Introduction: Building a PC
In this tutorial, I will show you how to build a PC.
Supplies
CPU
CPU Cooler (compatible with motherboard)
Motherboard (compatible with CPU)
at least 4GB of RAM (compatible with motherboard)
Storage device (compatible with motherboard)
Case (compatible with motherboard)
Philips head screwdriver
anti-static mat
anti-static wrist strap
Monitor
VGA or HDMI cable.
Step 1: Installing Your CPU
Begin by unboxing your Motherboard.
Place the Motherboard on top of the box it came in.
On the Motherboard, there is a CPU socket cover.
Gently pull the lever out from under the metal piece, and lift back.
This will reveal the CPU socket.
Once you've done this, gently unbox your CPU.
On the CPU, there should be a golden triangle in one of the corners.
In the socket, there should also be a triangle in one of the corners.
Line these triangle up, and gently place your CPU into the socket. DO NOT APPLY PRESSURE, it should drop into place.
Once your CPU is comfortably seated in it's socket, place the metal cover back over the socket. Pull the lever back down and under it's metal latch to lock it in place.
Your CPU should be properly installed at this point.
Step 2: Installing Your CPU Cooler
If your CPU Cooler did not come with thermal paste pre applied:
Take some thermal paste
push out a pea-sized amount of thermal paste onto the center of the CPU.
Continue with the following:
Assuming your CPU Cooler came with thermal paste pre applied, continue with the following:
Turn each of the 4 plastic insertion pieces on the cooler such that their arrows point outward as shown.
Gently place the cooler onto the CPU socket, being sure to line up each of the insertion pieces with the holes around the socket.
Press each of the pieces down to lock the cooler into place.
Plug the 4 (or 3) pin connector into the correct fan connector on the motherboard.
your CPU Cooler should now be properly installed.
Step 3: Installing RAM
Next to the CPU socket, there should be 2-4 DIMM slots (slots next to the CPU socket that look like those in the above images)
Being sure to line up the RAM slot notches, gently press your RAM into the slot, applying equal pressure to both sides until it clicks into place. Do this for each of however many RAM sticks you have.
Your RAM should now be properly installed.
Step 4: Installing an M.2 SSD
Find the M.2 slot on your motherboard, and insert the SSD.
The motherboard should've come with a very small screw specifically for locking in the M.2 SSD.
Look for this screw in the box the motherboard came in.
Use the screw lock the SSD into place.
Your SSD should now be properly installed.
Step 5: Installing IO Shield
Take out your PC case.
Find your IO shield.
Press the shield into place, apply pressure on each corner such that it clicks into place.
Be happy!
Step 6: Installing Standoffs Into Case
Insert and screw in standoffs using the screw to standoff adapter (should've came in a bag with the standoffs)
Step 7: Installing Motherboard Into Case
Handle your motherboard gently by it's heatsink.
Lower it into the case, being sure to line it's holes up with the standoffs, and the IO shield.
Press it firmly against the IO shield while you insert the screws to the standoffs.
Step 8: Cable Management
Place your power supply in it's proper location in the case.
Feed the 4/8 pin and 20/24 pin connectors through the holes in the interior of the case.
Insert both connectors into their proper spots on the motherboard.
Take the USB 3.0 cable from the case and insert it into the USB 3.0 pins on the motherboard.
Take the front panel connectors from the case and insert them into the front panel pins on the motherboard.
Take the HD Audio cable from the case and insert it into the HD Audio pins on the motherboard.
Take the case fan connector and insert it into the chassis fan connector on the motherboard.
Step 9: Turning on Your PC
At this point, we can plug in our power supply, flip the rocker switch to ON, connect our PC to a display, and press the power button on the case.
If the PC boots up correctly, your job is done.
All that's left to do is screw your side panels back into place, and you're done!
