How to build a computer.

[Eiffel]

First of all you need to buy all the components of a computer. These include:

• The Motherboard
• The Power Supply
• The Computer Processing Unit (CPU)
• The Random Access Memory (RAM)
• The Hard Drive
• The Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) a.k.a Graphics Card
• The Case

Warning: Do NOT build on carpet or anything that can build up a charge. Touch the inside of the case without the components to ground yourself then start building.

Now make sure you keep all the manuals if you are new to building. They can come handy in any given moment. Once you have done all the steps you can start building.
I do these in order since I've had experience and think it is the easiest way to build a computer.

Installing the CPU
Take your processor and carefully grab it and look for an arrow. Match the arrow up with the arrow that should be designated on the motherboard tray for the processor. If you see it, first open
the security latch up and insert the processor carefully. Once you feel a firmness of it sticking to the tray and every pin is aligned, then move the latch back down and it is installed. Get a cotton swab and clean
it since you do have small amounts of grease on your fingers. Now get the cpu cooler and place it on the cpu. Mount it carefully and it should align only 1 way. If you aligned it right, one of the side brackets should lock
and the other one hold it in place. This if for the typical, stock cooler. Every after-market cooler is usually different. Now connect the fan to a 3 or 4 pin adapter port on the motherboard. This is most likely located near the cpu
itself but always check the manual if you can not find it.
(Always make sure if the cooler is either pre-coated with thermal compound. It is usually white. If not, apply some thermal compound on the cpu and then continue with the the heatsink application.)

Installing the RAM
Depending on your motherboard, you need certain type of ram speeds and types. For instance, some motherboards only take DDR2 RAM or only be compliant with a certain RAM speed like 1066 or 1600. And some can only use them in Dual Channel while other offer Triple Channel. Make sure you know the RAM will work with your board. This is a simple installation. Take the RAM sticks and place them in the dim slots. They have 2 grip checks to make sure the RAM is set and working in the dim slot. Grab a stick and insert it into the dim slot carefully with even pressure. When you hear a click and/or see the grip checks pulled into completely toward the RAM, then you have successfully installed it. If you are using Dual Channel Ram, then your motherboard should mark which ones run in Dual channel same with Triple channel ram. Again, check the manual if you are not completely sure.

Installing Risers
Depending on your case, this process may be different. Usually, very expensive cases have risers already installed. If you do, then skip this process. Risers elevate your motherboard so it doesn't completely come in contact with the case.
Without risers, your motherboard could fry or short out. Your motherboard should come with some riser screws to install into the case. Refer to the manual to see how many risers you need to install. They usually will be labeled MX and
AX (For Micro ATX and ATX which are different types and sizes of motherboards.). Please read the manual as most motherboards are different with different cases. If you are blessed with a POST indicator, then you are in luck. This basically helps you align the rest of the holes to screw the motherboard into the case. It most oftenly sits in the middle of the board. You want to align the board using this if you have it.

Installing I/O Shield (Input/Output)
This is the guard to your motherboard connectors. It is usually in a rectangle shape and is obvious to where it sits in the case thanks to the shape. Make sure to put it on the right side instead of upside down. An easy precaution to take
is to hold it near your motherboard to see where they line up perfectly. The PS2 ports(mouse/keyboard) should be closest to the top of the case. If these are not on your motherboard, then check to see how it fits with your motherboard.
Click the I/O shield into place. This can be a hassle sometimes and you can easily cut yourself in the rectangle it is inserted in since it has sharp corners. Once installed, it should stay put and click in. Now, move on to check and see with the motherboard itself.

*Screw in your motherboard using either a POST indicator or using the manual.**This can be frustrating but don't give up. In the end, it should line up with the I/O shield perfectly.*

Installing Fans/Other

If you have some fans in the case already installed, then get the connector and plug it into your motherboard. This step shouldn't be too difficult since there are a multiple of places to place them. Find one that is convenient. This goes for the front panel connectors that usually consist of: USB, MIC IN, AUDIO, POWER, and FIREWIRE. The only difference is that the front panel connectors need to be placed in specific slots with different names. Refer to your manual to check which one is plugged into which motherboard header. Try not bundling up the wires.

Installing the Hard Drive/DRW Drives
This will be for tool-less bays. If you have screw-in bays, then I pity you. Usually, you have to screw in about 20+ screws in some cases. Basically if you use screws, set your hard drive into one of the trays and hold it then start screwing the screws into the holes. They should all fit perfectly. For tool-less bays, remove the quickrelease and insert the hard drive. Align it with the holes and place the quickrelease back on and tighten it. Simple isn't it? For the CD reader and writer, you apply the same process but place it in the top tray of your case.

