Processing power is determined by the type of processor used in your PC, as well as the clock speed and core/thread performance. There is not one thing that is wholly determinant of processing power—it’s the product of several factors.
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The term Benchmark refers to having a standard or point of reference against which other things may be compared or assessed. Due to the large availability of CPUs and their performance characteristics, the world’s largest CPU benchmarking and comparison sites is www.cpubenchmark.net. This site is operated by PassMark software and gets its performance information from thousands of PerformanceTest Benchmark results, and CPU performance scores are updated daily.
You can use the CPU Benchmark values as a guide to selecting the right CPU for your desired application – from low end to blazing fast.
Processors with CPU benchmark scores under are excellent for uses where the PC is expected to run simple projects, or a few software applications at a time. Typically, Industrial PCs with CPUs in this Benchmark score range will be the ideal choice for the budget conscious. Most systems with these CPU benchmark scores are ideal for placement and usage in cabinets or higher ambient temperature areas because the processors are more thermally efficient than their higher performing counterparts.
CPU benchmark scores from to deliver higher performance levels yet cost less than the high-end powerhouse-CPU equipped systems. Systems with CPUs in this Benchmark range are ideal for operating multiple projects and applications simultaneously, remote network monitoring and access, and more intense graphical requirements. Industrial PCs with CPUs in this range are a good mix of performance and value.
Systems with CPU benchmarks higher than are typically the higher end, performance-oriented models. These units can handle 3D graphical processing, video feeds, real-time networking, SCADA system monitoring, and more. Units featuring these performance processors will typically cost more, because of their ability to outperform systems with lower Benchmark scores.
The two main players when most people think of PC Processors are Intel and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), and for good reason. Both companies have been in the semiconductor game for decades and have many different CPUs for every conceivable use case.
Intel processors are known for:
AMD processors are known for:
The measurement of the number of cycles a CPU operates per second is called clock speed, and it is measured in gigahertz (GHz). Generally, the faster the clock speed of a processor, the higher performing the CPU.
Many processors today are dual core, quad-core, hex- or even octa-core, which means that there are 2, 4, 6, or 8 physical processing units making up the CPU itself. The more cores the CPU has, the more efficiently it can operate. Multi-core CPUs are ideal for multitasking or running applications that require large amounts of processing instructions (threads). The CPU divides the processing requirement among the cores to efficiently process the data.
A thread is a virtual component that handles tasks of a CPU core to complete them in an effective manner. The more threads a CPU can execute at a single time, the more tasks it can complete. The CPU divides tasks into separate threads and runs them at the same time; this is called multithreading. You and I know it as multitasking–doing multiple things at once.
SMT, or simultaneous multithreading (Hyperthreading™ is an Intel® trademarked term for the same process) enables resource-sharing of cores between two or more threads. This has the effect of allowing the processor to “double dip” cache memory and execution units, but it comes with an increase in CPU power consumption.
RAM (random-access memory) is one of the most important components in determining the performance of a computer system. RAM gives applications a place to store and access data on a short-term basis; storing the information your PC is actively using so it can be accessed quickly. The most common types of RAM used in today’s Industrial PCs are DDR3L and DDR4.
DDR3L (double data rate type 3 low voltage standard) RAM is a type of memory module that operates at a low 1.35V level and comes solely in a 204-pin length that was developed for laptop PCs. This type of RAM requires less power and generates less heat than traditional desktop RAM, making it the preferred RAM type for everyday mobile and embedded computing systems.
DDR4 (double data rate type 4) RAM is a type of memory module that supports higher memory density than DDR3L, which means that more memory capacity can exist on a similar form factor. DDR4 RAM frequency is faster, which enables it to do more. Power consumption of DDR4 RAM is 1.2V, which makes DDR4 the ideal RAM for high performance applications in mobile/embedded computing.
Most panel PCs nowadays come with at least 4 GB of RAM, and many systems can feature up to 64GB of RAM. In fact, Microsoft requires a minimum of 2GB of RAM to be installed on a PC running Windows 10. However, for best performance it is usually advised to at least double Microsoft’s minimum requirement.
