Building your own computer

[Chips]

Where's the best place to plug it onto? And being a cheap "one use" band does that mean I have to build the computer in one session and not in stages?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Where's the best place to plug it onto? And being a cheap "one use" band does that mean I have to build the computer in one session and not in stages?

An unpainted surface on the case.

I never heard of a "one use" band.

I'm guessing it has an alligator clip. Use it the rest of your life unless it breaks.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Chips,
Take it nice and slow. Take pictures at all the various stages and close ups of the processor and other items. You will have fun and when you're done it will only be the beginning of you getting back inside the case to tidy things up. If you can go slow and route the wires in several different ways then settle on the one that is the cleanest then use that one. Routing wires behind the mobo and even some of the thin ones under the mobo. I envy you as there really is no more pure fun then the first build and getting to the point were you power it up for the first time and you question all your connections......it's the best and were here for you all the way through this process.

 

[Trucidation]

Sorry for the OT, just getting a quick reply in.

I'd love to live where you do, because in the rest of the world, buying online is FAR cheaper. The stores have much more overhead and don't buy in volume that someone like Newegg does.

Yeah, I understand you guys in the west pay a lot for labour. Here labour is a pittance - heck, bring a friend to buy another computer at the same time and you can bargain to get them both assembled at no charge instead of accepting the free gift (usually some crap usb toy). The pimply-faced college kid temp will assemble the thing far more deftly than I can, while I sit there watching and asking questions.

Admittedly, they pay an arm and a leg for software over here - which explains the piracy rate (although it's getting better, stores are mostly legit now compared to a decade ago).

 

[Zepher]

With respect to the anti-static wrist band, as a computer builder and assembler for over 20 years, a professionally employed systems admin for over 15 years, I have NEVER, and I repeat NEVER used an anti-static wrist strap. I've never seen a fellow admin use one. And I've never once seen a vendor who came onsite to install, repair or configure any of our enterprise equipment use one.

Yes, and as a computer builder, I'm sure you were working in a controlled environment. Not walking around barefoot on carpet....

I build all of my systems while sitting on the carpet in my room. Probably built 100 machines in the past 16 years. Never used a strap or anything.

Here I am testing a pair of 36gb seagate cheetahs 10,000rpm scsi drives, which get hot enough to cook on.
Almost burnt my hand when I touched one.

 

[writhziden]

With respect to the anti-static wrist band, as a computer builder and assembler for over 20 years, a professionally employed systems admin for over 15 years, I have NEVER, and I repeat NEVER used an anti-static wrist strap. I've never seen a fellow admin use one. And I've never once seen a vendor who came onsite to install, repair or configure any of our enterprise equipment use one.

Yes, and as a computer builder, I'm sure you were working in a controlled environment. Not walking around barefoot on carpet....

I build all of my systems while sitting on the carpet in my room. Probably built 100 machines in the past 16 years. Never used a strap or anything.

Here I am testing a pair of 36gb seagate cheetahs 10,000rpm scsi drives, which get hot enough to cook on.
Almost burnt my hand when I touched one.

One of George Carlin's old routines comes to mind... Have you ever spoken to an electrical engineer about the negligence of working on electronics this way?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Have you ever spoken to an electrical engineer about the negligence of working on electronics this way?

I'm no engineer, but I have heard that static discharges can cause damage even though you don't feel any shock of any type at the time.

And that the damage is cumulative over time.

I have no idea if this is true. I have a grounding strap, but I don't use it religiously.

 

[writhziden]

Thank you, ignatzatsonic. A voice of reason. Here is an interesting Blog about it that seems fitting based on the argument that has been taking place in this thread: ESD: Urban Myth or Shocking Reality?

 

[pparks1]

All I am saying is that i don't think you need to be paranoid about using the wrist strap or refraining from touching something until your wrist strap comes in. Many of us, have built successfully and support computers without using them. I make it a habit when walking at work to touch the case, touch a door frame or anything else before I dive into the case and start yanking out parts. And I've worked in quite a number of data centers over the years and have never seen any tech/vendor using one of these straps.

 

[James7679]

And all we are saying is, what proof do you have that your negligence hasn't caused any damage. Because there are literally millions of dollars poured into the study of electricity and protection of sensitive components. So you're saying you're smarter than all of the major tech companies around? I bet you think lightning is a fallacy as well...

 

[writhziden]

May I suggest we all (including myself) stop with the bantering and the derailing of this thread. I imagine the ESD arguments have not been helping Chips too much with the original intent of this thread. Agree to disagree?

 

[James7679]

<3 writh. I agree. Sorry Chips.

 

[pparks1]

Totally agree to disagree. I'm not personally upset or bothered by any comments. Everybody has lots of different experiences. I am just sharing mine. I don't believe my actions have caused any undo hardships as I have worked with desktops and servers in office buildings as well as data centers alike for the past 15 years and all has been well. That's all. If you want to use a wrist strap because it gives you extra assurances, by all means go for it. If you are in a bind and wondering if it's a recipe for disaster to not use one, just know that there are many who don't use on, never have, and aren't considering doing so going forward. The choice is your own to make.

