What "miscellaneous" parts do you recommend for a new build?

[kranky]

Will be building a new system and don't have the typical "pile o' stuff" many of you do. I have tools and two USB spare cables - not much!

So what else should I buy when getting the case and the actual operating parts of the PC? Extra cables? velcro wire ties? I would hate to be in mid-build and find out I should have bought some little thing that's holding me up.

 

[jlee]

If you buy everything retail box, you should get everything you need. The case should come with screws & standoffs (if needed). If you buy anything OEM (hard drive, DVD, etc), you'll likely need mounting screws and a cable.

I've never used wire tires in a PC, so that's up to you.

 

[lxskllr]

I like zipties for cable management. I think that's about it. Like JLee said, retail boxed MBs generally give you everything you need, plus some. You might want to buy better thermal compound. I'm not convinced it's that much better than what they give you with the parts, but I consider it cheap insurance.

 

[Blain]

You need some Nexus DiskTwin coolers to minimize vibration and help cool your HDs.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Zip ties are good. I like those twist-ties that you get on a loaf of bread.

 

[DanNeely]

Every case I've bought came with enough screws to mount the mobo and drives, and the mobo itself should come with enough drive cables for a "normal" system. Besides wireties the only optional accessories you might need would be anti-vibration mounts for your drives and case fans, or thumbscrews to make opening your case a bit easier.

 

[kranky]

OK, I guess there wasn't anything in the category of "you'll really wish you had _____". I figured everything I HAD to have would be included with retail boxed items, but was worried there would be a handful of very useful things that don't come with the components.

I'll probably get the the anti-vibration mounts - good suggestion. I'm not brave enough to try the thermal compound because I'd probably screw it up. Most of the cases I'm looking at have thumbscrews, but even so I hope not to need to go in the case for a very long time after the build is done and stable.

Thanks everyone.

 

[BaboonGuy]

Small phillips screwdriver, definitely. Thermal compound isn't that hard (depending on substance) to apply. I recommend Tuniq TX-2 as it performs well, is easy to use, and isn't electrically conductive (so you don't have to worry about spilling it anywhere).

If you mess up you can always just clean it off and try again. No big deal.

Oh yea, some rubbing alcohol to clean thermal material from a heatsink/cpu. A lot of people like 91% but I use the generic stuff (that's somewhere in the 70s %) and it works fine! The 91% is better because it has less water but using the regular stuff you just got to wait 5-10 min for the water to evaporate. And coffee filters too, to use with the rubbing alcohol to clean up.

If you're at all interested in overclocking then I highly recommend using third party TIM (thermal interface material).

 

[BaboonGuy]

And velcro, preferably industrial grade but it doesn't matter so much. It's a great way to mount a fan anywhere and it has its own anti-vibration properties

 

[SonnyDaze]

I try to have these on hand:

A few extra 3pin to 4pin adapters are handy for case fans.

2 screwdrivers in standard and phillips, large and small size.

A small flashlight.

A little screw grabber thingie (can't rememebr the name). In case you drop a screw in the case and can't reach it with your fingers.

Years ago there was a place online called Thompsons Computer Warehouse. Everytime I ordered something from there it was shipped with a roll of Lifesavers candy in the box. :laugh:

 

[kranky]

Ah, 3-pin to 4-pin adapters! That's what I'm talking about!