The common 2.5” solid state drive (SSD) is one of the most recognizable storage devices today. SSDs are prominent features of Industrial PCs because they feature no moving parts, unlike traditional hard drives. This means a higher level of vibration resistance and a longer-lasting component.
Serial-ATA (SATA) Interface simply refers to the methodology of how information or data is transferred to and from the storage device. The current SATA standard, SATA3, operates at 6.0 Gb/s.
Where SATA is the interface of how information is transferred, MLC is the structure of how the physical memory modules within the storage device are arranged. MLC stands for multi-level cell, and an MLC storage device is commonly defined as an SSD which can store two bits of data in each cell.
Nonvolatile memory express (NVME), like SATA, is an interface protocol, the blueprint of how data and information is transferred between the storage device and other items in the system such as the CPU and the RAM. NVME delivers higher bandwidth performance compared to SATA storage and as a result is ideal for high performance data storage and processing.
TLC is the structure of a Solid State Drive that features three bits of data in each cell. 3D TLC arranges the physical memory cells vertically, hence the 3D moniker. Vertical stacking of the cells means higher memory density, and 3D TLC drives consume less power than other types of Solid State Devices.
As with RAM, storage capacity is integral to the system. Many Industrial Panel and Box PCs available today come with a minimum storage capacity of 32 or 64 GB, and the SSD capacity can be up to 1TB or more. When assessing your storage requirements, don’t forget that the PC’s operating system will take up a good chunk of space for itself as well, so it’s always a good idea to see Microsoft’s minimum hardware requirements if you’re thinking about using a Windows® OS.
Monitors with touch input are a popular choice in many industrial facilities, as they allow operators to quickly interact with controls without the need for a separate input device such as a mouse or keyboard. Monitors with touch capabilities combine user input and data visualization into a single interface, allowing users to view feedback data and take action without looking away from the screen. While there are several different methods of touch input detection, resistive and capacitive touch are the most common styles used in industrial facilities.
The most common Operating System in the Industrial PC industry is Microsoft Windows®. The two main operating system choices of Microsoft Windows® are Windows 10 and Windows 11. Each of those Operating Systems comes in different versions for industrial computers such as:
Another Windows operating system you may have heard of in the industrial market would be Windows 10 IoT Core. This Operating System is generally only used for low-power, and simple smart devices/sensors, and not used in applications that need to run multiple applications.
For those who want to have the freedom to customize anything about their operating system, or coders who build their own programs, Linux Ubuntu is also an option on many Industrial Panel and Box PCs.
This Operating System is one of the most recognizable in the world, thanks to its creator, Microsoft. Windows 10 in an Industrial PC typically has the same user-interfaces as Windows 10 on a personal machine.
The newest version of the personal Windows OS is also available in the industrial space, and, like Windows 10, the user experience is equivalent to a personal PC. Windows 11 is more security-minded, and to run Windows 11, an Industrial PC must meet several hardware security requirements:
Embedded and Non-Embedded Operating Systems are typically Enterprise-level versions of the equivalent OS, and many times the user will notice no functional difference. With Enterprise level systems, the OS update schedule is typically not as frequent, and can be managed by the Network Administrator. Enterprise level embedded and non-embedded operating systems have a longer support lifecycle than consumer versions of the same OS, which provide the security in knowing your OS will be supported for years to come.
Professional versions of the Operating System are the exact OS just like on a personal laptop or desktop. It’s the full version, with all updates on the more frequent consumer schedule.
Linux is the kernel – or backbone – of many open-source Operating Systems, such as Ubuntu. Ubuntu is one of the most popular Operating Systems due to its open- source nature, which allows for users to modify its code or distribute and install the customized OS without licensing requirements.
Ubuntu is a great option for programmers and developers that wish to use proprietary software or otherwise customize aspects or features of the Operating System they would not be able to do with Windows.