Installing the Graphics Processin....Oh forget it. GRAPHICS CARD!
Grab your graphics card and see if is an AGP, PCI, or PCI-E slot graphics card. If you are still using AGP or PCI, your living in the past. Most graphics cards if not all nowadays come in PCI-Express. Designate the PCI-E slot. It is often a different color then the board's PCI X1 slots which are tiny. Place the graphics card into the slot and apply pressure evenly. The grip check should clamp on the card and it shouldn't move much. If your back plate of the PCI slots are covered, remove one of the metal sheathings that will leave space for the graphics card. If you have a security clamp to secure all your PCI components on your case, then remove that then install and reapply the clamp. If your card needs power from the Power Supply, you can attach that in the end. No worries. IF you have 2 PCI-E slots and are doing a Crossfire/SLI configuration, then install both cards and apply an SLI Bridge to the cards.

Installing the Power Supply
Make sure you have adequate power for your whole rig with the Power Supply. Place it in the Power Supply slot that is usually a square open plane in the back of the case. Some cases are bottom-mounted and some are top-mounted Power Supplies. I prefer bottom-mounted but that is just me. Same with the I/O shield, make sure you have it facing the correct way. From my experience, most major brand Power Supplies have words and lettering on them facing the correct way. This is usually how you need to mount it. If not, make sure the fan is facing the appropriate place. Once screwed in, connect all the power demanding components with their appropriate connector. This can be like a little game of "Where's Waldo?" but once you find the pieces that fit, its quite simple. Everything in your case should get the power from the board itself except for some graphics cards. Connect the biggest connector or the 20+4 pin and apply that to the motherboard. Depending on the motherboard, it either requires a 4 pin or 6 pin power connector near the CPU to power it. The last needed power component is the graphics card which can take in a 6pin/8pin/2x 8pin/ 2x 6pin/ depending on the card you are running.

Wiring
You may think you are done but you would be wrong. Lastly, you need to connect the remaining SATA connectors into your hard drive and CD drive. The wires will have 2 different ends and you connect one side of the plug to the drive and the other to the motherboard. They work on any motherboard SATA headers and are easy to locate. Also, you need to connect the Hard Drive and the CD drive with a connector as well. This is so if you insert a disk such as a game, it can be installed straight into your hard drive. Its basically a link cable.

TIP: Using zip-ties can help bundle up a wired mess into a clean, cool case. It allows for more airflow and less possible damage or flaws happening in your system. Also, some cases have a internal motherboard plate with holes that allow one to wire everything behind it with the holes being the entry to the connectors which in the end makes for a very nice looking case.


That is the simple, basic way to installing components and building your computer. Hope this helps all the beginner PC aficionados. If you ever need anymore help, feel free to private message me or post in this forum thread.

REMEMBER

NOT ALL CASES ARE THE SAME AND THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS WHEN BUILDING A COMPUTER.

[carnage71]

Very nice,this will definately help someone put together thier first PC.

[Sandy]

stuck

[daniyalrehan]

OMG EIFFEL TY. I thought you werent being serious when you said " I'll post it up tonight". Ty so muchhh

[Eiffel]

Originally Posted by daniyalrehan

OMG EIFFEL TY. I thought you werent being serious when you said " I'll post it up tonight". Ty so muchhh

No problem. Will be adding a video to it soon.

[1cyballz]

Originally Posted by Eiffel

No problem. Will be adding a video to it soon.

Was going to say, Pictures/Video would be very helpful to people trying to assemble everything.

[h1n1ftw]

You should also make a tutorial if your changing your CPU and how to correctly do it by removing the old and emphasizing that bending a pin be catastrophic one and applying new thermal compound like Arctic 5 best stuff that i paid $10 for and my mom throws it away. And nice tutorial for new people wanting to build a computer.

[MinT_]

Eiffel has the most dedication in threads

[Eiffel]

@ H1n1

I will. If you know about Arctic 5, you should know that it isnt the best. They released a new technology that basically is a piece of sticky tape and metal risers that allow heat to transfer to the metal then to the fan. It cools much better.

@ Mint

Thanks

[-BL1ZZ4RD-]

Do you has link to fancy thermal stuff? I've been using Arctic 5 for everything and would love to know of something to replace it with

I've even removed my north and south bridges, just to reapply with Arctic 5. Got a 2c idle-temp decrease with that.