How to Build a Computer

The difficultly of building your own computer can’t be denied—this is definitely not recommended for a beginner. The rewards make it worthwhile, however, especially if you require a lot of power from your machine. This eHow guide assumes you have already bought your computer components and just need a little help putting them all together.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• CD drive
• Floppy disk drive (optional)
• Thermal compound
• Phillips screwdriver
• Computer case with power supply unit
• Sound card
• Motherboard
• RAM
• CPU with fan
• Hard Drive
• Video card

Installing the Motherboard and CPU

1. Open your computer case. Look inside and notice the positions of the screw holes in the case plate.
2. Look at the positions of the screw holes on your motherboard and check which holes align with the holes in the case plate. You should be using the motherboard screw holes which have tiny metallic-looking dots encircling them.
3. Screw the screw nuts (small cylindrical objects) into the case holes you will be using.
4. Remove all the metal tabs from the finishing plate (this should be included with your motherboard) then install it into the rear of the case.
5. Install the CPU onto your motherboard according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
6. Align your motherboard correctly with the screw nuts. Make sure the input connectors on the board are aligned properly with the finishing plate then screw the board into place.
7. Install the CPU fan next, according to the instructions that come with your model. Make sure to smear thermal compound over the surface of the CPU before installing the fan.
8. Connect the CPU fan cable to the motherboard.

Installing Drives, RAM and Extension Cards

9. Install RAM first. Make sure you insert the sticks in the correct orientation then press down firmly to make sure they are well seated. Click the fasteners at each end of the RAM slot into place.
10. Install each drive into the bays which they fit into most comfortably (usually the CD drive will install at the top of the case, and the hard drive into a bay near the bottom). Use one or two screws to hold the drives firmly in place.
11. Install video card, sound card and any other extension cards (such as modem or network card) according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Connecting It All

12. Connect IDE drives using flat ribbon cables, making sure they are inserted in the correct orientation.
13. Connect SATA drives using SATA cables, making sure they are inserted in the correct orientation.
14. Connect your power supply to each component (motherboard, drives, fans and perhaps your video card depending on the model you bought).
15. Connect the wires that power the lights and buttons on the front of the case. The instructions for this will be in your motherboard manual.
16. Make sure all the connections are firmly seated onto the motherboard and the components in the correct orientation.
17. Close up the case then connect your peripheral devices to the input connectors in the rear of the case.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to research your components thoroughly before buying anything to prevent compatibility problems.
• The screws and screw nuts you need to install the motherboard and extension cards should be included with your computer case.
• Take particular care when installing the motherboard—it is perhaps the most difficult component to install correctly. Make sure to align the screws and screw nuts properly to prevent shorting the circuitry when you power the computer up.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to the letter when installing your hardware.
• Computer components are vulnerable to damage caused by static electricity. Keep your components in their protective sleeves until you are ready to install them.

Who Can Help:

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