Tools for PC Assembly

Standard Screw Driver Set

A suitable standard screwdriver set should include between 10 and 20 screwdrivers in different sizes and styles. Be sure to include flathead and Phillips head screwdrivers as well as any specialty screwdrivers needed for computer equipment. Torx and hex screwdrivers are not typically required for PC assembly. 

Jewelry Screwdriver Set

A jewelry screwdriver set is similar to a standard set, but the screwdrivers are much smaller. These jeweler screwdrivers are intended for use with very small screws and offer more precision than standard screwdrivers. They are especially useful when working on the inner elements of a personal computer.

Pliers Set

A standard set of pliers should include cutters, standard pliers and needle nose pliers. It may also be useful to keep pliers in different sizes on hand to tackle different types of projects.

Utility Scissors and Knife

Utility scissors and utility knives are useful and should always be kept on hand. Use utility scissors to open sealed packages and boxes of new equipment. Use box cutters or utility knives to break seals on packages and to open blister packaging.

Needle-Nosed Pliers

Very small needle-nosed pliers are very handy for removing and inserting jumpers on motherboards and hard drives. (A pair of tweezers or surgical forceps also works well for this purpose.)

Cable Ties

Plastic cable ties are useful for neatly bundling wires and cables away from fans and other components inside the computer. If you can't find them, electrical tape is an acceptable substitute.

Anti-Static Wrist Wrap

This is a little elastic strap connected to a wire with an alligator clip on the other end. The alligator clip is attached to a metal part of the computer chassis, and the elastic band slipped around your wrist. Better-quality anti-static kits also include a rubberized mat that connects to the wire and is placed under the computer being worked on. This provides extra static protection, and also protects your tabletop from scratches.

Heat Sink Compound
This is usually included with processor fans, but may be purchased separately. It is applied neatly to the area where the processor contacts the heat sink to improve cooling efficiency. (Some heat sinks have the compound "built-in" behind a little peel-off label.)

Canned Air or Canless Air
Compressed air is used to blow dust out of the nooks and crannies of your computer. Never blow into a computer with your lips to remove dust. Your breath contains too much moisture (and maybe other things depending on what you ate for dinner).






Pill Bottle

You'll need a pill bottle or other small container to hold the various screws, jumpers, and other small parts used to assemble and configure a homebuilt computer.