Suite a la demande populaire le contenue de ce guide est maintenant posté bien que en anglais et ‘work in progress’.
(Flowchart of how to troubleshoot)
(Psu: on; Ram: 1 stick; Gpu: Working)
Not posting -> Go down to one stick of ram which you know works, use a gpu you know works, if you have onboard graphic (graphic generated by you cpu, the video port on your motherboard is usually onboard graphic) you can use that.
Psu testing : connecting the two right pins with a paper clip.
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GPU : A Gpu is the graphic processor it process the graphic output of your pc. A graphic card serves as a complete unit responsible to display an image on your monitor. A graphic card is a bridge between a gpu, some gram (which is graphic ram) and a ton of controller, capacitor and other stuff… that’s the end of my current knowledge on Gpu (this is the good enough edition after all). All you need to know is: a Graphic card display the image on your screen, combining the power of a gpu (graphic processing unit) some GDDR Ram as well as other ‘stuff’. Renders frames you see.
CPU : A Cpu is a processor and does all the calculation done by your computer. It’s locating in a socket of variant shape and sizes. Some example of socket are lga 1155, lga 1151, lga 1150, flga1136. They are a feature of both the motherboard and the cpu. A cpu needs cooling to work properly for that purpose one must use a heatsink and thermal paste. The thermal paste is a compound assuring good thermal conduction between your CPU and the heatsink. The CPU generates the heat by doing some math, the heat is transmitted to a heatsink with the help of some thermal paste. Once trapped in the heatsink the heat is dissipated using a fan.
CPUs work differently depending on the brand. Here intel: Core and thread are really hard to discern from one another conceptually but are both important concept
A core : — to write– !!! RESEARCH NEEDED
A thread : –to write– !!! RESEARCH NEEDED
GHz : –to write– !!! RESEARCH NEEDED
AMD’s CPU : –to write– !!! RESEARCH NEEDED
the Core speed x the Core Count equals the performance. Not all the CPUs are born equal, new ones are more optimized with new features and new architectures but you can expect a similar result from similar Core count x Ghz (Ghz is core speed it spellz Giga hertz and represent vibration or something) for general purpose the new standard is 4 core with at least 2.5 Ghz core speed. Anything that is that or better than that should be good enough for most things, except if your utilisation is Cpu intensive (your doing a lot of math).
RAM : Ram is virtual Memory it works like regular memory (More on that in HDD/SSD) but disappears when you shut the computer, it’s memory used for process. If you use photoshop for example the more ram your Computer has the more move you can keep in memory (in the RAM). Ram is used by all computer process from just your os being open to Multiple Programs on top of you os (Operating System).
The more the better ?
No, all you need is enough for what you use. Some process require WAY more RAM then others, like rendering. Usually 8Gb is the standard for normal usage, if you multitask and use multiple programs at once or simply do some video editing whilst listening to the youtube, you’ll need 16 Gb if you’re a tab fiend (So you never close anything programs or tabs) or if you do a lot of multitasking you’ll need 32 Gb. Basically you’ll start experiencing discomfort due to Ram being full at aprox. 80% of your total Ram being in use. So if you have 16Gb your max usage will be 12.8 Gb. The max ram you can have is Motherboard specific so check that on your Motherboard manual online or elsewhere, for that you’ll need the motherboard serial number which you can find in system info on your computer.
So what about DDR3 vs DDR4 ?
DDR3 is current Good enough and the New shiny thing is DDR4, those are both RAM architecture and are Motherboard specific. Ram also has speed but this has been shown many times as having little impact on actual performance. Ram speed is in Mhz.
