Hi everyone, I hope it's okay I ask such a basic question here.
I just want to build a new PC, but I don't know the best way to order all the parts, Windows 11 Pro OS and the tools I'll need to assemble it.
What do people here recommend?
Thank you!
New PC Build Help...
ThePensioner on 23/04/2025 - 03:15
Comments
Just avoid the Verge tutorial
Do not buy the retail version of Windows, use one of the many sites or ebay to get the product key for between $13-$25… That's your first saving.
It's really not worth it to build unless you want something very specific, I would just look at the many OzBargain deals like the TechFast ones…
Paying $13+ for those keys is still borderline piracy — you're not getting a legitimate personal license. It's a grey area, and Microsoft generally doesn't strictly verify license legitimacy on personal devices.
in this case either get a proper retail license, or just use tool to activate it without paying — MS is not getting an extra cent from those ebay sellers anyway.
Mod: Removed inappropriate/illegal suggestion
I always thought this was illegal but also see so many big name youtubers promote these dodgy keys (guessing they get a commission on the side)
At the very least use massgravel (its free) to activate Windows if you don't care about the EULA.
I went to massgrave but it running a random file on the PC seems dodgier than buying a serial
It runs a script that is on github, you can check it yourself.
All you need is:
- The Computer Parts
- Phillips Head Screw Driver
- USB Stick for loading on Windows for installation
- Knowledge (which YouTube could help with)
No need for other special tools. If you want to go the extra mile and make it all neat, a few cable ties doesn't hurt either.
Mod: Removed inappropriate/illegal suggestion
Keep an eye on ozbargain for bargain pre-built PC's. Sometimes it can be cheaper (and a lot easier) to buy a pre-built rather than build one from scratch.
I used https://au.pcpartpicker.com to check compatibility and make sure I wasn't getting ripped off. Then I ordered everything from Amazon, Computer Alliance or Scorptec.
Spent ages choosing the case, and in the end I went with a smaller one, because most of the ones for sale are too large and look silly in a normal room. That is, unless you're building some kind of supercomputer with a >$3k GPU and heaps of drives. I think the new trend of building in smaller cases really makes sense otherwise.
I'm using a free version of Windows 10. Windows is free if you don't mind a watermark in the corner.
The only thing I found difficult to install was the thermal paste and cooler for the CPU. Intel stock coolers are horrible. Go with a nice RGB cooler instead.
No such thing as nice RGB…..
Go with a nice RGB cooler instead.
I prefer to go with their performance rather than aesthetics. I guess that's just me.
Just buy a techfast PC and rebuild it for the learning experience (and to fix their mistakes) - you won't need any specialist tools, a screwdriver will get you through 95%
A couple of questions for you -
Are you wanting to build rather than buy as a learning experience or because someone told you it would be cheaper?
What will you be hoping to get out of this? Personal satisfaction, a high-end gaming PC, you have some specific parts that you want to use or one able to run the 'standard' programs effectively?
Unless it's one of the first three reasons you'll probably find a prebuilt is the way to go (and even some of the prebuilt 'gaming PCs' are pretty good nowadays).
I think these are good questions. Personally I've always built my own PC, I don't know I save money by building it myself though, I do it more out of habit. The last time I did it I thought, why am I going through this when I could have just bought a pre-built.
I don't think it's as easy as people on reddit make it sound.
putting a entire PC together is not like building lego's like they say. you can damage things and put things in the wrong way.
some issues I heard newbies having on youtube were, plugging the power supply in first before connecting everything else, static electricity damaging stuff, forcing a plug because it looks similar only for it to be the wrong type of plug. not removing packaging material such as transprent plastic sticker, also be careful with this one on certain stuff such as SSD, removing the label actually means you get NO WARRANTY!
also I remember one guy saying he thought he could just pull the water pipes to get the cooling system off, he tried pulling very hard but they wouldn't move. later learned that it could be a disaster because the pipes could come off instead of the cooler and water would go eveyrwhere.
Youtube.