How big a screen do you want to have on your PC? Do you want to be able to use the screen as a touch input? How bright do you want the screen to be? Do you want to be able to see the display from an angle? What the heck is Optical Bonding?
These are the many questions that customers of Industrial PCs ask themselves. The display selection process is just as important as the CPU and RAM – after all, a small 7-inch display may not be suitable for a large factory environment, while a 21.5” high brightness display may not be the right choice for a smaller assembly station.
Many Industrial Panel PCs have screen sizes as small as 7.0” measured diagonally, and can go upwards of 21.5”, with many sizes between. As a rule, the larger the screen size, the higher the resolution. Screen resolution is like real estate – the higher resolution a display has, the more it can show.
Many of today’s Industrial Panel PCs have touch screens, eliminating the need for a mouse and keyboard. There are two types of touch inputs, Resistive and Capacitive.
Resistive touch screens use two layers separated by air or an inert gas. When the user presses the screen, the film indents and the materials touch at that point. The layers are conductive, so the system registers the difference in voltage as a touch in that location. Resistive touch screens need occasional calibration to accurately register the touch inputs. Since these screens operate via physical pressure, any object can be used to register a touch – fingers, stylus, or even screwdrivers (though that’s not recommended, of course).
Surface capacitive touch (capacitive) is the first generation of capacitive touch screen technology. This basic capacitive technology features one conductive layer under a thin protective coating. A user touches the screen, and the conductive finger/ object alters the electromagnetic field; this alteration is what the system registers as a touch.
Projected capacitive touch (PCAP) is the method of touch input used today on smartphones, tablets, and PCs. The touch screen is an array of conductors that create an electromagnetic field on one or more conductive layers. Because of the positioning of the sensors in PCAP screens, they are more accurate compared to their surface capacitive siblings.
PCAP screens have the benefit of supporting gestures and multi-touch actions such as swiping or pinching in and out to zoom correspondingly. Surface Capacitive and Resistive touch screens only support single-touch operation.
Standard display brightness ranges from 250-450 nits (a nit is a unit of measurement that describes how bright a display is), though the official term is candela per square meter (cd/m2). A range of 250-450 nits is typical for indoor use, whereas displays featuring “sunlight readability” will typically have ~ nits of brightness. These high brightness displays are usually found outside, or in places with lots of sun glare.
Standard display brightness ranges from 250-450 nits (a nit is a unit of measurement that describes how bright a display is), though the official term is candela per square meter (cd/m2). A range of 250-450 nits is typical for indoor use, whereas displays featuring “sunlight readability” will typically have ~ nits of brightness. These high brightness displays are usually found outside, or in places with lots of sun glare.
With an Industrial PC display, it may not be feasible to look directly at the screen at the optimal 90* perpendicular viewing angle. Many IPC displays allow for a wide viewing angle (measured as degrees off-perpendicular in 4 directions: Top, Bottom, Right and Left). The higher the angle in each direction, the more off-center the viewer can be, yet still clearly see the display.
Often pairing with high brightness / sunlight readable displays due to glare- reduction properties, optical bonding is the process of applying a layer of resin between the LCD and the touch panel or glass of a display, bonding them together with no air gaps. Optical bonding is a great option for use in harsh application environments such as outdoor, marine, or other places where a rugged display is an ideal requirement. Optical bonding eliminates the chances of getting humidity/moisture build-up between the glass and the screen.
The operating environment of an Industrial PC is as varied as the options available on the PCs themselves – from office settings to outdoor billboards, foodservice applications to industrial degreasers, you want to make sure the Industrial PC you select for your job will do a good job. Industrial PCs can carry a variety of ratings that will help you find the appropriate rating for your application environment. Part of the operating environment, the ambient temperature is an important factor to consider when selecting an Industrial PC.
Many Industrial PCs are rated to operate in temperatures ranging from 0-50° C. This temperature range is ideal for uses such as office environments, warehouses, or other climate-controlled spaces.
Industrial PCs featuring an extended operating temperature range will be rated for operation in temperatures outside of the standard 0-50° C range. Some extended temp rated units can operate in 60° or 70° C environments, whereas others can operate in extreme cold such as -20° or -40° C. There are others that can operate in both extremes – at any temperature from -40~70° C!
