How to Build Your Own Desktop Computer

Whether you want to build your own computer for video gaming, graphic design, video editing, or even just for fun, this detailed guide will show you exactly what you will need to build your very own personal computer.

Supplies

1.PC Case of Your Choice

2.Motherboard

3.Processor

4.Graphics Card

5.SSD/HDD

6.RAM

7.Power Supply Unit

8.Screwdriver

9.Thermal Paste

Step 1: Installing the Power Supply Pt.1

1. Place the power supply at the bottom of the PC case, there should be an open spot in the back of the case next to a mesh layer cutout for the power supply's exhaust as shown on the left in the picture.

2. Align the power supply box so that the screws on the side of it line up with the screw sockets around the mesh outer layer of the PC case.

3. Screw the power supply into place and make sure it sits firm in the case.

4. Double-check to make sure that the power supply's exhaust is facing towards the mesh outer layer of the case so that hot air does not blow onto vital components.

Step 2: Installing the Power Supply Pt.2

1. The power supply comes with many cables labeled with different names, plug the cables into the corresponding sockets of the power supply matching the name.

2. Now plug the other end of the cables to the components of the PC, since this is the only thing in your case for now, just plug the "fan" labeled cables into the PC's built in fan system.

3. You are done installing the power supply! Later on you will need to plug the other cables into they corresponding sockets for the PC's components as I will mention later.

Step 3: Installing the CPU (Central Processing Unit) Pt.1

1. Begin by making sure your motherboard is outside of your PC’s case, on a study surface to make sure no bends or cracks will occur in the motherboard. Release the motherboard's CPU retention bracket (the small metal piece as shown in the picture on the motherboard).

2. Now it is time to install the CPU chip. Line up the two guiding notches on the socket with the ones along the edge of the CPU chip to prevent wrong installation. After you carefully lower the CPU into its socket, lower the retention bracket back into its place.

Step 4: Installing the CPU (Central Processing Unit) Pt.2

1. Now it is time to add the CPU cooler on top of the CPU itself. Your CPU will most likely come with a syringe of thermal paste along with the CPU fan cooler that comes with the CPU. Apply a small, rice grain sized dot of the thermal paste from the syringe on top of the CPU chip.

2. Next, place the CPU fan cooler directly on top of the CPU chip making sure the black pins on each corner of the CPU fan cooler go into each of the four holes around the CPU chip as shown in the picture.

3. Once the CPU fan cooler is in place, push the pins into each one of the holes and twist them according to the diagram on top of the pins to lock the CPU fan cooler into place.

Step 5: Installing the CPU (Central Processing Unit) Pt.3

1. You are done installing the CPU! The final step is to connect the fan cable to its corresponding spot in the mother board as shown in the picture above so that the cooler can work and run properly.

Step 6: Installing the Motherboard Pt.1

1. Place your motherboard into its spot as shown in the picture.

2. Align the motherboard's screws with the screw sockets in the pc case.

Step 7: Installing the Motherboard Pt.2

1. Make sure to check if the motherboard's IO shield is in place, this is basically a plastic covering that will give you the ports and sockets you need without leaving a hole leading into the inside of your machine.

2. Make sure that your motherboard does not touch the wall of your PC, this may cause damage to it in the long run.

3. Screw in the motherboard very carefully, screwing all the screws in equally and at the same speed to reduce damaging the board.

4. Plug the SATA cables from the power supply in. Double-check that all of the internal cables in your PC are connected correctly and that everything is seated firmly in place.

Step 8: Installing the Motherboard Pt.3

This is the final product, make sure your motherboard is firmly in place with no wobbling.

Step 9: Installing the RAM (Random Access Memory) Pt.1

1. Once you choose how much RAM is right for your computer, it is time to install them into your motherboard. This is the easiest part of this build.

2. Locate the RAM sockets on your motherboard as shown in the image above.

3. For optimal performance, you will be placing the sticks of RAM in corresponding colors if you only have two, for example, in the image above you will be inserting the RAM in only black and leaking the grey sockets empty. If you have four sticks of RAM, then you can put all of the sticks in all of the sockets.

Step 10: Installing the RAM (Random Access Memory) Pt.2

1. Unlatch the hooks on the end of the sockets as shown in the first picture, then gently insert the sticks of RAM. The sticks of RAM should be gently pressed into place.

2. After you have place your RAM into the correct sockets, click the hooks back into place and the RAM should fall into place.

3. If the RAM is firmly in its sockets, you are done! The installation should look like the second image above.

Step 11: Installing the GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) Pt.1

1. Now it is time to install the GPU. This will give your computer all the power it needs to run graphic intensive programs such as video editing softwares and video games.

2. Begin by locating PCIe slot on your motherboard as shown in the picture above. This is where your GPU will be installed.

Step 12: Installing the GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) Pt.2

1. Locate the metal brackets shown above next to the PCIe slot, this will be an opening for your GPU's ports to be accessable from the outside of the PC case.

2. Unscrew as many metal brackets as you need for the GPU's ports to fit through.

Step 13: Installing the GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) Pt.3

1. Just like the RAM, the GPU slot has a hook that you need to unlatch before you insert the GPU.

2. Once unlatched, carefully place the GPU and plug it in with the fans facing up and insert the part of the GPU shown above into the PCIe slot.

3. Once inserted, latch the hook back into place and the GPU should fall into place.

Step 14: Installing the GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) Pt.4

1. Now that the GPU is firmly in place, take the screws you unscrewed from the metal brackets and screw the GPU in the same spot to ensure it does not move when you plug any cords or cables into it.

2. Finally, Find the Cord from your power supply that is larked GPU and plug it into the GPU.

3. The cables and GPU should look like the images above.

Step 15: Installing the SSD (Solid State Drive) Pt.1

Locate the block labeled M.2 and unscrew the block from the motherboard.

Step 16: Installing the SSD (Solid State Drive) Pt.2

Locate the small screw across from the SSD slot as shown above and unscrew the top (do not lose this). This is where you will secure your SSD in place.

Step 17: Installing the SSD (Solid State Drive) Pt.3

Carefully plug the SSD into the now open slot at a slight angle that is not directly perpendicular to the motherboard like in the image above.

Step 18: Installing the SSD (Solid State Drive) Pt.4

1. Push down the SSD so that the end of it is directly aligned with the screw hole.

2. Take the screw that you unscrewed earlier and screw the SSD in place.

3. You are done!

Step 19: All Done!

You just built your own PC, now you can enjoy your brand new machine!

Step 20: Works Cited

Crider, Michael. How To Upgrade and Install a New Power Supply for Your PC. 9 Apr. 2018, www.howtogeek.com/348257/how-to-upgrade-and-insta...

Ryan, Thomas. “How to Install an Intel or AMD CPU in Your Computer.” PCWorld, PCWorld, 24 Aug. 2015, www.pcworld.com/article/2957260/how-to-install-an...

Ryan, Thomas. “How to Replace Your PC's Motherboard.” PCWorld, PCWorld, 9 Sept. 2015, www.pcworld.com/article/2960805/how-to-replace-yo...

Ryan, Thomas. “How to Install New Memory in Your PC.” PCWorld, PCWorld, 21 Sept. 2015, www.pcworld.com/article/2957195/how-to-install-ne...

“How to Install a Graphics Card (With Photos & Diagrams) - BGC.” How To Build Gaming Computers, www.build-gaming-computers.com/how-to-install-gra...

Krause, Steve. “How to Install an NVMe M.2 SSD Hard Drive and Why You Should.” GroovyPost, 13 May 2020, www.groovypost.com/howto/install-nvme-m2-ssd-hard...