ZisaLog: Beginner’s Guide to Building a Custom PC 
When building a custom PC, there are several essential tools, as well as some optional tools that can make the process much easier and more efficient.
Basically, a Phillips screwdriver, a precision screwdriver, and scissors are enough to assemble a PC.
In addition to these, having a longer Phillips screwdriver, anti-static items, and a small parts case can help make the work more efficient.
This article explains the necessary tools and recommended optional tools for those who are about to start building a custom PC.
- Phillips screwdriver, precision screwdriver, and scissors are essential for building a custom PC
- A Phillips screwdriver with a magnetic tip and non-slip grip is convenient
- A precision screwdriver is needed for installing small screws like those on M.2 SSDs
- Scissors are used for opening parts and cutting cable ties
- Other useful tools include cable ties, a longer Phillips screwdriver, a small parts case, a hex driver, a magnetic pick-up tool, a light, and anti-static equipment
Select PC parts and online stores to instantly generate an estimate, check compatibility, and calculate power requirements. You can save up to five different builds, making it easy to try out multiple configurations.
≫ Tool：PC Parts Estimation & Compatibility Check Tool
Table of Contents
Essential Tools for Building a Custom PC
The tools needed to build a custom PC are as follows:
- Phillips screwdriver
- Precision screwdriver
- Scissors
Here is an explanation of why these tools are necessary and how to choose them.
Phillips Screwdriver
The Phillips screwdriver is indispensable when building a custom PC and is the tool used most often.
It is essential for fastening screws to secure PC parts such as the motherboard, power supply unit, and case.
Main PC parts that require screwing:
- Case cover
- CPU cooler
- Motherboard
- Storage (HDD/SSD)
- Power supply unit
- Optical drive
- Expansion cards such as graphics cards
Depending on the PC case, some parts may have a tool-less design, allowing assembly without a screwdriver.
However, even with a tool-less design, only some parts are tool-free, so a screwdriver is still needed.
Screwdrivers have standards that indicate the size of the tip.
There are sizes like 00, 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4, but the most commonly used Phillips screwdriver for custom PCs is size 1.
Other sizes might fit, but the VESSEL Ball Grip Screwdriver I use is highly recommended.
Choosing a non-slip grip or a screwdriver with a magnetic tip to hold screws will make the work much easier.
VESSEL Ball Grip Screwdriver
VESSEL Precision Screwdriver TD-51 +0 (introduced next)
Especially, a screwdriver with a magnetic tip like the VESSEL Ball Grip Screwdriver is essential.
When building a custom PC, screwing in tight spaces or holding other parts while screwing is often necessary.
For example, the power supply unit sometimes needs to be held up slightly while screwing, and for some cases, the side panel must be supported when removing screws so the cover does not fall.
If the screwdriver does not have a magnetic tip, both hands are needed to hold the screw at the tip, making it difficult to support other parts during work.
Also, installing the motherboard or storage is done inside the PC case, often in deep, narrow spaces.
In such cases, there is not enough space to put a hand in to hold the screw, so working with the screw attached to the magnetic tip is much easier.
Ken
When building a custom PC, there are many opportunities to use screws, and the work can take a long time, so choosing a shape that fits the hand will help reduce fatigue.
As with the screwdrivers introduced, rubber handles that do not slip or grip screwdrivers with a bulged shape that fit the hand are recommended.
Precision Screwdriver
A precision screwdriver is needed for installing small screws, such as those on M.2 SSDs.
M.2 SSDs use even smaller screws than other storage devices used in custom PCs.
Therefore, if the storage configuration only includes SATA SSDs or HDDs, a precision screwdriver is not needed, but since M.2 SSDs are now mainstream, it is usually necessary.
Some higher-end motherboards have mechanisms that secure M.2 SSDs without screws.
Scissors
Scissors are needed for opening PC parts boxes and organizing cables.
They are essential for opening boxes containing parts or cutting seals.
Also, when using cable ties to organize internal wiring, scissors are needed to cut off the excess.
Optional Tools That Are Convenient for Building a Custom PC
The following tools are not essential but can make building a custom PC much easier:
- Cable ties
- Longer Phillips screwdriver
- Small parts case
- Hex driver
- Magnetic pick-up tool
- Light
- Anti-static mat or gloves
Here is an explanation of how to use these tools.
Cable Ties
Cable ties are used to bundle multiple cables together to keep the inside neat and prevent airflow obstruction.
By fixing the PC case frame together with multiple cables using cable ties, cables can be prevented from dangling.
Some PC cases come with cable ties, so they are introduced here as a convenient tool.
If not included, they can be purchased later.
Especially if the side panel is made of tempered glass or acrylic and is transparent, cable management is important since the inside is visible.
Even if the inside is visible, it does not look cool if the cables are messy…
Also, if cables are scattered, it not only looks bad but can also block airflow, reducing cooling efficiency and making future maintenance harder.
When cleaning or adding parts, having organized cables makes work easier.
If cables are not bundled, even if they are moved out of the way during work, they quickly return, making work more difficult.
Ken
Longer Phillips Screwdriver
A longer Phillips screwdriver is used to fasten screws in narrow, deep places inside the PC case.
The regular Phillips screwdriver introduced first is 10cm long (excluding the grip), but this one is 20cm, twice as long.
Usually, most screws inside the PC case can be fastened with a regular screwdriver.
However, when screws need to be fastened at the top of the motherboard, tall air CPU coolers or water cooling radiators can get in the way, and the regular screwdriver may not reach.
If using a tall aftermarket CPU cooler, the cooler can get in the way, making it difficult to fasten screws with a regular screwdriver.
