How to Build Your Own Desktop PC

Today, technology has made it easier for anyone to build a desktop computer and save a little money. You can have the computer that you want and not something that you have to buy. Knowing how to build your own PC desktop will allow you to customize it exactly how you want. Make a gaming computer or a personal computer that has everything you need.

Things You'll Need

• Motherboard Hard drive CPU cooler Processor RAM Expansion cards Auxiliary drives Cabinet fan Screw driver

Instructions

1. Install the motherboard. Make sure you are using the correct mounting holes. Refer to the motherboard manual and make sure that all your parts are compatible. Screw down the motherboard to secure. The screws should be tight, but never overtighten the screws. Take the ATX power connector that is on the power supply and attach it to the motherboard. If you are using a P4 processor, you also have to attach the connector from the P4.

2. Install the processor. Make sure that you have no static while doing this. You will ruin the processor. Lift the bail and line up the pins; the processor will drop into place. Close the bail, and the processor is secured.

3. Install the CPU cooler. Buy a cooler that is compatible with your processor and install it above the processor according to the manual that comes with the cooler. The cooler has a mounting device, heat sink and a fan. The computer case will have a circle slot opening on the side where the cooler is mounted. Apply the thermal jelly between the die of the processor and the heat sink. Plug the fan into the motherboard using the three-pin connector. The motherboard will have a spot labeled CPU fan.

4. Install the RAM. For the most part, installing the RAM in the first slot is recommended. Refer to the motherboard manual to see where to start placing the RAM. This is determined by what type of RAM you are using. You will use either a DDR-SDRAM or a SDRAM.

5. Install the expansion cards in the proper slots. You might have a video card, audio card or a PCI card. It is important that these expansion cards are compatible with the motherboard. Install the ethernet card and other cards you need at this time.

6. Install the hard drive. If you are using SATA drives, you do not need the use of jumpers. If you are using EIDE drives, you will need to use jumpers and follow the directions in the user manual. The computer case should have a cage where the drives go. Remove the cage cover and connect the hard drives. If you are connecting a floppy drive or CD/DVD drive, you will probably want to put them in the cage as well.

7. Connect the data cables to the motherboard. Then connect the power cords. Make sure that you have the right polarity. Do not install the power cord backward, or you will destroy the drive and more than likely the power supply.

8. Install the fan for the cabinet. Install the fan blowing out to stop it from sucking in dust and other foreign debris. Install according to the directions on the fan.

Tips & Warnings

• Ensure that all your parts are compatible.

• Never run the computer without a processor fan or a cabinet fan. Ensure that you have no static when building a computer.