There are two main rating systems for measuring ingress protection; IP and NEMA. An IP rating is based on two numbers, the first being the level of protection against solids, the second being the protection level against liquids. The higher the number, the better.
The NEMA rating is similar in that it also rates something by how well it is protected, but the product being rated is the enclosure, not the Industrial PC itself.
The material of your Industrial PC may be steel, aluminum, or stainless steel, depending on the application in which your PC will be used. Aluminum and steel are the most common materials used in an Industrial PC.
Aluminum is lightweight and helps for heat dissipation in fanless systems. Steel, being stronger than aluminum, is sometimes used in the bezel / front panel of an industrial PC for rigidity when panel mounting.
Stainless Steel is used on certain Industrial PCs used in foodservice, sanitation, clean room, or other operating environments for which aluminum or regular steel would be less desirable.
With the advent of Solid State Drives, shock and vibration is not as much of a hazard to Industrial PC systems as they once were. With older Hard Disk Drives having spinning platters, jostling/vibration of the system risked corruption or loss of data.
Many Industrial Panel and Box PCs available are fanless, which is a good thing in the battle against shock and vibration. Systems with fans that can warp or get damaged with constant vibration are a weak link; fanless systems help to alleviate the risk of damage in this way.
The Industrial PC itself is only a part of the complete system – what else will be connected to your PC? Do you require video outputs? Ethernet? Wi-Fi? What sort of peripherals are you planning on plugging into the unit – USB or Serial? Explore common connectivity options below.
Sure, you may already have a display on your Industrial PC – but what about adding another? What if you have an industrial Box PC without a display? What sort of display do you want to hook up?
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Video Graphics Array (VGA) has been one of the main display interfaces over the last many decades. It provides good image quality and resolution display capability over a 15-pin Serial type cable.
High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is the standard display interface for many Industrial PCs. It provides high quality, high bandwidth, high resolution display capabilities with a digital signal.
DisplayPort (DP) is also a very common digital display interface with industrial Panel and Box PCs. DisplayPort has many sub-interfaces, providing different levels of high-resolution options.
Digital interfaces such as DP and HDMI can typically output high resolutions such as 4K, 8K or even better; analog VGA typically outputs lower resolutions such as 2K pixels.
If your Industrial PC is to be connected to an internal network, or to the World Wide Web, you’re going to want to have at least one Ethernet connection. Ethernet connections on modern Industrial PCs can support gigabit and even multi gigabit speeds.
Ethernet is capable of providing much more than simple network or internet access, enabling connections to Remote I/O modules, Web HMIs, and more.
Wireless Connectivity is everywhere, these days you can have the Internet on your , or binge shows from your couch. Industrial Panel PCs equipped with Wi-Fi can do the same! They need not be physically tethered to the Network, set up to connect to a wireless network and enjoy the same connectivity and data transferability as if they were.
Universal Serial Bus (USB) has turned into the most common interface for attaching peripherals to a PC. Keyboards, mice, flash drives, and many more devices use the USB interface.
USB 2.0 has been the standard USB interface for decades. USB 2.0 has a maximum transfer speed of 480Mb/s.
USB 3.0 uses newer technology to achieve 6Gb/s speeds over the same rectangular (type A) USB connection. USB 3.0 ports are backwards compatible, meaning a USB 2.0 device can be plugged into it and still work, just at USB 2. 0 speeds. Typically, blue tabs denote USB 3.0 ports.
USB Type C (USB-C) is that oblong shaped port – this is a different interface than the other two USB mentioned above, because of its capability. USB-C is faster, more powerful, and can handle more tasks than USB 2.0 or USB 3.0. For example, a USB-C port can act as an extra display output and even provide 4K resolution! USB-C can be found on some of the newer, high-end Industrial PC units.