PSU : every Component in your pc Use power, the two parts which use most power is your CPU and more then anything your GPU, often you can find the Wattage rating you need on the GPU manufacturer Website under minimum power requirement. Psu Rating is also an important concept, it starts at 80+ and goes to bronze, silver, gold and platinum rating. Those rating guarantee 80% of the max power as continuous power. Which means you’ll never dip below 80% of the Max Value advertised. So if you have a power supply advertised as being 500W and it has a 80+ guarantee this means you’ll never dip below 400W. You want 80% of the max to be more than the minimum power requirement of you GPU (as written on the website)
A PSU has a lot of different cables, here is a breakdown of the most often seen option:
1 4(+4) pin for the CPU
1 or 2 6(+2) pin for the GPU
1 20(+4)pin for the motherboard
Molex connectors (which are 4 cables one yellow, black, black, red)
And Sata Cables (for ssd,hdd, and optical drive)
Molex Connectors have adapter which you can use to add fan outlet or even a 6 pin for your GPU
Troubleshooting trick: –to write– !!! RESEARCH NEEDED
Note: installation of psu cable is baby proof since the cables and port have a shape, just don’t force too much (max 40 Newton ^^).
HDD : a hard drive is what stores your data. It’s composed of a disc spinning and an arm that does the data reading.
Buyer’s beware: there’s only two types of people those who have a backup and those who wish they had one before losing everything.
Data stored in the HDD can often still be recovered after it’s death since those data are stored on the physical disc inside (This is beyond the scope of this good enough guide tho). HDD is slow memory it travels through a sata cable and is limited by it’s own spinning speed as well as the sata cable and port speed. (but mostly limited to the speed of the disc spinning)
SSD : An ssd acts like an HDD in your pc, yet it’s 20 times facter. It doesn’t rely on a spinning disc and if a SSD breaks you lose the data since it was only stored on memory ship (opposed to a spinning disc in the case of an hard drive). SSD cost a lot more by GB of storage. SSD is fast Memory only limited to the sata cable and port speed
Fast memory is used for OS and programs.
Slow memory is used for documents and file which aren’t in use everyday.
Optical drive: Optical Drives permit the use of CD and DVD sometimes blueray and can usually also burn copies.
Motherboard : A motherboard Act like a bridge between the different parts of a computer, it’s what does the communication between everything. The motherboard is the source of most failure and restrictions. Also the cause of most incompatibility. Modern Motherboard are composed of DDR(3 or 4) slot a CPU socket, Pci-e Slots, Pci-e minislot(e stands for express), PCI slot, Connector pins and fan headers.
The DDR slot is for the Ram it is motherboard specific
The CPU socket is for the CPU it is motherboard specific
Pci-e slots are for Graphic card mainly, as well as extension cards which serves the purpose of adding functionality to the Motherboard like Wifi capability, Audio Card or even USB 3.0 ports.
PCI is for old expansion Cards .
Sata ports are for connecting HDD, SSD and optical drives
All the pins are for your case option: Power on button, Reset Button, speaker, usb 2.0 and 3.0 port as well as any other option on your board.
The fan headers are for adding fans, 3 pins doesn’t allow for fan control and 4 pins does. The CPU fan must always be connected to the fan header called CPU_fan.
Case : the computer case just hold the parts and add some feature. One could have a computer running without a case.
Peripherals : Mouse, Keyboard, Monitor, Headset are called peripherals and aren’t part of the computer as itself but are used to interface with it.
Ok that’s all good it’s all plugged but it’s not showing an image now what?
Computer troubleshooting is a many faceted problem, anything could be the cause of a Computer problem any of it’s currently connected parts can cause the problem.
What does Post means ?
Post is simply the Bios image it’s anything before you enter the OS if it shows you the motherboard post your on a very good path to your computer working !
The Barebone Approach to troubleshooting:
Troubleshooting is the process by which we figure out exactly what is creating the problem. Since we’re out of trouble once the computer post for the most part let’s figure out a protocol for when it doesn’t post. So first we need to get the computer out of it’s case, you see the case can cause interference with the motherboard taking the computer out is the only way to rule that out it also makes the rest of the troubleshooting process easier. That’s also the reason why a computer should first be built outside of it’s case to insure it post first. Ok so now that it is done, we should have those parts left: CPU,GPU heatsink, CPU fan, Power Supply, RAM, HDD, SSD, Optical drive and any extension card. Let’s remove every part not needed for the computer to post, so HDD,SSD, extension card, Optical drive, all fans but the CPU_fan and all the Ram sticks but one. We now are left with the minimum parts required for a computer to post, Motherboard, CPU, CPU cooling, GPU, PSU, and of stick of RAM. if you’re at this point in the process and your computer is still not posting that means one of those component is causing your problem. If the computer doesn’t boot at all, the fan doesn’t spin nor anything it’s probably the PSU so let’s test that, you’ll need a paper clip in conductive metal. Be sure the psu switch is off. Let’s disconnect the 20(+4) pins cable.
