordable mobos.
How about your RAM?
These questions are vitally important to sort out before you go making any purchasing decisions.
The good news: you don’t need an all-encompassing encyclopedia of PC parts in your brain.
Having a M.2 NVMe SSD as your boot drive makes a world of difference against a tradition HDD or SATA SSD.
Buying a case with poor ventilation
What makes a “good” PC case good?
Is it fanciful, customizable RGB lighting you could sync with your peripherals?
PC components generate a lot of heat - a lot.
This is exactly why we’ve taken cooling into account when creating our roundup of thebest PC cases.
But you should put a little time into researching your fans before you land your PC in hot water.
Will you use 120mm or 140mm?
How many intake fans will you set up, and where should you place your exhaust fans?
Does your case have enough space to house the cooling you plan to use?
There’s no one “right” answer to these questions.
It all comes down to your build, your preferences, and your budget.
Do you want to have Bluetooth connectivity for wireless mice, keyboards, controllers, or headsets?
ensure your motherboard is Bluetooth-compatible first, otherwise you’ll have to buy a PCIe Bluetooth adapter alongside it.
It’s unlikely you need the most powerful, 1,500W PSU on the market.
Most, if not all, of your parts will have a power rating number attached to them.
What’s up with those?
Lastly, I would opt for a modular power supply if possible.
Using an HDD as your boot drive
HDDs are far from useless.
But they pale in comparison to SSDs when it comes to speed.
Overcoming them is a rite of passage and makes that first successful power button click all the sweeter.
Read the manuals you thought you could skip the first time around.
Ask a friend who has been in your shoes.
Consult the massive online library of available IT professionals, DIY enthusiasts, and tech journalists at your fingertips.
But you’ll never know the hobby you’re missing out on.
Then again, neither will your wallet!
