Desktop or laptop, you don't want to be unprepared when you need to fix or upgrade something.
I built my first PC nearly 20 years ago. That first build was an absolute disaster, but I learned a lot along the way, such as which tools to always have on hand when I open up my PC case. Bonus: all of these are $15 or less.
A magnetic screwdriver and parts tray
I'm never using a regular screwdriver again
Monica J. White / How-To Geek
I can't think of many things that frustrate me more than losing a tiny screw inside the case. Even a big chassis has lots of little nooks and crannies once it's filled with components, and if something goes missing, good luck finding it, especially if it falls into the PSU shroud.
Getting a magnetic screwdriver prevents most of that annoying stuff from happening.
For your ideal screwdriver, aim for one that has a magnetic tip or bit holder, a non-slip handle, and a bunch of different bits. You definitely need a Phillips #2 tip as your go-to, plus a smaller Phillips #1 or even #0, and a flathead for the odd bracket or accessory.
I also love my (not pictured) anti-static parts tray. I've lost way too many screws before I decided to get one.
Anti-static wrist strap or mat
It's not the only way, but it's my favorite way
Ismar Hrnjicevic / How-To Geek
The last thing you want is to zap your motherboard with static electricity. You can often get away with touching the metal chassis of your case (provided your PSU is plugged in and grounded), but I prefer not to leave it to chance. That's why I own an anti-static wrist strap or mat.
They don't cost much, and they help keep your expensive GPU , RAM, CPU, and motherboard safe while handling them. The strap keeps you grounded without you having to think about it and lets you focus on your build.
It's a low-cost precaution, and you can often buy it as a set. I also like to keep an anti-static bag on hand if I ever remove the GPU and need to store it for a moment.
Cable ties
Because good cable management shouldn't be optional
Monica J. White / How-To Geek
Cable ties are the perfect solution to a messy PC build (or desk).
Good cable management is not just about PC aesthetics . While the real impact on airflow is sometimes debated, good cable management makes it easier to avoid dust buildup. Having too much dust inside the PC can damage it without you even knowing , so it's best avoided. Besides, not having all those cables in the way makes both maintenance and upgrading a lot easier.
I recommend buying reusable Velcro cable ties instead of one-time-use plastic zip ties, as they're easier to adjust and remove if needed.
Backup cables, cable splitters, and screws
I might be a little extra, but they do come in handy sometimes
Monica J. White / How-To Geek
Other than losing screws in the case, my second most hated thing in PC building is not having the exact thing you need on hand. It's the same feeling as when you build a piece of furniture and realize the set is missing a few important bolts or screws.
As a result of this, I keep basically all the extra cables, screws, splitters, and extensions I've picked out over the years.
Cables come in handy at random, as do screws. I've lost my fair share of M.2 screws, for instance.
Fan splitters are useful for daisy-chaining case fans to a single PWM header, and ARGB splitters or extensions make it easier to tie your lighting effects together.
Remember not to overload your motherboard header when you daisy-chain multiple fans.
A headlamp
You really need to see what you're doing
Foxelli / Amazon
I've had to make do with a flashlight (or, worse yet, the flashlight on my phone) on many occasions, but if I'm doing some serious tinkering with my PC, I prefer to use a headlamp.
It makes it much easier to see various small indicators that are hard to spot otherwise, even in a reasonably well-lit room. Motherboard labels, connectors, or case fan arrows all become easier to see when using a headlamp.
All the accessories on this list are inexpensive, but worth their weight in gold. PC building is meant to be exciting, and frantically searching for screws or obsessively grounding yourself is no fun at all. Considering how cheap some of these gadgets are, I recommend picking them up—many of them are things that are good to have at home, regardless of building PCs.