I don't think i am smarter than anybody else and I'm not an electrical engineer. But I do find it assuring that in my years of dealing with Novell admins, Windows Admins, Linux Admins, VMware Admins, HP server techs, Dell technicians, EMC engineers, Liebert installers, APC resellers, NetApp engineers, and every techie friend I have...that we have all confidently worked on many pieces of equipment without using a wrist strap.

With respect to derailing the conversation, I commented because of questions Chips asked in post #61. It was related to the use of electrostatic devices.

 

[DeaconFrost]

I'll agree to disagree as well. Sometimes, though, people put too much emphasis on "what they've heard" rather than "how it really is" for things like this. The fact of the matter is, ESD is not quite the hazard it once was. Sure, if you try to kill a part by wearing feetie pajamas while rubbing your feet across the floor, you could potentially do some damage. In reality, there's little to worry about.

Chips, the bigger issue is to make sure you find a good, stable workspace with plenty of room to spread out. Make sure your lighting is good, and take your time putting the system together properly. Run your cables in ways that you can "hide" them, so the air will flow through your case. Since you said you bought a HAF912, let me know if you have any questions. I hide much of the excess cabling behind the motherboard tray and use zip ties to secure it in place back there.

That should occupy all of your concern, not ESD damage.

 

[pparks1]

I'll agree to disagree as well. Sometimes, though, people put too much emphasis on "what they've heard" rather than "how it really is" for things like this.

Very well said. I completely agree.

Chips, the bigger issue is to make sure you find a good, stable workspace with plenty of room to spread out. Make sure your lighting is good, and take your time putting the system together properly. Run your cables in ways that you can "hide" them, so the air will flow through your case. Since you said you bought a HAF912, let me know if you have any questions. I hide much of the excess cabling behind the motherboard tray and use zip ties to secure it in place back there.

During my builds, I think I spend the most time just figuring out how to get the cables from point A to point B and keep them tidy and hidden as best as possible. I just sit and look at it, and try different combinations, etc. Being able to hide all of this wiring behind the mobo is great...I always look for cases now that have room behind the mobo tray.

While zip ties work good, I actually prefer to use the 2 sided velcro instead as you can easily remove it whenever you need to add a cable or make a change. You buy this stuff in a roll and you cut it to length. You can cut it down the middle if you want narrower ties. And if you cut it too short, you can simply stick two pieces together and make it longer.
Unique Photo Velcro Cable Tie Roll, 3/4inch x 5 Yards 30ct-07115

That should occupy all of your concern, not ESD damage.[/QUOTE]

 

[Chips]

Finally got the last part today, the Noctua 120mm fan to go with the two Cooler Master 200mm fans. Now comes the scary part! Although, I think I'll wait till things have cooled down a bit 'cause the place is like an oven at the mo, and I'm guessing me sweating like a pig could prove hazardous to the computer.

Chips, the bigger issue is to make sure you find a good, stable workspace with plenty of room to spread out. Make sure your lighting is good, and take your time putting the system together properly. Run your cables in ways that you can "hide" them, so the air will flow through your case. Since you said you bought a HAF912, let me know if you have any questions. I hide much of the excess cabling behind the motherboard tray and use zip ties to secure it in place back there.

Yep, got a space sorted out. It also has plenty of light too. Don't suppose you could post some pics of how you hid your wiring?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Chips:

The hiding of wiring varies greatly from case to case. You can always come back and hide the cables after you get the thing built and running. That's what I'd concentrate on the first attempt.

First thing I would do is compare the holes in the motherboard to the stand-off mounting holes in the case. There are typically some holes in the case that you will not put a stand-off in. Those are for other types of motherboards. If your motherboard has 8 holes, you should put a stand-off in the 8 locations in the case that will match up with those motherboard holes so the board will drop down onto those stand-offs when you put it in the case. You don't want a standoff that doesn't have a corresponding motherboard hole.

Then locate the plugs on the motherboard that will need a connection to the power supply and locate the power supply cable that will go to those plugs.

Locate the motherboard pins to which your fans and front panel switches will attach.

I'd install the RAM, CPU, and heatsink onto the motherboard before mounting the motherboard in the case.

Most likely install the PSU before the motherboard as well.

 

[pparks1]

Hiding of wiring depends entirely upon the case, the components inside of the case and the amount of cable you have to work with/hide. You are going to have to take some time, look it over and figure it out.

 

[Britton30]

Yep, got a space sorted out. It also has plenty of light too. Don't suppose you could post some pics of how you hid your wiring?

Have a look through this thread. http://www.sevenforums.com/overclocking-case-mods/194592-show-us-your-rig-3-a.html Many of us have posted pics of our builds.

Hiding of wiring depends entirely upon the case, the components inside of the case and the amount of cable you have to work with/hide. You are going to have to take some time, look it over and figure it out.

And the you see something that can be "better", so it's off to the races again.

 

[essenbe]

I think it takes me longer to figure out the wiring than it does to do the actual build. Most of the really good wiring jobs are usually when you re wire it several times.With wiring, the best distance between two points is not usually a straight line. But, getting it put together and running is most important. The wiring can be re done later, if necessary.