Building a gaming PC is something that happens to be a lot easier than some people might think in the first place. With so many guides available on the internet, you really don’t need more than some basic knowledge of putting things together, and in addition to that, you also need some basic knowledge and you are good to go.
However, there have queries on the internet discussing how to properly build a gaming PC. As it turns out, a lot of gamers end up making mistakes when it comes to building a gaming PC, and while these mistakes certainly are very common, they can ruin your entire experience of building a gaming PC.
As I have said before, building a gaming PC has become a lot easier than it used to be. To an extent, all you need to do is just plug in a couple of gables, and you are good to go. There is no other issue that can bother you in terms of making a gaming PC. Still, the mistakes are there, and in this article, we will be shedding light on some of the most common mistakes that a person ends up making when building a gaming PC.
Mixing the Power Cables Up
One of the biggest rookie mistakes that I have seen most PC builders make is mixing up the power cables. If you have ever wondered why manufacturers make sure that everything is listed on the cable, it is mainly because there have been incidents in which people have plugged the 8 pin EPS cable into the GPU rather than plugging it onto the motherboard or vice-versa.
I know it sounds something that is not realistic, but I can assure you that I have seen this happen with so many people that it is almost scary to even think of.
The good thing is that these pins are lined differently, so you will not be able to just shove them in. Sadly, there have been situations where people managed to force these cables into the sockets where they don’t below.
If you want your hardware to survive the catastrophe, then don’t be that person.
Not Screwing Your Graphics Card Into the Slot
Modern day graphics are getting heavier and heavier due to the beefier coolers they use. This means that it is really, really important to ensure that your graphics card is properly screwed into the case after being installed. Sadly, not many people understand this and they believe that it is fine to leave the GPU unscrewed.
I will be honest here, it is not. As a matter fact, leaving your GPU unscrewed is perhaps one of the most dangerous things that you can put your GPU through, and it is best if you just screw it.
Because if you decide against screwing the GPU in, then there is a chance that your PCI-E slot gets damaged due to the weight, and in addition to that, not screwing your graphics card can also introduce a lot of sag, especially if you have a weighty graphics card.
Not Connecting the Front Panel Cables The Proper Way
I will be honest, the front panel cables or headers are annoying. They are so damn thin, and every time you have to plug them in, the configuration has to be changed in order for you to be able to connect them properly.
While Asus, and Gigabyte give you a small adapter that you can plug all the cables into, and then plug that adapter into the motherboard, but with cheaper boards, that is not the case. If you +are dealing with those cables without an adapter, then I would advise you to consult the motherboard manual, and then plug the cables accordingly.
This will make your overall experience much better, as well as much smoother. So, so do consider these.
Not Plugging the Power Cables the Right Way
Another really, really common mistake that a lot of gamers make whenever they are building their computers is not plugging the power cables in the right way.
Now I know that plugging in those cables (especially the 24-pin) one can be a difficult task, but you need to make sure that you use the right amount of force. Just enough to have the cable go in, and make a clicking noise.
You want to know what happens if the cable is not fully seated, and you turn on the PC? Well, you would be granted with some smell, along with some smoke as well.
Yes, not fully plugging in your cables can be more disastrous for your PC than anything else, and let’s be honest, you wouldn’t want to blow up your PC now, would you?
Trying to Squish the Cables
Building a PC gaming is all about the cable management part, and I have to be honest here, I absolutely loath the cable management. I remember a few days ago when I built myself a new PC in the lovely Corsair Obsidian 500D, one of the biggest issue I ran into was about the cable management.
The case did have enough space for the cables, but me being the careless person I am, just wanted to make sure that everything is squished in. This was perhaps the biggest mistake I could have made with the cable management.
If you are starting your PC building journey, and you want to ensure that your experience goes as best as it could be, then you must avoid squishing the cables at all cost. Not only will it look off, but one of the biggest disadvantages to that is that it will potentially damage your cables, or the connectors on your components.
This is a big red flag for anyone who is spending a considerable amount of money on their hardware.
You can use cable ties, or zip ties to ensure that you are doing the proper job when managing your cables. If you can’t find a solution on your own, you can simply look for one on the internet, and that should get the job done for you. Just be gentle with the cables, because you really don’t want to snap them.
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Conclusion
There is no denying that building a gaming PC is a lot more fun than you might think in the first place. Especially if you are building one for the first time. However, you must know that there are mistakes that can be made, the mistakes that you must avoid at all costs to have the best possible experience with the PC.
Trust me when I say this, whether you are building a PC for the first time, or for the tenth time, the mistakes can certainly be made. So, it is best if you avoid them, and I really hope that this article helps you avoid all the possible mistakes there when it comes to building a PC. If you think there are more mistakes that are on the common side and should be avoided, then feel free to let us know.