The Worst Mistakes You'll Make When Building a PC

TLDRLearn from these common mistakes to avoid mishandling components, unstable memory, incorrect fan headers, and other issues when building a PC.

Key insights

💡Mishandling the CPU and motherboard socket is a common mistake, leading to dead hardware.

🔥Unstable memory can cause blue screens of death and other system errors, especially on AMD Ryzen systems.

💻Using the wrong fan headers on the motherboard can result in unexpected fan speeds.

🔌Plugging the monitor's display cable into the motherboard instead of the GPU can lead to poor gaming performance.

🧪Overthinking thermal paste application is unnecessary; apply a little more than you think you need.

Q&A

What is the most common mistake when building a PC?

The most common mistake is mishandling the CPU and motherboard socket, which can result in dead hardware.

How can I prevent unstable memory issues?

Ensure that your motherboard's BIOS is up to date and try lowering the memory clock speed if you encounter blue screens of death.

What happens if I plug the monitor into the motherboard instead of the GPU?

If you plug the monitor into the motherboard, you may experience poor gaming performance due to using the CPU's integrated graphics instead of the dedicated GPU.

Is it necessary to apply thermal paste?

Yes, thermal paste is necessary to ensure proper heat transfer between the CPU and the CPU cooler. Apply a little more than you think you need to ensure sufficient coverage.

Can I use any fan header on the motherboard?

It is important to use the correct fan headers on the motherboard as they have different configurations for fan speed control. Consult your motherboard's manual for the appropriate headers to use.

Timestamped Summary

00:00One common mistake is mishandling the CPU and motherboard socket, leading to dead hardware.

01:40Unstable memory can cause blue screens of death and system errors, especially on AMD Ryzen systems.

03:57Plugging the monitor's display cable into the motherboard instead of the GPU can result in poor gaming performance.

04:26Overthinking thermal paste application is unnecessary. Apply a little more than you think you need.

05:56Using the wrong fan headers on the motherboard can lead to unexpected fan speeds.