Building a new PC from scratch can seem intimidating at first, but with a bit of planning and careful assembly, it can be a fun and rewarding project. Here are the basic steps you’ll need to follow:

1. Plan your build: Before you start, you’ll need to decide on your budget, what kind of components you want, and what you’ll be using your PC for. This will help you decide what kind of motherboard, processor, graphics card, cooler, and other components you’ll need.
2. Gather your components: Here are the essential components you’ll need to build a PC from scratch:
   • Motherboard
   • Processor (CPU)
   • Graphics card (GPU) (if your CPU doesn’t have an integrated one)
   • RAM (memory)
   • Storage (hard drive or solid-state drive)
   • Power supply unit (PSU)
   • Case
   • CPU Cooler (air or liquid)
   • Operating system (OS) installation media (e.g. USB or DVD)
3. Assemble the components: Once you have all your components, you’ll need to assemble them. Here are the basic steps:
   • Install the CPU onto the motherboard, following the instructions that came with the CPU and motherboard.
   • Install the CPU cooler onto the CPU, following the instructions that came with the cooler.
   • Install the RAM into the motherboard, following the instructions that came with the motherboard.
   • Install the GPU (if you have one) into the appropriate slot on the motherboard, following the instructions that came with the GPU.
   • Mount the storage drives (hard drive or SSD) in the appropriate bays in the case, following the instructions that came with the case.
   • Mount the PSU in the appropriate location in the case, following the instructions that came with the case.
   • Connect the necessary cables from the PSU to the motherboard, GPU, and storage drives, following the instructions that came with the PSU and motherboard.
   • Connect the power switch, reset switch, and other front panel connectors from the case to the motherboard, following the instructions that came with the case and motherboard.
4. Power on and test the PC: Once you’ve assembled everything, it’s time to turn on the PC and make sure it works. Here’s what you need to do:
   • Connect a monitor, keyboard, and mouse to the PC.
   • Insert the OS installation media (e.g. USB or DVD) and boot the PC from it.
   • Follow the prompts to install the OS.
   • Once the OS is installed, install any necessary drivers for your components.
   • Test the PC to make sure everything is working properly.

Congratulations, you’ve successfully built your own PC from scratch!

If you have both Ubuntu and Windows installed on your computer like I have and want to set a default operating system, you can easily do so in Ubuntu by following these steps:

1. Open the terminal either by searching for “Terminal” in the applications menu or pressing Ctrl + Alt + T.
2. Once the terminal is open, type the command “sudo nano /etc/default/grub” and hit Enter.
3. You will be prompted to enter your user password. After entering your password, press Enter.
4. The text editor will now open with the GRUB configuration file. Locate the line that begins with “GRUB_DEFAULT=” and change the value within the quotation marks to the number of the desired default OS. For example, if you want to set Windows as the default OS and it is the second option in the GRUB menu, change the value to “1“. The first option starts with “0“.
5. After making the necessary changes, save the file by pressing Ctrl + X, then Y, and finally Enter.
6. Update GRUB by running the command “sudo update-grub” in the terminal.
7. Restart your computer and the default OS should now be the one you specified.

Remember that modifying the GRUB configuration file can be risky and may cause your system to become unbootable. Therefore, it is recommended to make a backup of the original file before making any changes.

WHQL stands for Windows Hardware Quality Labs, which is a certification process developed by Microsoft to ensure that drivers and hardware are compatible with Windows operating systems. WHQL certified drivers have undergone a series of tests to ensure their compatibility, stability, and reliability with Windows.

A regular driver, on the other hand, may not have undergone this certification process and may not have been tested for compatibility with Windows operating systems. Regular drivers may also come from a variety of sources, including the hardware manufacturer’s website or third-party websites.

In general, WHQL certified drivers are more reliable and less likely to cause problems with your system. However, there may be cases where a regular driver works better for your specific hardware configuration.

It’s always a good idea to check whether your hardware manufacturer provides WHQL certified drivers for your device, and if so, to use those drivers. However, if no WHQL certified drivers are available, you can try using regular drivers but be aware that there may be some risks involved.

