Aaron and friends build PCs (help) - Build underway!

Last edited by aayl1 on Sun Dec 18, 2022 5:59 pm, edited 4 times in total.

Hi, I want to build a PC to play games and stream games from. I realise I could go in the PCMR thread but it's scary in there and ORKN says it's better for the forum to make new threads, and I think I'll use this as a bit of a diary of my journey.

I'm technically savvy enough when it comes to software and troubleshooting It issues but have completely zero knowledge on the actual hardware side of things.

It feels extremely intimidating trying to figure out what I want need. Common wisdom seems to be that you absolutely HAVE to build your own otherwise you'll get ripped off/bad components, but the thought of boning up on strawberry floating every little bit that goes into a PC to get the best one is so so draining. Basically I'm someone that agonise over every purchasing decision, spending hours trying to find the best water bottle etc. and I'm worried that this process is going to be so exhausting, when coupled with the fact that I also have to figure out how gooseberry fool actually works?

So where the strawberry float do I start? I'm going to watch a long Linus Tech Tips YouTube video for noobs and maybe try to find an article for beginners.

I'm starting with a budget of $1500 (I'm in the US) but could theoretically push it up slightly (who needs savings when the world is just going to collapse in a few years anyway)I need basically everything, including a decent monitor.

I would like to be able to play games at 60 fps, 1440p for a good few years. Ray tracing seems fun and I'm only interested in it as it seems like if you get a PC that can do it it's probably future-proofed slightly eh? I'd also like to be able to stream my gameplay to twitch, and also I'd like it to be able to use a capture card to stream console games.

Do you have any tips for me? Any resources I can start with?

Why do people prefer NVidia cards to AMD? Are the new AMD cards worth looking at? I heard rumblings about their new offerings seeming good?

Thank you. I'll post back in here as I learn stuff and figure out my journey. God bless x x

PostRe: Aaron builds a PC (help) by **site23** » Wed Nov 16, 2022 5:18 pm

For maximum content you should stream yourself building it.

PostRe: Aaron builds a PC (help) by **Ironhide** » Wed Nov 16, 2022 5:21 pm

I found PCpartpicker very useful for pointing out potential compatibility issues and finding the best component prices.

https://pcpartpicker.com/

They have loads of example builds too if you're looking for inspiration/vague idea what spec you need.

PostRe: Aaron builds a PC (help) by **Memento Mori** » Wed Nov 16, 2022 5:25 pm

If you don't want to do the physical building yourself, find a company that will custom build it from a spec you choose.

aayl1 wrote:
Why do people prefer NVidia cards to AMD? Are the new AMD cards worth looking at? I heard rumblings about their new offerings seeming good?

AMD driver updates are a mess but Nvidia is overpriced. Nvidia is probably the safer option.

PostRe: Aaron builds a PC (help) by **Jenuall** » Wed Nov 16, 2022 5:31 pm

Things might have moved on but https://www.logicalincrements.com/ was always considered a solid starting point. It's basically a site that provides a range of part options you can go for to create the best PC at various budgets. For example here are there selections for around your $1500 budget:

Alongside PCPartPicker this takes a lot of the hassle out of identifying what is worth putting together!

The actual nuts and bolts of sticking everything together is very straightforward these days and there are many sites/videos that will take you through it step by step with clear instructions if needed, almost everything is just plug and play these days with only one slot that any one part can fit in so it's hard to get into too much trouble, but pre-builds or sites that will "build to order" are an option if you really can't face getting your hands dirty!

PostRe: Aaron builds a PC (help) by **OrangeRKN** » Wed Nov 16, 2022 5:31 pm

aayl1 wrote:ORKN says it's better for the forum to make new threads

Congrats, you just made mod

YouTube · PostRe: Aaron builds a PC (help) by **Jezo** » Wed Nov 16, 2022 5:49 pm

OrangeRKN wrote:
aayl1 wrote:ORKN says it's better for the forum to make new threads

Congrats, you just made mod

What the strawberry float

PostRe: Aaron builds a PC (help) by **Dowbocop** » Wed Nov 16, 2022 6:32 pm

Follow my foolproof method:

1) Install CPU
2) Apply thermal paste
3) Mount CPU cooler at wrong orientation so case won't close
4) Swear
5) Remove cooler
6) Thoroughly clean off thermal paste
7) Mount cooler the wrong way round again
8) Cry

Hope this helps!

PostRe: Aaron builds a PC (help) by **Bertie** » Wed Nov 16, 2022 7:24 pm

There are loads of videos on YouTube about how to build. Don’t be scared. It’s difficult to damage stuff these days. Follow the instructions and don’t force anything. It should all slot in.

Pc part picker is a great suggestion. It helps with compatibility and lowest prices.

The hardest parts
- Picking amd or Intel
- selecting a GPU without overpaying
- good cable management
- those bastard front panel connectors that go bottom right hand corner of the motherboard for power, reset and led.

Always here to help. Just ask

PostRe: Aaron builds a PC (help) by **Ironhide** » Wed Nov 16, 2022 7:33 pm

Dowbocop wrote:Follow my foolproof method:

1) Install CPU
2) Apply thermal paste
3) Mount CPU cooler at wrong orientation so case won't close
4) Swear
5) Remove cooler
6) Thoroughly clean off thermal paste
7) Mount cooler the wrong way round again
8) Cry

Hope this helps!

You missed the part where you stick every (non OS) drive from your old PC in before the initial power up and a fault on the motherboard totally and unrepairably fries them all and you have to wait several days for the replacement mobo to arrive, while unable to use the old PC which has inexplicably developed a major problem in the interim period, or the laptop because the power cable was missing .