Prior to USB, communication to peripherals, controllers, printers and the like was done via a 9-pin serial port. This DE-9 connector is still found in many Industrial PCs today, due to the popularity and simplicity of basic serial connections. Many industrial applications still feature devices communicating via good old fashioned DE-9 serial connections.
Industrial Panel PCs aren’t like the desktops at the office – they must be mounted somehow! There are two main mounting methods for mounting Industrial Panel PCs: Panel and VESA mounting.
Many of today’s Industrial PCs can be mounted to a panel, provided there is a “lip” in the bezel and mounting holes to allow for clips/clamps to secure the PC to the Panel.
Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) mounting is a method of mounting an industrial PC utilizing a set of screws at the rear of the unit. VESA dimension schemes, denoted in millimeters, are universal (for example, VESA-75×75 is a pattern of 4 screws placed in a square, with the center of each screw 75mm away from the other screws in the square). Aside from VESA- 75×75, another common VESA mounting pattern is VESA-100×100, where the mounting screws are placed 100mm apart.
Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and Electromagnetic interference (EMI) are terms worth knowing, because of the importance they have regarding successful usage of your Industrial PC.
Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) is how well a device blocks EMI. EMC is the shielding used within devices that aim to minimize the effects of EMI. One of the best things that a system designer or user can do to minimize EMI and to increase the EMC of a unit is to ensure good grounding practices. Properly grounding an electronic device such as an industrial PC provides a low impedance path for EMI to be safely dispersed.
Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) is radiation (energy) released from an electrical device that is disruptive to other nearby electrical devices. If you’ve ever reheated your coffee in the microwave and heard a buzzing sound or noticed a flickering in the room’s LED lighting, you’ve witnessed EMI in action. EMI also occurs naturally, in the form of lightning strikes and solar flares.
Challenging environmental conditions and safety regulations may require that a device is certified by a trusted organization to ensure that it is safe to use when exposed to adverse conditions. When installing devices in facilities with high humidity, liquids, dust, or other hazardous materials that can damage sensitive electronics and jeopardize safety and productivity, it is extremely important to ensure the HMI has certification to operate in those conditions.
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) is an independent science and safety organization that evaluates and certifies products, processes, and materials to ensure that they meet industry standards for safety and reliability. UL stands as one of the world’s most trusted organizations for safety and reliability testing, and many areas often require their certification.
The UL organization issues this certification specifically for devices used in hazardous locations. Class I, Div 2 certified devices are designed to operate safely in environments where flammable gases or vapors may be present under abnormal conditions.
The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) uses a standard rating system to assess electronic devices and determine whether the enclosure used for a device is capable of resisting ingress from water or other potentially damaging materials.
Conformite Europeenne (CE) is a European standard that assesses products to certify that they meet safety, health and environmental protection requirements and is a requirement for devices being sold in much of the European Union.
The European Union adopted the Reduction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) initiative to reduce the harmful effects of dangerous substances on people and the environment. RoHS certification indicates that a product does not contain unsafe levels of chemicals deemed hazardous. This includes testing for heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, and mercury, and other potentially dangerous elements.
Developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the Ingress Protection rating system measures how well the housing of a device can prevent dust, moisture, and liquids from entering the housing and damaging the components inside. The IP rating system is defined in international standard IEC , and ratings will consist of two numbers. The first number indicates how well the housing protects against solid foreign objects such as dust, and the second number indicates its resistance to ingress from water. For example, IP69 is the greatest possible rating for this standard, and devices with this rating have been found to be dust-tight and protected against high pressure and temperature water jets.
The ATEX directive, a certification system developed for use in the EU, assesses whether a device can be used safely in environments with explosive materials. Within the EU, all devices used in hazardous or explosive atmospheres require ATEX certification.
The Federal Communications Commission certification confirms that a device’s electromagnetic radiation falls within established limits and should not interfere with other electronic devices’ operation in the surrounding area. Any device capable of operating in the radio frequency range of 9 kHz to 3,000 GHz requires FCC certification.
