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Questions tagged [computer-building]

For questions regarding the assembly of computers from individual components and problems you might face.

Computer building is the process of assembling particular compatible computer components together to create a working machine known as a computer. It also encapsulates not only the hardware, but the operating system and drivers that need to be used for software to communicate with the hardware.

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Does vertical position affect the lifespan or integrity of a hard drive?

I've noticed on many small PC cases that the hard drives are installed vertically. In midi cases, towers and others of a larger housing, they are in the horizontal position. What impact on a hard drive does a vertical position have? Does it affect…
yoosiba
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Is it safe to power on a motherboard outside of its case?

I have a new motherboard which needs a BIOS update to support a new CPU. Thankfully I have an old (compatible) CPU handy. My plan is to install the old CPU, update the BIOS, then install the new CPU. I'd prefer not to have to mount the motherboard…
misha256
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Building a fast Visual Studio machine

I want to build a PC to run Visual Studio very quickly. I have about 30 C# projects that include WCF services, IIS web services. So for me, quickly means fast edit, compile, run and debug cycles. How should I balance my investment in CPU power,…
Phillip Ngan
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Hooking up my power switch/reset switch/LEDs

I'm working on building a computer (first time for me). There are several plugs that I need to connect to the motherboard (Power LED, reset switch, etc). Of the two wires, they are either: Color and white (reset switch, power LED, HDD LED) red…
David Oneill
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Very high-pitched noise when computer does something intense?

"Intense" is the best word I can use to describe it because I'm not sure what it is, whether it's RAM, GPU or CPU. If I pan the camera in unity: A high pitched noise issues from the computer. The picosecond I start panning the sound starts. Stops…
Starkers
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What is a normal/safe temperature for an i7 2600K CPU?

I just completed my first build, and while I was finagling around in the BIOS I noticed, with some concern, that my CPU was sitting around 60 °C. Even when I set the maximum temperature to 55 °C, it didn't seem capable of going below 58 °C. Judging…
Arthur Skirvin
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Why are so few SSD 3.5 inches?

I was looking around for a cheaper SSD on Newegg and the time I'm writing this they have almost 300 2.5-inch SSD but only 12 3.5-inch ones, 9 of which are sold out. Why are there so few 3.5-inch SSD? Is it just that the demand for these drives is…
NGittlen
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Is liquid cooling necessary for high CPU performance over extended periods?

I'm planning on building a system for high CPU and memory performance. Graphics performance is not a major concern, as I do not plan to use it for gaming. I noticed that liquid cooling seems to have become common since my last build, and I am…
Qudit
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Why is a pin missing on 2x12 PSU cables?

I just noticed that finally entry model PSUs are now giving 2x12 power leads rather than needing to use a 2x10 in addition to a snap on 2x2. For the first time I actually looked at one and I thought I had a broken one, or one with a weird/wrong…
William Hilsum
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How to build a quiet computer from scratch?

I like to build my own computers, but because I go for high spec parts they always end up being quite noisy. I am always jealous of computers I use at work as they always seem very very quiet. However, I look on the suppliers website and they…
Jon
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RAID 0 performance gains?

I'm building a new computer over the summer. I'm fairly competent in computer hardware, and am thus building the computer from scratch. I have everything planned out, but I was wondering about RAID. I asked which RAID I should use earlier, but now…
NickAldwin
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How safe is building a computer yourself?

I'm interested in getting a new desktop computer soon, and I'm wondering whether I should build it or buy it. I'm very good with software, but I don't have much experience with hardware (recently, I successfully tore apart my Toshiba laptop to…
Zifre
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How do we assemble a computer properly?

As a follow-up question for advice when buying a computer, I would like to get another thing clear: How do we assemble a computer properly? In what order do I need to put the hardware I bought into my computer? Do I need to watch out for static…
Tamara Wijsman
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How much power output can an 8-pin to 2x 6+2-pin connector output?

A common cable included in modern modular PSU's is the 8-pin to 2x 6+2 pin. However, based on reading (such as PCI-e Power - Does 6 + 2 Equal 8?) an 8-pin is effectively the same as a 6+2 pin. If that's the case, then how can one 8-pin connector…
WannabeCoder
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What exactly is the cause of RAM incompatibility?

I'm looking at rather short QVL lists from manufacturers, and I'm wondering what is the underlying cause of RAM incompatibility aside from the obvious: Obvious Reasons for Incompatibility RAM Generation (DDR, DDR2, DDR3, DDR4) Form Factor / pin…
Ehryk
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