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03-28-2011, 06:50 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: :noitacoL | | | Assembling a computer
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If you buy a "bare bones" kit from Tiger Direct, how hard is it to assemble? Do you have to have any special skills/tools?
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03-28-2011, 06:56 AM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Eh? | | Depending on the kit, you might need only a single screwdriver. CoolerMaster hardware is notorious for being pleasant to assemble.
Nowadays, it's a task you can take without much risk. I suggest using an antistatic strap if you're assembling the motherboard, but that's about it for "specialist" tools. As long as you know how to read instructions, you're qualified 
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03-28-2011, 07:12 AM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Harpers Ferry WV | | | I have been building machines for many years. The Tiger Direct kits are *almost dummy proof.
I just bought a kit quad core machine from them and I was VERY impressed at the ease of assembly. Don't expect detailed instructions or anything but it was literally less than 30 phillips head screws for the entire install and the processor fan already had the silver compound pre adhered so all I had to do was drop the processor and heatsink.
The mother board only lines up one way in the case as well. Very easy process overall.
The most difficult part I would guess would be figuring out the LED's, Power switch, HD light leads or adding appropriate fans. Those kits hardly ever come with a proper case fan to keep air moving in and out.
Special tools, not really. Phillips screw driver and an anti static strap (I don't use one but I have been doing this for years and work on a rubber mat). Can you mess it up easily if you don't be careful? Yes. Tons of tiny static sensitive parts.
Feel free to PM with photo's if you get it and have questions.
EDIT: Another huge mistake is people buy a MEGA video card for a kit machine. If you do this be sure to buy a proper power supply of at least 400-500 watts. Having insufficient power can lead to a plethora of issues without really giving you a real heads up to what the real issue is.
Last edited by fenderhutz : 03-28-2011 at 07:17 AM.
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03-28-2011, 07:39 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Lincoln, NE | | | Not sure what is included in these barebone kits but some things to note from years of experience:
*Make sure your motherboard socket matches your CPU socket type.
*Get the correct RAM spec'd for your motherboard.
*Make sure you have the right socket for your video card (if you buy one).
*Can never have a powerful enough PS (I don't like to go below 500w).
*The biggest PITA is to connect your power button, LEDs, and case mounted USB ports. Usually have to connect one pin at the time and if you have big hands it can be a challenge if you have a cramped case.
*Anti static gloves are a good thing to have.
*Keep you case cool. Don't just throw a bunch of fans in there and call it good. Read up on the case manual and there is usually a rhyme and a reason on which way your fans should point to circulate air correctly.
*If you have to install your CPU, buy some thermal paste ( if for any reason you have to take it out and re place it, chances are that the little dab that comes with your processor will be gone). |
03-28-2011, 09:19 AM
|  | Online | | Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Sunapee, New Hampshire | | You need small fingers and patience. I just built my first computer from scratch about a month ago. I had neither of what I suggested, so it took longer than it should have. 
Other than that, it is really simple. For most of the parts, there is only one place it goes, so you can't really screw it up.
-Mike |
03-28-2011, 09:25 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada | | | I paid a local kid $100 to assemble my PC. On a $2k machine, and extra hundred was worth knowing someone would be doing it right!
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03-28-2011, 09:54 AM
| | | | Have you ever operated a nintendo, atari or sega genesis? same thing.
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03-28-2011, 11:10 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Fort Collins, Colorado | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Absentia Have you ever operated a nintendo, atari or sega genesis? same thing. | It's just like Case Modding.
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03-28-2011, 12:04 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Eh? | | | Can you pilot a plane?
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Originally Posted by tom once dead Also to prove my Australianism, I've been stung by an irukandji jellyfish before, while snorkelling at an island looking at stingrays. | |
03-28-2011, 01:46 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Dallas, TX. | | | Shouldn't have to worry about the correct ram if your buying a bare bones that comes with it. The last 2 I've bought had all the correct matching components.
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03-29-2011, 11:45 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Columbus, OH | | | Just be careful when putting the motherboard standoff mounts in (brass hex screws with holes in top) into the case. If you keep tightening them, they'll strip the hole in the case. They should be screwed in just firmly enough that you'd have a hard time undoing them with your fingers. For the screws that hold the motherboard down, use a #1 size phillips head screwdriver (they're slightly smaller than the regular case screws which use a #2 phillips), same usually goes for the screws for the drives. The rule of thumb is firm, but not too tight, especially with the kit computers due to the cheap metal used for the cases.
Cabling- the use of zip ties is highly recommended to bundle the cables up. This helps with case clutter, and will help with airflow. However the airflow issue isn't as much of a problem nowadays with rounded cabling and sata cables. But not having a rat's nest inside the machine is still better than just leaving the wires hang freely.
Other than that, not much to assembly. If you have the extra space in the case, leave extra space between the hdd's and cards to give more space for heat to escape. This will reduce operating temperatures by a small degree.
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03-29-2011, 11:55 AM
|  | www.HeavyMetalOpera.com
Unofficialy endorsing EBMM, Avatar Speakers | | Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Seattle (ish), WA | | | A lot of cases come with the standoffs already there for the most part. You usually only are missing two or three, depending on the standard of the motherboard.
Zip ties are good for cabling. Couple that with a case that has great cable management (Lian-Li etc) just makes for good airflow and nice looks, and easy to work on. |
03-29-2011, 12:21 PM
| | Online | | Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Sunapee, New Hampshire | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Ray Salamon Zip ties are good for cabling. | No way. Just mash everything down and slide the door on real fast.
-Mike |
03-29-2011, 12:25 PM
|  | Registered User | | | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Ray Salamon | Well, I didn't know about these two sites until now, but if I did I would've included [H]ard|Forum - Powered by vBulletin due it being pertinent to the OP's computer-building needs.
However, I couldn't find any links in Ars Technica which would help the OP to assemble a PC.
But there is one there which I can use in a different thread. Thank you.  |
03-29-2011, 12:28 PM
| | www.HeavyMetalOpera.com
Unofficialy endorsing EBMM, Avatar Speakers | | Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Seattle (ish), WA | | Quote:
Originally Posted by MIJ-VI Well, I didn't know about these two sites until now, but if I did I would've included [H]ard|Forum - Powered by vBulletin due it being pertinent to the OP's computer-building needs.
However, I couldn't find any links in Ars Technica which would help the OP to assemble a PC.
But there is one there which I can use in a different thread. Thank you. | Hit the forum up: Ars Technica OpenForum | | Thread Tools | Search this Thread | | | | 
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