When building a PC whether it is the first time or 10th time there is a lot to consider. Some consideration points or do’s & dont’s come to mind quickly but others are not so immediate or clear but are equally as important to keep in mind during the building process. To try to make the building process as easy as possible here at PCDIY I have provide detailed guides and checklists to help you along the PCDIY build experience. The first in our checklist series is 10 things you should & should not do when building a PC. While there will be more than 10 items covered in this post we will put the focus on the most important. Additionally I look forward to your feedback and experiences on what should be added to our list. So how many of these do you do or do not do?
While this may seem like a common sense tip I have seen novice and seasoned builder make the mistake of carelessly handling memory modules ( DIMM’s ), graphics cards ( GPU’s ) , processors ( CPU’s ) and more. Your hands have oils, water / moisture, various foreign debris & matter, dander and much more ( like lotions or other topical creams ). All this and more can dirty the clean contact area causing a number of issues ranging from initialization failure, memory not being registered correctly or fully to system instability.
Below are some examples of how NOT to handle your components
Be cautious when holding key components that have sensitive contact areas. If you want to be extra cautious you can use tech grade ESD gloves. I recommend ESD Nitrile gloves that have microtextured fingertips that provide excellent grip on all surfaces. 100% nitrile gloves contain no natural rubber or silicone and meet stringent requirements for particles and extractables. In regards to handling try not to directly handle PCB or contact points. For a graphics card try to handle it from the corners or the heatsink. For a motherboard use the corners / sides. If you do not want to use full gloves you can also consider finger ESD cods. If you use your bare hands just have common sense and keep in mind when the contacts are
The best way would be to use a special contact cleaner from companies like MG Chemicals or using tech grade alcohol again from companies like MG Chemicals. Additionally you want to use a lint free or tech grade swab or cloth to clean the area you can also get this from MG chemicals. Users that what to take it to the next level can use specialized contact cleaners designed for PCB boards and sensitive electronics or areas with gold interconnects.
Static discharge is reality when handling sensitive electronic components. While they are a multitude of factors that affect how and why you may have a discharge including humidity, temperature, movement, nearby insulators there is a lot you can to make sure your expensive hardware is not damaged or at least reduce the likelihood of ESD occurring.
If you have an expensive build ( more than 850 dollars I recommend the investment in ESD surface mat and ESD screwdriver ). While some may consider it excessive consider you have made a sizable investment and this is minimal investment in helping to preserve the lifespan / functionality of your components. Additionally for future builds or upgrades these will come in handy. For builds exceeding $ dollars especially in just the core products ( CPU, Motherboard, GPU and DRAM ) I strongly recommend investing in a ESD surface and ESD screwdriver. You can get disposable ESD mats for less than 10 dollars so it very reasonable.
Depending on your physical location, geography, temperature and surrounding objects you can be significantly more likely to experience ESD. Hot, humid and carpeted environments are much more prone to ESD compared to cool, not humid and non carpeted environments. This is due to the fact static electricity is caused by an imbalance of electrons on a surface. Atoms normally contain an equal number of protons and electrons . When there is a difference this can cause a discharge when equalizing. This is due to the action of two materials / surfaces in motion making contact. Once contact is made electrons jump from one to the other to equalize and resolve the imbalance. Movement and friction also cause transfer of these causing further imbalances when making contact with other surfaces.
So what do temperature and humidity have to do with static electricity? Moisture makes the air more conductive, so it can absorb and more evenly distribute excess charges. On days where the humidity is high objects don’t hold static charges well. As for the temperature sudden or consistent changes can generate a temporary voltage. This is known as the pyroelectric effect.
This is a mistake happens a lot especially with CPU coolers. Many users think the tighter the better. Overall the goal is to ensure a solid secure bond, this can generally be achieved with a little more than finger tight. Exceeding this can cause serious issues. Why? Strain, torsion and unneeded pin / pad contact. Consider that when mounting the cooling solution you are have the CPU which has a pad which is being push down against a socket with pins. Excessive pressure can cause memory channels to drop and even cause instability when pad makes contact with the socket. This is due to the fact the memory controller is in the CPU and needs to registered the pins from the motherboard socket to registered and initialize all the DIMMS physically installed. A little known fact is Intel even has recommended guidelines for socket pressure. This is partly why Intel used push pins on the reference coolers as it ensured consistent pressure without over torque. More professional sockets and like X79 and X99 users server grade mounting options which make it almost impossible to over torque.