As I am building my new PC and setting up my Samsung 980 Pro SSD, it’s important to check and update the firmware to ensure optimal performance and stability. Here are the steps you can follow:

1. Firstly, you can check the firmware version of your Samsung 980 Pro SSD by opening the “Samsung Magician” software on your computer. If you don’t have this software installed, you can download it from the Samsung website. Once you open the software, it will automatically detect and display information about your SSD, including the firmware version.
2. If the firmware version is outdated, you can go to the Samsung website and download the latest firmware version for your specific SSD model.
3. Before updating the firmware, it’s important to back up your data to avoid any potential data loss during the update process.
4. Next, you can create a bootable USB drive using a program such as Rufus or UNetbootin, and select the appropriate settings for your USB drive, such as the file system and partition scheme.
5. Connect the USB drive to your computer and restart it. When the computer starts up, access the BIOS settings and select the USB drive as the boot device.
6. Once you have booted into the USB drive, locate and run the firmware update tool that you downloaded from the Samsung website.
7. Carefully follow the on-screen instructions to update the firmware of your SSD, making sure not to interrupt the process or turn off the computer during the update.
8. After the firmware update is complete, restart the computer and make sure that the SSD is functioning normally.

By following these steps, you can check and update the firmware of your Samsung 980 Pro SSD to ensure optimal performance and stability.

Operating a CPU without a cooler is technically feasible for a brief period, but it is not advisable due to the risk of rapid overheating and permanent damage. The severity of the damage depends on the workload and CPU model.

Modern CPUs have thermal protection mechanisms that lower performance or shut down the system if the temperature exceeds a certain threshold to prevent harm. However, these mechanisms are temporary, and they should not be used for extended periods.

A case fan and a CPU fan serve different purposes in a computer system.

A case fan is designed to cool the overall temperature inside the computer case by moving air in and out of the case. It helps to prevent overheating of components, such as the graphics card and power supply, and also improves the lifespan of the system by keeping the internal temperature within safe limits. Case fans come in different sizes, speeds, and types, including axial fans, centrifugal fans, and PWM fans.

On the other hand, a CPU fan is a specialized fan that is attached to the CPU heatsink to cool the processor. The CPU generates a lot of heat during its operation, and a CPU fan helps to dissipate this heat by drawing air through the heatsink and away from the CPU. CPU fans come in different sizes and designs, including air-based and liquid-based cooling systems.

In summary, a case fan is designed to cool the entire computer system, while a CPU fan is designed to specifically cool the processor. Both fans play an important role in maintaining the temperature and overall performance of a computer system.

As I’m in the process of building my new PC, I recently had the opportunity to compare the NZXT H510 and the Corsair 4000D cases, and I have to say that I’ve decided to go with the Corsair 4000D for my build.

I really appreciated the sleek and minimalist design of the NZXT H510, with its clean front panel and large tempered glass side panel. However, in the end, I found myself drawn to the more traditional front panel design of the Corsair 4000D, which offered a mesh grille for better airflow. I also appreciated the optional tempered glass side panel for showing off my build.

When it came to cooling, the Corsair 4000D really won me over. With support for up to 6x 120mm or 4x 140mm cooling fans, along with multiple radiators including a 360mm in front and 280mm in the roof, I was impressed by its potential for excellent airflow and cooling. The NZXT H510, on the other hand, only supported up to 4 fans and had limited radiator support.

Both cases offered ample options for storage, with multiple 2.5″ and 3.5″ drive bays. However, I found that the Corsair 4000D had more options for tool-less drive installation, making upgrading and maintenance easier.

Overall, while both the NZXT H510 and the Corsair 4000D are great mid-tower cases, I ultimately decided to go with the Corsair 4000D for its superior cooling options and more traditional design. I can’t wait to see how my new build turns out!

When researching how to build a new PC, you will encounter two primary methods of cooling your CPU. The main difference between liquid and air cooling in a computer CPU is how heat is dissipated from the CPU.

Air cooling uses a heatsink and fan to draw heat away from the CPU and release it into the surrounding air. The heatsink is a metal component with fins that provide a greater surface area for heat dissipation. Meanwhile, the fan moves air over the fins to carry away the heat.