7 Things I Learned Once I Built My First PC

Let my minor traumas be your teachable moments.

- Ben Patterson

There I was, a first-time PC builder sitting in my office with all the components I’d ordered: a CPU here, a PSU there, plus my trusty antistatic wristband and a screwdriver. I had everything I needed to build my first PC. But I was afraid to open that first box.

Why was I paralyzed? Lots of reasons. With no single manual to cover all my PC parts, where was I supposed to begin? What if I couldn’t cram all those cables into my PC case? Had I already blown it by not getting an optical drive? Worst of all, what if I put everything together and my PC refuses to turn on? PCWorld’s comprehensive build guide (go.pcworld.com/diypc) covers all the steps, but in the heat of the moment, details specific to my situation and other random concerns kept popping up.

In retrospect, I wish I’d worried a little less about my first build and enjoyed it a bit more. After all (and as I ruefully discovered later) there’s only one first time when it comes to putting together your own computer.

Let my minor traumas be your teachable moments. Read on for seven things I wished I’d known before building my first PC, starting with…

1. YOU CAN TRANSFER YOUR CHOOSEMYPC BUILD TO PCPARTPICKER WITH ONE CLICK

This first tip is more about the planning stage rather than the build itself, but it’s still something I wish I’d known before wasting a precious hour or two.

For those of you who haven’t heard of it, ChooseMyPC.net is a great first stop for building your PC. Just pick a price point by adjusting a slider, make a few quick choices (such as whether you’re planning on “overclocking” your PC and whether you need a copy of Windows), and ChooseMyPC will generate a parts list for you.