How To Assemble A Basic Desktop PC

Step 14 Connect Cables

With all of the components installed in the case, the jungle of wires can be daunting. It is important to consult the motherboard manual in order to make sure proper connections are made. There are two kinds of connections, power and data.

• Every device that has been installed needs power. In figure 27, the power supply connectors are shown. The motherboard has two power connections, and there are two connectors specifically for SATA devices (drives). The other connectors will run fans and other non-SATA devices.
• Data cables connect drives and front panel devices to the motherboard. Please consult the motherboard documentation for the exact placement of connectors.

Warning: Incorrect connections can damage components and cause bodily injury.