## 7 Choices I Regret More Than a 200 FPS Drop: My XDA PC Build Blunders
Remember that feeling? Your first PC build. The heady mix of excitement, anticipation, and a healthy dose of “I’m gonna be a PC master race god!” Yeah, I was there. But let me tell you, my first foray into the world of custom hardware wasn’t all glorious RGB and buttery-smooth frame rates. My XDA build was a monument to rookie mistakes, a symphony of bad decisions that still haunt me to this day.
Mistakes that Haunt Me
As someone who considers themselves a seasoned PC builder, I’m the first to admit that I’ve made my fair share of mistakes, both in parts selection and in the building process. I’m not afraid to admit that I harbor regrets from past builds, but these 7 still manage to keep me up at night.
Cable Management Fail
The importance of cable management cannot be overstated. When I was building my first PC, I threw everything together hastily without much regard for managing the cables, and I would come to regret it. Future upgrades would take so much longer to do because of my lack of patience when I first put everything together, and I ended up having to untangle a rat’s nest anyway.
Effective cable management is crucial for future upgrades and can save you a lot of time and frustration in the long run. Here are some tips for effective cable management:
- Plan your cable management before you start building
- Use cable ties and zip ties to keep cables organized
- Route cables behind the motherboard tray or through cable management channels
- Label your cables to make it easier to identify them
RGB RAM Regret
I didn’t realize how little I would care about RGB RAM. When RGB lights were first put on RAM, I paid that premium, and I came to regret it heavily later. Now, the difference between RGB and non-RGB RAM comes to a few bucks, but I’ll gladly opt for the boring RAM that’ll be covered by my CPU heatsink anyway.
The unnecessary cost of RGB RAM is a hard lesson to learn. Prioritizing function over form is crucial when building a PC. While RGB RAM may look cool, it’s not worth the extra cost when you can get the same performance from non-RGB RAM.
The Cost of Brand Loyalty
Brand loyalty can be a costly mistake when building a PC. I learned this the hard way when I opted for an Intel CPU over an AMD one.
Intel vs AMD: A Lesson in Upgradability
Intel fans can put away their pitchforks; when I built my last PC, the Core i7-10700K that I chose to be the heart of my gaming build was the best CPU available at the time. It hardly beat its little brother in the 10600k and was at a premium price compared to its AMD counterpart, and despite that, I still chose it without doing much research beyond looking at what chip was at the top of gaming benchmark charts.
The limitations of Intel CPUs for upgradability are a major consideration when building a PC. While Intel CPUs may offer better performance, they often come at a premium price and may not offer the same level of upgradability as AMD CPUs.
In contrast, AMD CPUs offer a more affordable option with better upgradability. Had I gone with a 3900X or other AM4 chip, I could’ve upgraded in-socket to a 5800X3D without having to spend a penny more on RAM or motherboard.
The Importance of Research
The dangers of relying on brand power and benchmark charts are real. I learned this the hard way when I opted for an Intel CPU without doing much research beyond looking at what chip was at the top of gaming benchmark charts.
The value of thorough research in PC building decisions cannot be overstated. It’s crucial to do your research and consider all options before making a decision. This can save you a lot of money and frustration in the long run.
Conclusion
So there you have it, seven decisions from my first PC build that still make me cringe. From the jury-rigged cable management to the overheating CPU, they’re a testament to the steep learning curve that comes with venturing into the world of PC gaming. Each of these blunders, though, holds a valuable lesson. They remind us that building a PC isn’t just about assembling parts; it’s about understanding their interconnectedness, making informed choices, and embracing the iterative process of improvement.
Looking back, these mistakes weren’t just technical oversights; they were stepping stones on my journey to becoming a more knowledgeable and confident PC enthusiast. They taught me the importance of research, planning, and the joy of troubleshooting. While the ghost of my first build might still haunt me with its clunkiness and occasional meltdowns, it ultimately paved the way for the sleek, powerful machines we enjoy today. Remember, every build, even the ones riddled with “oops” moments, is a chance to learn, grow, and ultimately, level up.
