How do I apply thermal paste correctly?

For standard CPUs, apply a pea-sized dot directly in the center of the CPU metal lid. For larger CPUs (like Intel LGA1700 or AMD AM5), apply a small cross pattern or five small dots (one in each corner, one in the center) to ensure complete spread under cooler pressure.

Can static electricity kill PC components?

While modern components have built-in electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection, it is still possible to damage them. Avoid assembling on carpets, touch a grounded metal object (like a plugged-in PSU chassis) frequently, or wear an anti-static wristband.

PC Building Tips: Best Practices & Pitfalls

1. Pre-Assembly POST Check (Out-of-Box Test)

Do not install everything in the case first. Assemble the CPU, cooler, RAM, and GPU on top of the motherboard box, plug in power, and bridge the power switch pins with a screwdriver. Verifying that your system boots to BIOS *before* mounting it in the case saves massive teardown time if a component is DOA (Dead On Arrival).

2. Motherboard Standoff Verification

PC cases use brass standoffs to elevate the motherboard circuit board away from the metal case tray.Never mount a motherboard directly to the case sheet metal without standoffs — doing so will immediately short out the motherboard, destroying it. Ensure standoffs align *only* with the mounting holes of your motherboard form factor; extra standoffs positioned in the wrong spot can contact circuits on the back of the board, causing shorts.

3. The Thermal Paste "Pea-Size" Rule

Too little thermal paste leaves air pockets, causing thermal throttling. Too much paste overflows the CPU socket. A single pea-sized drop (about 5-6mm diameter) in the center is perfect for most CPUs.

⚠ Warning: Don't forget to peel off the plastic protective film on the bottom of your CPU cooler block before mounting. Leaving this on is one of the most common thermal mistakes.

4. RAM Channel Optimization

Almost all modern motherboards prefer RAM to be installed in slots 2 and 4 (counting outwards from the CPU socket). Installing RAM in adjacent slots (slots 1 and 2) runs memory in single-channel mode, which severely limits CPU memory bandwidth and lowers gaming framerates by up to 15%.

5. PSU Cable Routing Discipline

Pass cables through case routing grommets *before* screwing down the motherboard if clearances are tight (especially top CPU 8-pin power cables).
Connect all cable tails to modular power supplies before mounting the PSU inside the basement.
Do not bundle cables too tightly behind the motherboard tray until you've successfully verified the system boots.

Start planning your custom build