Computer Toolkit: Necessary? Useful?

beaker

The ball is in, the game is on.

I've just ordered all the parts for my first PC build.

I assume it is worth getting an anti-static wristband for €5.

But is it worth getting this toolkit for €15? Are special tools needed? Would they come in handy?

(There's also an anti-static computer mat for €16.50. I'm hoping I don't need this as well as the wristband?)

snappieT

I have this toolkit. It helps, but it isn't necessary. I find one of the tools esp. useful for changing the jumper settings on drives.

I would advise you get the anti-static mat. It becomes very useful as a clean workspace, and since it is grounded, you can safely put your mobo directly onto it. Your wristband can connect into it, and it to the ground if necessary, you don't need both directly grounded.

I would go for the mat over the band tbh

Creamy Goodness

Them kits do come in hand buy I don't think you really need one. When I was building my PC i had one screwdriver (flathead) but most of the screws were philips head screws but I got along fine.

I also think them wrist straps are a waste of time, just make sure you touch an unpainted piece of metal ie. your case, and you'll be fine I suppose if you want extra security then wrist straps are okay, but I wouldn't buy the wrist strap and the mat.

Jammer

the claw thing in the kit is handy for retrieving those elusive screws that fall into the case and find the worst possible place to hide.

All I use when building is a philips screwdriver and Artic Silver 5

KdjaCL

Small screwdriver and touch the metal frame (not the outside of the case) to destatic yourself, if you have kids dont touch them whilst building, lil fekkin balls of electricity.

Thats all you need really, just keep touching the casing every time you tcouh something other than the parts.

kdjac

Chalk

the only tool you need on modern pcs is a small flathead scredriver.
everthing else just clips or slots in.

i usually leave my pc plugged in while i work on it,
just make sure you press the power off at the socket,
that way it stays grounded all the time

angelofdeath

worth getting, all i ever use though is a good philips screwdriver, a scissors and some cable ties, i never bothered with the anti static wristband, just make sure im grounded off a radiator or something

astec123

You only need the following for a PC build/repair/upgrade, anything else is a waste of money
-Flat head screwdriver
-Tweezers (for jumpers)
-patience
All the rest isnt important.

beaker

Thanks for all the input, guys.

I'm now tempted by the 'buy nothin', but be careful' approach.

Jammer mentioned Arctic Silver 5. I didn't order any.

I'm going with stock cooling for the moment (I'll figure out overclocking etc. when I'm up and running well - and maybe get better cooling) so will I be ok for the moment with whatever thermal pad/yoke comes with the retail 3200 Venice?

angelofdeath

you'll be fine for the moment but you should really use good thermal paste like as said the arctic silver 5, a friend of mine made the mistake of using the pre-applied crap that comes with the amd64 and two months later it was baked to the heatsink and he bent a few pins on the chip trying to get it out of the socket

Mac daddy

angelofdeath wrote:

you'll be fine for the moment but you should really use good thermal paste like as said the arctic silver 5, a friend of mine made the mistake of using the pre-applied crap that comes with the amd64 and two months later it was baked to the heatsink and he bent a few pins on the chip trying to get it out of the socket

Ive done a upgrade before same problem with the intel stock heatsink -

Lifted up the arm to the release the cpu from the zif sockett - and the bloody cpu was stuck to the heatsink bent 8 pins when removed it.
took me 15 minutes with a teezers to get them straight again.another 10 to clean the cpu.

If possible buy some as5 you can't go wrong with it.

beaker

Is there anywhere I can get arctic silver 5 cheap in Dublin?

(I presume it would not be worth getting it delivered on its own from Komplett or Jes.)

Jammer

i know hitide have it, but dunno if they're in dublin.

IT Direct in city centre has Antec Formula 5, which is the same kinda stuff, i got similar temps compared to AS5.

CyberGhost

in reality, a good screwdriver + antistatic wriststrap = all you need

and read this thread
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=195691

JackKelly

how exactly does an antistatic wristband work?

CyberGhost

it sends the static electricity "current?" you have into the ground, you have to connect it to something grounded, like heating for example, but make sure to strip it off any paint to make sure metals contact each other, and the other end to you wrap around your hand, make sure you buy a good wrist strap, dell has awesome wrist straps for their builders, they wouldn't sell one to me though

I think that's it, if I made a mistake someone correct me.

JackKelly

CyberGhost wrote:

it sends the static electricity "current?" you have into the ground, you have to connect it to something grounded, like heating for example, but make sure to strip it off any paint to make sure metals contact each other, and the other end to you wrap around your hand, make sure you buy a good wrist strap, dell has awesome wrist straps for their builders, they wouldn't sell one to me though

I think that's it, if I made a mistake someone correct me.

lol.no that makes sense. I was wondering how a wristband could keep you grounded. Didn't realise you had to attach it to something.