Simply loosen the screws. If you are in the process of screwing in the retention plate or retention mechanism consider using a ratcheting screwdriver like those from BAHCO or WIHA. These type of screw drivers can allow you to be more precise at how much you torque you are applying.
This is pretty important I have seen everything from bent pins to hardware being dropped and broken to a myriad of other unfortunate occurrences due to not having a clean, stable, and large enough surface to build on. Having an open, clean and stable surface will make the building process go much easier with a better sense of clarity than if everything is crunched and crammed together on the corner of a table.
a four ( 4 ) legged table that measures at least 4 feet length x 2 free width ( or depth ) is ideal, of course the bigger the better. Additionally make sure it is clean and do not have drinks in the immediate surrounding area. If you must have something then use something with spill proof drinking spout. I personally use a Hydro Flask with a fold down spout that is great as even if it falls over I do not run the risk of spilling liquid / water over my hardware
If you want to take it to the next level get yourself a ESD mat to place onto your working area.
This is a big one that I surprised not more users think about when building for as little as 3 dollars to 13 dollars you can get one to four magnetic trays in different colors that will make your build easier and quicker. PC’s have a wide range of screws that range from small to smaller to insanely small. When considering how small they are it can be easy to jostle them by bumping a table or setting down the chassis and have them fall to the ground and roll away or even worse fall onto or into carpet. Using a magnetic tray allows you to easily sort your screws specific to your CPU cooler, chassis, SSDs, etc. It also allows you to easily have an order to what you are working on ( especially if you use ) colored magnetic trays.
I put an asterisk on this as it is more important to use a quality screwdriver than having a screwdriver of poor quality that is magnetic. Most of my screwdrivers are non magnetic but high quality with ergonomic non slip handles, precision tips and feature a high quality metal alloy composition. If needed I can use a magnetizer. Having a quality screwdriver in the varying sizes and lengths helps to ensure accuracy, consistency equal / balanced torque and most importantly minimizing the slippage & striping of a screw. Equally as important having varying handle / shaft lengths help to ensure you can more easily navigate and screw in screws in tighter areas. This is especially true for top mount screws for a motherboard where clearance is limited and the top area of chassis cavity has a lot of components minimizing how much of your hand or the top portion of a screw driver handle will fit.
BAHCO, WIHA, WERA tools
This one happens a lot but it can be tricky depending on the compound you use and the heatsink base. In addition it is also influenced by how much you may torque down the heat sink assembly. Over applying can cause a number of issues including poor temperature performance as well as worst case CPU & memory initialization issues if the compound has run into the crevices of the CPU socket and make contacts with pins or the pad of the CPU.
Starting out one recommendation is to warm the compound up by rubbing it in between your hands or fingers or running it under hot water. This helps to make it more fluid and easy to work with. From there apply a small amount ( it is always easier to add than take away ). Size wise look for approximately a large grain of rice. From there push down on the base of your heatsink assembly and hold it down for around 30 seconds. From there twist off and pull away and see how much is spread across the IHS and the base of the heatsink, if needed apply a small additional amount to complete coverage. A better option is using my favorite compound spreading tool which are finger cods. They are easy to work with and allow for precise movement and spreading regards of the IHS type. Additionally if using the thermal compound for the first time and in a syringe type dispenser consider testing how much comes out first externally on a piece of paper as opposed to having too much come out the first time. If you use a closed loop water cooler you are lucky as they come pre applied with thermal compound. No need to remove that compound as keep in mind these compounds are what are used to produce the advertised metric of the cooling solution.
