Essential tools for PC building

Introduction

Building your own PC is an exciting endeavor, and while the core components are crucial, the right tools are equally important for a smooth assembly process. Having a well-equipped toolkit can transform the experience from potentially frustrating to efficient and enjoyable. This feature highlights ten essential items that every PC builder should consider having on hand, ranging from fundamental necessities to helpful gadgets that can tackle unexpected challenges. Investing in these affordable tools is about more than just convenience; it's about minimizing risks, preventing headaches, and ultimately ensuring a successful PC building journey.

III TRIMESTER

By: Ria Sharma and Nur Issa

Grade: 11 - A

Date: 06/05/2025

Teacher: Iris Nelson

Subject: Technology

Essential tools for PC building

Adding an M.2 SSD to your build or laptop? You’ll need a Phillips #1 screwdriver, as a Phillips #2 will be too large for the screw drive (the indentations on the screw head used to turn the screw). Since M.2 SSD mounting screws are delicate, you won’t need much torque to get them in or out and thus a slender or small screwdriver works fine. You should get a magnetized one though, as screws that take a Phillips #1 tend to be small and easy to lose track of.

Screwdriver (Phillips #2)

Nearly all screws in a computer case require this cross-head screwdriver. Any Phillips #2 screwdriver will do—be it the plain, trusty Craftsman in your toolbox, the fancier ratcheting type with swappable bits, or kits with a full array of bits that include a PH2 head.

Screwdriver (Phillips #1)

In conclusion, a successful PC build hinges on more than just the parts; the tools you use play a vital role. This overview of ten must-have items underscores the importance of being prepared with the right instruments, from basic screwdrivers to specialized tools for navigating tricky situations. These affordable additions can save you time, prevent potential damage, and contribute to a more seamless and rewarding PC building experience. Equipping yourself with these essentials means you'll be better prepared to handle almost any challenge that arises during the assembly of your custom machine.

Conclusion

Watch this video for a visual demonstration of some of the must-have tools we've discussed, plus a couple of extra handy gadgets that are just as valuable for a successful PC build.

A vise grip can help with screw extraction when a screw head is stripped. You can extract the screw from your build by using a vise grip if a hemostat doesn’t generate enough torque. Clamp the jaws of these locking pliers around the screw head, then start turning.

Vise grip

Small rubber bands can protect paint from the rough teeth on pliers and hemostats, serve as a poor person’s substite for Velcro ties, and add extra grip in tight situations (like if you need more traction on a slightly stripped screw head). In a pinch, a couple of these can make it easier to slide side panels off of cases too, if you have slippery hands. (Upgrade version for dealing with side panels: a rubber jar opener, which is easier for big hands to hold in place.)

Rubber bands

A slotted screwdriver can help you push in stubborn plastic clips.You can’t always predict when a case sports a front panel held in place by stubborn plastic clips—much less ones located in hard-to-reach places. A flathead screwdriver can help you push them in to release. A standard driver with a longer neck is ideal, since it will fit into tight spots more easily. For size, a 1/4- or 3/8-inch head and an 8-inch neck should work.

Flathead screwdriver

When you’re faced with a hard-to-reach standoff trapped under a motherboard, a hemostat can help you out of that jam. These locking forceps are slender and needle-nosed—ideal for getting under the motherboard when there’s limited room. You can sometimes even clamp onto the standoff’s screw threads poking out the back of the motherboard tray.

Hemostat

Every now and then, the screw holding your motherboard in place won’t come loose. Instead, the standoff underneath the mobo does, resulting in the screw and standoff spinning around as an unremovable unit. This is a more common occurance during repairs or upgrades, but it can also happen during a build when undoing a screwup. A crescent wrench can fill a dual role in your toolbox: Use it to tighten standoffs prior to motherboard installation, or to help with freeing one spinning loose under a mobo.

Adjustable wrench

Normal lighting can create shadows that reduce what you can see while working in a case, especially if it’s a dark chassis. A good flashlight makes clear where stray screws rolled, the labels on front panel pins, and where that one last screw hole on the mobo is.

If not tightened down sufficiently, motherboard standoffs can come loose as you try to loosen the screws holding the mainboard in place. The screw remains tight within the standoff, however—leaving you in purgatory until you can keep the standoff still as you remove the screw. But if you own a hex nut driver in the right size, you can avoid that time and irritation. Before you mount the motherboard, slip it over the standoffs and ensure each one is firmly attached to the case. No need to overtighten, either; just a bit past when the standoff first hits the metal of the case. Too much and you risk stripping the screw threads on the standoffs.

You should put screws in some kind of container as you work—a shallow dish or bowl, a tray, even a cup. (Using more than one is even better, as you can keep track of different screw types more easily.) Placing everything loose onto a table usually results in missing screws, while clothing pockets run the risk of screws becoming lost as you move around.

Hex nut driver

Flashlight or headlamp

Screw tray