commit 0faab82180e64133bf5fc2a696c8782f9cae6b09
parent 24bb4465c0989d1f716cf62aaa33302516c726f3
Author: Kévin Le Gouguec <kevin.legouguec@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 24 Apr 2021 12:19:55 +0200
Start ranting about PC assembly
Diffstat:
1 file changed, 29 insertions(+), 0 deletions(-)
diff --git a/guides/setups/hardware.org b/guides/setups/hardware.org
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+* Where to buy
Some untested resources to buy laptops or desktops:
- https://starlabs.systems
@@ -5,3 +6,31 @@ Some untested resources to buy laptops or desktops:
FSF's [[https://h-node.org/][h-node]] rates hardware according to its compatibility with free
software.
+* LDLC PC Zenifier-SSD
+** assembly woes
+Lots of impedance mismatches between "documentation" and actual
+hardware:
+- CPU cooler (fan) has spring screws; diagrams show retention clips.
+ Had to dig into the [[https://www.amd.com/en/support/kb/faq/cpu-7][AMD knowledge base]] to find that some
+ motherboards come with "speculative" clips, which must be unscrewed
+ and removed in order to install the spring-screw cooler.
+- Diagrams say to add thermal paste, but the fan already comes with a
+ pre-applied layer.
+- Documentation shows RAM clips for both ends of the sticks; the
+ motherboard seems to only have clips for one end.
+- =SYS_FAN1= header has 4 pins; front fan plug has 3 holes. The
+ Internet[[https://old.reddit.com/r/buildapc/comments/4139k8/3_pin_sys_fan2_vs_4_pin_sys_fan1/][[1]]][[https://forums.tomshardware.com/threads/sys_fan1-and-sys_fan2.3195778/][[2]]] says it's fine.
+- Motherboard has [[https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/B550M-A-PRO/Specification]["8 mounting holes"]] but covers only 6 of the case's
+ standoffs; none of the diagrams in the case's manual match the
+ format of the motherboard.
+
+For novices, some steps range from "not very reassuring" to "downright
+hostile":
+- The amount of force needed to connect the CPU fan's first two
+ diagonal screws is terrifying.
+- The fan's case is asymmetric: one side has a small bump featuring
+ the maker's brand. If one does not attention when mounting the fan,
+ there is a 50% chance that this bump will get in the way of a RAM
+ stick.
+- No instruction on [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAWNzd-gc3Q&t=74s][how to force that I/O shield in]].
+- No instruction on how to snap the motherboard into the I/O shield.
