Is there a list of To Do's before building a new system

Eaglepi said:

I'm about to build a new computer system in the next few months and I was wondering if there is a To Do list that someone has made to use as a guideline before I start.

I plan to create a UBS bootable USB of my latest Win 10 that Brink made the tutorial on.

I'm trying to make my own list of what I should do before starting the new build but was wondering if others here have compiled a list of things to do.

Here's a quickie build guide from the other day.
Ofc the manual that I linked was for that person's comp...


Quickie comp building guide. | Windows 11 Forum



You should download the pdf versions of your motherboard and your case manuals.
You can peruse them a few times. Makes the building a lot easier.

[QUOTE=Eaglepi;2530325]Sorry maybe I was specific on my question. I appreciate your link and I will make sure I follow it but I was speaking more about things to make sure I do before I turn off my computer and start the build. I have a Triple redundant storage system and all my dated data is copied on all 3 drives. So after my build and the install of Win 10 ( Not going to win 11 for a while ) I wil have all my saved data. It's the things other than my data I don't want to forget to save or download before I start.


Key things are

1) make sure you have key drivers on a usb drive in case you need them - in particular IRST drivers may be needed if using an nvme drive

2) you have all installation codes for software, particulary licences software - you may need to formally uninstall licences on old device before you can install on new device - not all software licences are transferable to a new device.

3) make sure you have your windows activation keys handy as well

4) Not essential but I recommend only installing OS with one drive attached first, and attach others later - this reduces risk of accidentally overwriting or wiping data drives during installation.

5) Nice bottle of red wine to enjoy after you have installed it (or whatever takes your fancy e.g. cream cake, vegan washing powder sheet (I bought some washing powder sheets marked Vegan, so I assume they are edible).

I can make a hardware list.

Rule 1 of IT = coffee...... so get a cup of coffee to enjoy and keep the nerves calm. *yeah its mostly joking on this one, but coffee is good to have

Note....
When working with computer hardware, motherboard, RAM, CPU, and cards like external GPU, Network, Raid etc card.
Be aware of ESD or electrostatic discharge..
Things nowadays isn't as sensitive as it was in the 90's.... when you could look at a RAM stick the wrong way and it broke.. But this is still something to keep in mind.. so either use an ESD armband and if you don't have that, Make sure to discharge yourself by touching ground.. That can be your sink or a metal water tap or similar... Then to make sure you dont build up new static electricity do not wear socks containing nylon while standing on a cotton carpet.
Then let your forearm lean against the computer chassis. That way you and the chassis is the same circuit and will have the same potential(i think that is the right english word)
End Note


But first.. do an inventory.. do you have it all. screws, cooling paste/Thermal Paste, cables, RAM, drives, CPU and motherboard is a bonus to have. You get what i mean.
New PSU? of not.. make sure the old is powerful enough for the new motherboard and graphic card etc.

Before you disassemble the old things.. Take a few pictures of how cables is attached and so on... This is in case you ever wonder.. Did i have that disk on Sata2 or Sata1.. or whatever it might be that you wondering about.

Make sure the motherboard screws is in the same place on the old and new motherboard.. If not. most chassis has removable screw spacers so you can correct it to fit the new motherboard.. and if its a new chassis, then the same, make sure they mach the motherboard screw holes.

easiest is to mount CPU, Ram and M.2 disk while you still have the motherboard on the table in front of you, then mount them when the motherboard is in the chassis.
Don't forget to mount the I/O plate in the back on the chassis before you put in the motherboard. it is more common to forget then you think. *lol*

screws should be tighten firm but still light.. as you might want to remove them in the future without needing to drill them. two finger grip on the screwdriver gives a nice feeling for it.

If its small air-cooler to the CPU i mount them while the motherboard is on the table.. if they are big and will shade some motherboard screw holes, then i mount the cooler afterwords.

attach cables and those things.

When you are finish... STOP.. walk away, take a minute break with a coffee or something.. Then go back and look.. is all cables attached, is everything in its right place.. is external PCI-e cards all the way down.. etc.

When you rechecked your own work, then its time to boot in to bios.. you have some tab on the computer health.. Keep an eye on the CPU temp just to check you got the paste right. In bios the CPU will run on max clock speed.. My goal is that the CPU not runs hotter then 45-50-55C (i heard that intel gen12+13 runs hot compare to older gens so I'm not sure what bios idle temp they have)


That is my two cents to this thread.
Good luck on your computer build.

Eaglepi said:

Thanks for your reply, once again I am not asking for how to build, I'm asking what to do before I turn my computer off to start the build. Things I might forget etc?

I started with a smaller list when i saw @cereberus post, so i rewrite mine to be only hardware.
I still wish you good luck.
Use a new drive or do a clone on your old system drive.. if you have forgotten some documents or anything you have it anyway.

Eaglepi said:

Thanks for your reply, as I said in my OP I save all my docs to a seperate drive and then copy that drive to 2 other drives. It isn't my docs I am concerned about. It's obvious I asked this question wrong but don't know how to ask it in any other way???

When someone builds a new system they have to make sure they do certain things before the build with their current system, other than saved data I'm looking for a to do list of other things I might miss if not thinking about it. Hope this makes my question a lot clear.... sorry I wasn't clear in my OP

Still not clear.

There are several steps

1) buy right components to suit yourneeds.

2) build pc

3) install OS

4) Verify hardware is properly working

5) install required software.

We can certainly assist with the software aspects as this is primarily a software forum. Hardware is trickier as every device is different.

It is not clear what advice you need or are looking for.

It is reasonable to assume you have some experience but we have no idea how much.

You have to give a more focused request or you will get a variety of responses that could be contradictory.

The best way to move forward is YOU produce a to do list and ask us if you are missing anything important.

Otherwise your post is too open ended and we are second guessing your skill set.