There are so many choices out there when it comes to gaming hardware and it can be difficult to choose the perfect hardware that not only matches your needs but your personal sense of flare. If you are already past the stage of finding your godly gaming hardware, the next step is to put all those pieces together. Finally getting that sensation of clicking the power button and seeing your piece of art rise into life.

With this article we intend to cover some of the basic steps in building your own gaming machine. Although it can seem like an intense surgery at first glance, it is a little easier when you have the right sort of guidance.

Here are some useful tips and tricks to keep in mind once you have all the necessary parts for your build. It is like a big leggo set, just bigger and slightly more delicate!

Tip 1: Before you start handling any of the hardware, touch something metallic to ground yourself. This will prevent any static build up on your fragile motherboard.

Tip 2: Putting the I/O panel onto your case before installing the motherboard will save you a heap load of frustration.

Tip 3: Before applying the heatsink, apply your thermal paste. You don’t need much, about the size of a grain of rice in the center of the CPU.

Tip 4: Plan the airflow throughout the case before installing the fans. There is usually an exhaust fan at the back side of the PC case and intake in the front. Make sure that your CPU cooler should blow towards the exhaust fan at the back.

Tip 5: Place your case on its side, build your hardware onto the motherboard before installing the motherboard into the case. This save you the headache of having to try and squeeze in all the parts.

Tip 6: Cable management can be a nightmare if you leave it till the end of the build. The best thing to do is organize the cables as you’re building. This will save you time and save you the hassle of having to squeeze your hand into awkward angles to properly route the cable.

Here are a few common mistakes that people might experience while building their gaming PC:

1. If you are installing two sticks of RAM into your motherboard, be sure to read the motherboard manual to see which slots they should be inserted. They don’t always go side by side.
2. Touching the bottom of the CPU or processor socket
3. Make sure you clean out the case before installing any hardware. Dust could lead to some of your electronics failing.
4. Forgetting to apply thermal paste if you are not using the stock fan, or if the aftermarket cooler does not have thermal paste pre-applied.
5. There is normally a plastic sleeve that protects the heatsink, failing to remove this can cause permanent damage to your CPU. Make sure you remove the thin plastic sleeve before applying it to the CPU
6. Ensure that all your fans for the case are plugged in before powering on the machine
7. Make sure you flip the switch on your power supply.

These are just a few tips and common mistakes that you could experience when building your gaming PC for the first time. Building your gaming PC is like a work of art, so don’t feel rushed in getting everything finished so you can power up your beast. Take your time and make sure that every fine detail is in place.