How to Build a Pentium Computer

If you have searched the store shelves for the perfect Pentium-based computer to fit your needs and have come up empty-handed, you are not completely out of luck. With the wide variety of computer components on the market today, it is quite easy to piece together a custom computer that will do everything you need it to do. These instructions offer you an overview of how to build a Pentium computer from such components.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Perform some initial research into the components you would like to see in your system. The motherboard is the most important part of the computer, and it will determine the type of Pentium processor that you will be able to use, the type of RAM you will need and the expansion capabilities of the system. Ensure that the motherboard has the correct slots and ports for the components that you will be using, such as the video card, sound card and hard drives. Also, check the website of the motherboard manufacturer for any known incompatible products.

2. Order the parts from reputable dealers. For the basic Pentium computer, you will need a case, power supply, motherboard, processor, processor cooling fan, hard drive, video card, sound card, network card, optical drive, keyboard, mouse and monitor.

3. Collect the parts you will use in the system, and arrange them in a large, clean work area.

4. Mount the power supply into the case, if it is not already mounted. Ensure that the screws are tight.

5. Compare the mounting holes on the motherboard to the standoff slots in the case, and place a standoff beneath each mounting hole. Secure the motherboard with screws.

6. Connect the power cable from the power supply to the motherboard. Connect the leads from the lights, switches, USB headers and audio connections to the appropriate pins on the motherboard.

7. Install the processor into the socket on the motherboard. This is done by aligning the marked corners of the processor and socket, gently inserting the processor into the socket and locking down the socket lever to secure the processor. Be careful not to bend any of the processor pins.

8. Spread a small amount of thermal compound on the top of the processor. Place the processor cooling fan assembly over the processor and lock it into place. Plug the power lead from the fan into the appropriate port on the motherboard.

9. Insert the RAM modules into the proper sockets, and firmly press them into place until the clips lock into the sides of the chip.

10. Insert the video card, network card, sound card and other expansion cards into the appropriate slots on the motherboard, and secure them with screws.

11. Mount the hard drive and optical drive into the case, and connect the data cables to the drives and the motherboard. Connect a power lead from the power supply to each drive.

12. Close the case once all internal components are installed. Connect the external components, such as the mouse and keyboard.

13. Plug the computer in, turn it on and prepare to install an operating system on your new Pentium computer.

Tips & Warnings

• Before working inside the computer, discharge any static electricity that may be in your body by touching a grounded metal surface. The average computer component runs on less than 12 volts, and it can be easily damaged by the thousands of volts that can be applied to it during a static discharge.