There is a screw at the upper left to secure the motherboard.
Comparing a regular Phillips screwdriver and a longer one looks like this:
Long Phillips screwdriver
Regular Phillips screwdriver
Although the CPU cooler is relatively large, there is still some space.
However, if an even larger cooler is installed, the grip may get in the way, and even without a grip, it may be hard to turn the screw.
The location of the screw holes for the motherboard is standardized, but depending on the shape of the CPU cooler or case, the upper left screw may be hard to reach.
Also, if a water cooling radiator is installed, or in a more compact microATX case, the space can be even tighter.
Depending on the parts, a long screwdriver may not always be needed, but having one can make the process smoother.
Some may think, “If I have a long screwdriver, I don’t need a regular one,” but long screwdrivers can be harder to handle, so it’s tough to use only a long screwdriver for all screws.
If needed, it is okay to buy one after starting assembly.
Small Parts Case
When building a custom PC, many small items such as screws and motherboard spacers are used, so a small parts case prevents losing them during work.
During assembly, the desk will be cluttered with PC parts, manuals, screws, cables, bags, and trash.
The floor may also be messy with boxes and bags.
In such an environment, screws can easily get lost, so having a small parts case helps prevent this.
Also, searching for screws every time can waste a minute or two, so having a case makes work smoother.
Any container can be used, so something at home can be repurposed.
If you want to store screws and small parts after assembly, a case with a lid and adjustable dividers is recommended.
A small parts case can change work efficiency and stress, so it is good to have one nearby when building a custom PC.
Hex Driver
A hex driver is useful for installing spacers (standoffs) that secure the motherboard to the PC case.
Spacers are mainly used at screw joints and are installed between two parts to maintain a certain distance between them.
They keep the right distance between the motherboard and the PC case, preventing electronic parts from touching the case directly.
Since these spacers are hexagonal, a hex driver is needed, but they often come pre-installed in the PC case, and can sometimes be installed by hand, so a hex driver is not essential.
Magnetic Pick-up Tool
A magnetic pick-up tool has a magnetic tip and is useful for retrieving metal objects dropped in tight spaces.
Especially when a screw is dropped in a narrow space inside the PC case, it can be easily picked up even if fingers cannot reach.
It is common to drop screws or have them slip out of your hand, so this is a convenient tool.
In custom PC building, there are many tight spaces, so it is usually impossible to retrieve screws by hand.
That said, it is not absolutely necessary, as there are other ways to retrieve dropped screws.
For example, tilting, turning upside down, or shaking the PC case can help retrieve screws, but the case and parts are heavy, and moving screws around can risk damaging the circuit board.
Also, if not careful, screws can end up in hard-to-reach places like the power supply or graphics card.
I personally retrieve screws this way without a magnetic tool and have never had any damage, so it is not essential.
Usually, the location where the screw was dropped is known, so tilting the case to avoid the power supply or other components can prevent problems.
However, to reduce stress and make assembly smoother, having a magnetic pick-up tool may be helpful.
Light
A light is used for working in tight spaces inside the PC case.
Most areas are bright enough with room lighting, but sometimes deep areas are dark, so a light is useful for checking those spots.
If a screw is dropped, a bright light can help find it quickly.
However, a smartphone light is usually sufficient, so it is not an essential tool.
If buying one, a light that can be fixed in place and adjusted in angle is convenient so your hands are free when screwing.
Working in a bright environment improves efficiency and makes assembly smoother.
Anti-static Mat or Gloves
Since precision equipment is handled, static electricity is a major enemy, and anti-static measures must be taken before starting work.
If static electricity discharges when touching PC parts, the following risks exist:
- Immediate damage that directly destroys parts (catastrophic damage)
- Latent damage that gradually reduces performance over time
Especially with latent damage, the part may appear to work normally at first, making it hard to identify the cause of failure.
Anti-static measures are necessary, but touching a metal doorknob or the PC case before assembly is enough, so special tools are not essential.
Ken
Anti-static Mat
An anti-static mat allows static electricity to be discharged by touching the mat.
However, this product has a bit of an odor…
Anti-static Gloves
Anti-static gloves are gloves that prevent static electricity, worn during assembly.
However, anti-static gloves have the following disadvantages:
- Wearing gloves reduces fingertip sensitivity.
- Even with anti-slip, they can be more slippery than bare hands.
- When installing the CPU, the gloves can get caught or fibers can stick to the pins.
While static risk may be reduced, these disadvantages can increase other risks.
For this reason, I stopped using them and do not actively recommend them.
These disadvantages are mentioned for those considering anti-static gloves.
Summary: It’s Okay to Buy Tools When Needed, But Preparing in Advance Makes Things Smoother!
When building a custom PC, several tools are needed, mainly the Phillips screwdriver.
Some tools are essential for assembly, while others are not required but make the process more convenient.
Let’s summarize the tools again.
Essential tools for building a custom PC:
- Phillips screwdriver
- Precision screwdriver
- Scissors
Optional tools that make building a custom PC more convenient:
- Cable ties
- Longer Phillips screwdriver
- Small parts case
- Hex driver
- Magnetic pick-up tool
- Light
- Anti-static mat or gloves
Preparing these tools in advance will make assembly work go smoothly.
Essential tools should be purchased beforehand, but optional tools can be bought later if needed, even if it takes some time for them to arrive.
Select PC parts and online stores to instantly generate an estimate, check compatibility, and calculate power requirements. You can save up to five different builds, making it easy to try out multiple configurations.
≫ Tool：PC Parts Estimation & Compatibility Check Tool