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This is a very bad diagram of it, connect the pin 3-4 using the paperclip, the top row should be the one with the plastic clip used to secure the cable to the motherboard 24 pin power port. Just plug the power supply and turn it on in should start spinning on it’s own and provide power to everything it’s plugged to, if the fan spins it work ! if not dead power supply. Ok so if you’re still here the psu is not the problem. Left is: CPU, CPU cooler, GPU, RAM, Motherboard. The easiest to rule out now is the cpu cooler, reinstall it with minimum pressure it’s rarely the problem but we need to rule that out also make sure the fan is connected to the CPU_fan header since some Motherboard can’t boot if the CPU_ fan header isn’t connected. Left are: CPU, GPU, Ram and Motherboard. If you got another working computer go fetch a GPU and RAM which you know for sure works that will eliminate all but the motherboard and CPU, if this option isn’t available to you. You can try cleaning the RAM/GPU connectors (the gold pins) with some butane or isopropyl alcohol any thinner works and yes this does really work if it’s still not posting then you’re out of options game over as they say. You’ll not get this computer running today that’s for sure you’ll need to go get some cheap RAM and Graphic card which you know works for sure to get to the Next step. Ram should be kept at one stick for the troubleshooting process and you should try every stick you get in every port since those could cause your issue. if all is done and the computer is still not working you got only two parts left, CPU and Motherboard and there is no way of telling which is causing the problem at this point. CPU are usually tough so the problem should be the motherboard but there’s no way to be sure. if you got another Motherboard of the same socket you can rule out the cpu and if you got a cpu of the same socket you could rule out the Motherboard or confirm that it’s what broke. The Motherboard is probably the most fragile part in your computer. If you’re at that step you can assume it’s the Motherboard and use the warranty to get a new one.
The chance of a dead CPU is so slim. I’ve never seen one. Hopefully you can figure out what’s causing the problem and finally see that oh so sweet post screen, if it post you’re out of the trouble … for the most part 🙂 .
Some Options you can add on a standard computer are:
Wifi (usb 2.0/3.0,pci/pcie/pcie mini/m.2)
Bluetooth (usb 2.0/3.0,pci/pcie/pcie mini/m.2)
SSD (sata,usb 2.0/3.0,pci/pcie/pcie mini/m.2)
USB (usb 2.0/3.0,pci/pcie/pcie mini/m.2)
SoundCard (usb 2.0/3.0,pci/pcie/pcie mini)
if it works for what you’re doing it’s good enough
Building a pc with a purpose to build a pc you first need to figure out the purpose. Different purpose require totally different kind of hardware there’s a ton of different need someone could have for one:
- Non-gamer browsing social media and Youtube
- Light gamer with some multitasking
- Heavy gamer heavy multitasking
- video editing and data computing
- 4-8Gb Ram Basic GPU (50$)
2-4 core
- 8Gb Ram Basic Gaming GPU (100$)
light 4 core
- 16-32Gb Ram Good GPU (300$)
heavy 4 core
- 16-32 GB Ram Rendering GPU (a lot)
if you need data computing capability the more processors the better (like multiple processors) if you’re editing get a good i7 you should be fine for the most part
Processor, computes, does the computation
Ram, stores data for use by program
Memory, stores data for later use
GPU, display an image to the monitor it calculates every pixels of every frame
Motherboard, serves as a bridge between the parts and allow communication
Case, protect the whole in a box, add accessories, features and style
SDD, like normal memory but faster, also more expensive
PSU, provides the right power, unless you really know what you’re doing don’t buy anything else than a minimum 80+ rating
Things you can get away with (non-exhaustive)
touching a component with your fingers
putting not enough thermal paste
plugging cable in the wrong holes (impossible for the most part)
Things you cannot get away with (non-exhaustive)
using more than 40 Newton of force when putting a cable backwards in an hard drive whilst the computer is on
Just don’t get cocky