This is one that is not normally thought about but can cause a number of issues, especially with upgrade builders. It is important to remember memory kits are rated for a specific frequency, timings and voltage. Going from 2 DIMMS to 4 DIMMS even if the same DIMMS ( at least based on model number ) can cause issues as the timings for a 4 DIMM kit may be different from a 2 DIMM kit. Also memory vendors change memory chip / suppliers overtime so you can have a memory module that used Hynix and the next kit could use Samsung ( even though both are the same model number ). All this and more can lead to instability, issues with XMP profile initialization and more. As such be cautious when mixing memory kits. Generally you want to try to ensure you have complete matched kits. If not possible or you want to mix kits be prepared as it may requiring some manual tuning.
ASUS motherboards feature advanced fan headers offering robust control and flexibility. To use them to power a pump is a waste. With most pumps just needing DC power but not control there is a better option.
A better option is to use a fan header to molex adapter and power the pump directly from the PSU. This helps to save a header for an additional fan that can be directly controlled by the motherboard or if you use newer ASUS boards allows you to have multiple fans connected by using the header in PWM output mode and using a PWM splitter cable to control multiple fans.
In a recent survey we found more than 50% of builders failed to install their I/O shield. While a small item it is important to help minimize shorting issues with insertion of USB and back I/O devices and it can also aid in ESD and EMI related issues. As you cannot install the I/O shield after you install the motherboard make sure you have it in hand and reference our Build a PC checklist to ensure you account for it when installing all your MANDATORY / REQUIRED components.
This is a pretty big one and almost made our top ten. In fact missing this one can cause serious damage to your hardware and cause shorting issue which can cause your system to not power on. All chassis have internal standoff points where a small hex screw will affix and then allow you to mount the motherboard on top of and secure firmly into place inside the central cavity of the chassis. While many chassis come with them pre-installed some do not. Additionally some motherboard have different ATX layouts requiring less or more stand offs or stand offs in different places.
Count the standoff points on your motherboard. From there check internally in the central cavity of the chassis verifying if you have the correct number of stands offs in place and in the correct location. If they are missing or misaligned screw in the stand offs and adjustment them accordingly.
Many tweakers, tuners and overclockers make assumptions as to what they think need to be modified within the UEFI. In most cases when overclocking very little needs to be defined outside of enabling XMP, your multiplier, voltage type and the voltage target. If using our Auto Tuning technology then nothing needs to be modified. For users who are manually tuning once you have defined the previously noted parameters I strongly recommended in trusting the auto rules programmed into the board to adjust parameters such as VRM operation including phase response and loading policies as well as aspects like OCP. These type of parameters should ideally be left to auto values as they help to ensure superior stability. In fact we have found cases where users power configurations are less efficient or cause instability.
The number of questions I get everyday is vast. Surprisingly I would say at least 50% would be answered most quickly and with fairly good clarity by reading the manual. There are maybe aspects to building a PC whether it is recommendations, information on usability and functionality or set up information all contained with manuals. As such you should make it a point to review and reference your manual. It will always help you in the long run and never hurt you.
While many builders use zip ties for cable management I prefer not to use them. They are made of plastic and are generally single use, if you need to reposition or manage additional cables this is difficult this is generally not possible. Doing any type of cable management after the fact or removal of the zip tie generally requires you to snip it throw it away and then use another. Due to their plastic composition and the small snipping size zip ties are much more likely to end up in landfills, waterways and our oceans. A better option is to consider using Velcro or similar wraps. They come in a wide variety of colors, widths and lengths and can be undone and redone easily. I have also found find that due to their width being greater than a zip tie they handle multiple cables better while also further compressing cables down compared to zip ties which can pinch in on cables.
So that wraps up our initial list. We hope this to be a living document and will update it with more pictures and do’s and don’t as they come to mind or we get feedback from the community.
We will be offering the downloadable checklist shortly for those looking to have a downloadable document to assist in PC building. Please test the link below and see if it works for you. ( This is not the checklist but a test of the auto generation function )
[frontend-checklist name=”PCDIY Build a PC Checklist” type=”pdf” title=”My Checklist” linktext=”To the Checklist”]
For more information, please visit 3mm solid sheet.