This actually happened, of the four 'functional' PCs/laptops I had access to, only my Surface Go decided to actually work :lol:

PostRe: Aaron builds a PC (help) by **aayl1** » Thu Nov 17, 2022 7:32 pm

Thanks everyone for your initial tips.

For clarity, I'm not too worried about building it myself, I'm more stressed about the research etc prior to that point (although I have since learned you can break everything with static electricity...).

Thanks for the tip to stick with NVidia for safety, it's a shame the 3000 series cards don't seem to be coming down in price with the release of the 4000s.

PostRe: Aaron builds a PC (help) by **Abacus** » Thu Nov 17, 2022 9:14 pm

Interesting topic. I've often thought of doing the same thing, but then got completely put off by the sheer amount of choices as well. Where do you start?

I also kind of thought I should maybe start off with a raspberry pi, just so that I understood the principles of what all the various bits do, and to have some practice putting them together.

But I'm a lazy man and would no doubt end up with some version of Homer Simpson's robot.

So my current thought is to go to one of these tech stores that refurbish laptops and computers etc. And then buying one of those second hand, before gradually upgrading all the bits inside one by one.

Presumably, that would work. Or, at least, I'd know the exact point I broke it all. It might be interesting to compare how well each approach works anyway.

PostRe: Aaron builds a PC (help) by **Skarjo** » Fri Nov 18, 2022 1:00 am

When I built one, the shop did basically a bundle of all the bits and then you could swap bits in and out and they'd tell you whether it was compatible or not.

At least that way I knew I had all the bits required and they'd all talk to each other. That was a load off.

PostRe: Aaron builds a PC (help) by **Cuttooth** » Fri Nov 18, 2022 7:06 am

Abacus wrote:Interesting topic. I've often thought of doing the same thing, but then got completely put off by the sheer amount of choices as well. Where do you start?

I also kind of thought I should maybe start off with a raspberry pi, just so that I understood the principles of what all the various bits do, and to have some practice putting them together.

But I'm a lazy man and would no doubt end up with some version of Homer Simpson's robot.

So my current thought is to go to one of these tech stores that refurbish laptops and computers etc. And then buying one of those second hand, before gradually upgrading all the bits inside one by one.

Presumably, that would work. Or, at least, I'd know the exact point I broke it all. It might be interesting to compare how well each approach works anyway.

You don't build up a Raspberry Pi, it's just a small single board computer. All its components are already installed, you just have to throw it in a little case and plug in an SD card. It's not like it has little bitty RAM sticks, CPU coolers, or graphics cards.

Which is a shame as that now sounds adorable.

As for where to start, Jenuall's got it right with the links to Logical Increments and PC Part Picker. Building a PC will never not be annoying but it is as relatively straightforward as it's ever been.

Build a Hackintosh. It's a piece of piss and you can dual boot between Windaz and Mac OS.

Decent builds and guides here - https://www.tonymacx86.com/

PostRe: Aaron builds a PC (help) by **Bertie** » Sat Nov 19, 2022 12:06 pm

Part picker is a great place to start and will help with compatibility. Hardest decisions are cpu (intel lga1700 or amd and AM5). Intel cheaper now, but AM5 will be around a long time and have lots of chips to come.

GPU. Tough call.

PostRe: Aaron builds a PC (help) by **aayl1** » Sat Nov 19, 2022 6:30 pm

OKay, why are there different brands of NVidia cards? Do I need to worry about that?

E.g. Logical Increments suggested this card: https://www.amazon.com/ZOTAC-Graphics-I ... in-20&th=1

But that seems to be "Zotac Gaming" branded?

I cant find this part on PC Parts picker. They have a 3080 card but then they say they can't find a price for it etc etc.

Even with these super useful tools this is still so stressful and confusing.

PostRe: Aaron builds a PC (help) by **aayl1** » Sat Nov 19, 2022 6:31 pm

Also what's the actual difference between intel or AMD CPUs? Will it make any difference to me at all?

PostRe: Aaron builds a PC (help) by **Jenuall** » Sat Nov 19, 2022 6:37 pm

aayl1 wrote:Also what's the actual difference between intel or AMD CPUs? Will it make any difference to me at all?

Not especially, they're both identical in terms of supporting software - it's not like getting one locks you out of playing certain games or anything like that. Like most things it's about price and performance - AMD tends to get you more bang for your buck but not necessarily reaching the same heights as the real high end Intel stuff, and some software/games will favour one type over the other but generally just get what is the recommended chip for your price range

PostRe: Aaron builds a PC (help) by **Bertie** » Sat Nov 19, 2022 7:01 pm

Yeah. You should have a look on line at YouTube. Intel vs amd cpus are not much different these days. In theory the maximum boost clock gives you an idea of which is best. Bottom line, for gaming only you need 6 cores (12 threads) but 8 cores is a nice sweet spot. The really high end stuff has more cores and higher boost clocks.

GPUs. Nvidia and amd make the silicon chip for all cards. They then make their own cards (founders editions) and supply chips to ‘board partners’ called AIB. E.g. zotac, gigabyte, asus etc. there is very little variance between cards that have the same chip. Like 3% max. So you will get rtx 3080. But there will loads of variants from all the different manufactures. Even then, they might have multiples, for a budget, better/best set. It’s always better to spend your money on a better chip, rather than spending loads on a lower chip in a nice card that looks nice from another manufacturer, E.g. rog strix.

This applies to all the cards.

There are some differences between amd and Nvidia. They each have additional features that help with frame rates (DLSS is Nvidia only) and Nvidia are best at ray tracing. Amd have been better in terms of pure ‘rasterisation’, I.E. pure performance on the 6000 cards, but people went for Nvidia due to DLSS and ray tracing support which amd was/is bad at.

Aaron and friends build PCs (help) - Build underway!

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