Welcome to my PC Assembly Instructable!

From this manual, you will learn how to assemble your very own PC!

1. Read through the components you will need.

2. Read the safety section. (IMPORTANT)

3. I have given info on what each component is and what it does on the actual PC/Motherboard.

4. Read through the price range for each component.

5. Follow the steps to assemble your PC!

Step 1: What You Will Need

- 1 Motherboard

- 1 Compatible processor w/ cooling fan

- 1 Compatible Memory Module

- 1 Tower Casing w/ Power Supply 1 Graphics Card (if motherboard doesn’t have video adapter built in)

- 1 Compatible hard disk for storage

- 1 USB Mouse

- 1 USB Keyboard 1 LCD or CRT Monitor

- 1 Screwdriver

Step 2: Safety Procedure

Where to work

The first thing you need to do before assembling your computer is that you need to find a place to work. (good spaced out area) Places like wood desks or plastic covered tablecloths are the best places to work on. Also, keep in mind, you should always handle a computer in a clean and non-metallic workspace. (so you can avoid being electrocuted)

Handle with care

Before you start working on a computer, make sure all your parts are in a clean area and not covered in dust or rust, also make sure none of your parts are damaged. Also, make sure your hands are dry to avoid damaging any mechanical parts as well as to avoid electrocution.

Wiring

When removing any cables, wires, or ribbons, make sure to hold onto the wire at the head to keep it from breaking. Work with the wires smoothly instead of roughly to keep them in good condition (the same thing goes with every other hardware because we don’t want anything to get damaged).

Static Electricity

Before starting, press the power button located at the front of the computer multiple times to discharge the electricity. Always wear an anti-static wristband while building your computer. (you can see the steps below for the anti-static wristband). Keep sensitive components in the antistatic bags that they come with, and only remove them from the bag when you are ready to install that component (avoid damaging or losing your components).

Step 3: Hardware Components

CPU & Heatsink

CPU Cooler

A device that repels heat away from the CPU chip as well as other hot chips such as the GPU which stands for the graphics processor. Heatsink: A cooler which absorbs and blows away heat and is made up of aluminum. Fans & Heatsinks: This is a combination of a fan and heatsink are widely used. The fans are placed above heat sinks to prevent a hot-running CPU chip. (Used to make sure these chips don’t overheat) Closed Water Loop: This is used to prevent loud noises from the computer, it is used to directly cool the chips causing the case fan to run very slow. After this, water is pumped from the external radiator to the CPU, to the graphics card GPU, to the flow of the indicator in front of the actual case and back to the radiator (it’s a cycle).

ROM (Read Only Memory)

The Read Only Memory is a form of data storage in PCs and other electronic gadgets/applications that cannot be modified. The RAM is referred to as an unstable memory and the memory is automatically deleted once the power has run out.

RAM (Random Access Memory)

The Random Access Memory is another form of data storage in PCs. This form of data can be accessed randomly at any time you like, in any order and any physical area. For example, hard drives are where the physical area of the information determines the time taken to recover it. RAM is typically measured in megabytes (MB) and the speed is in nanoseconds.

The Motherboard

The motherboard is the “the brain” of the computer and is easily the most important component within the computer. The motherboard has the most crucial components in it to help the computer properly function efficiently. (9) Hard Drive The hard drive of the computer stores all the installed software, photos, documents, and more. The hard drive is very important to the computer and to even you! If the hard drive were to be damaged or broken, anything you had stored onto the actual hard drive such as photos, software, programs etc. would be gone. You may be asking “But this sounds exactly the same as the RAM”? This may be true, but, the difference between the Hard drive and the RAM is that the Hard drive memory is permanent, whereas the memory on the RAM is temporary. So, if you were to open your computer with an actual hard drive, all of your saved data would still be stored.

Ports & Connectors

These ports and connectors are used for access external devices such as the printer, where you can print images and documents. These can be found usually at the back of the computer, sometimes on the side.

Northbridge

The northbridge regularly handles communication between the RAM, CPU, BIOS, RAM, and the southbridge. Some northbridges also contain built-in video controllers also can be referred to Graphics and Memory Controller Hub and Intel frameworks. Since many processors and RAM require distinctive signaling, the Northbridge can just work with just a single or two classes of CPUs and as well as a single RAM.

Southbridge

The southbridge can normally be recognized from the northbridge by not being associated with the CPU. The northbridge binds with the southbridge and to the CPU. Using controller incorporate channel hardware, the northbridge can interface signals from the I/O units to the CPU for information control & access.

PCI Express

A standard form of connection for internal components in a computer. They refer to the expansion slots on the motherboard which accept PCIe based expansion cards and to the types of expansion cards themselves.

EEPROM Battery

The EEPROM battery is a type of battery which can used to power up many of the components in the computer. The EEPROM battery is located on the motherboard and gives supply to the ROM and other components within.

Step 4: Prices for Hardware Components

- Prices of these components depend on size

- Look for reliable manufacturers for best quality components

- Prices are before

- TAX All prices in CAD

CPU (Processor) - Price Range - $75 - $3,200

Computer Case - Price Range - $40 - $680

Optical Drive - (DVD RW & SATA) - Price Range - $35 - $60

RAM (Memory) - Price Range - $45 - $200

Power Supply - Price Range - $37 - $190

Motherboard - Price Range - $50 - $405

CPU Fan - Price Range - $10 - $130

Case Fan - Price Range - $7 - $220

Hard Drive - Price Range - $55 - $230

Step 5: Starting the Assembly

When assembling a computer, its very important to start off from the bottom and then all the way to the top. The component which starts at the bottom and the component you should start off with is the motherboard. For the computer to function efficiently and properly, all of the components must be installed. Some of these components are the heatsink, the microprocessor which is the CPU, and the RAM. The RAM needs to be placed carefully into the designated RAM slots, after this, make sure you lock both sides. The CPU is then placed carefully right after, also make sure to blow on the CPU before placing it because dust can get into it. For your final task for this step, you will need to put the heatsink on top of the CPU and screwed back into the 4 corresponding holes.

Step 6: Installing the Hard Drive, Power Supply, and Case Fan

It's now time to install the hard drive. To install the Hard Drive, slide the 3.5" HDD into the drive bay. Once you have placed the HDD into the drive bay, tighten the screws to make sure the HDD isn't wobbly and is in place.

Installing the power supply is similar to installing the Hard Drive, align the holes for the power supply with the power supply itself. From there, insert the screws in the holes and tighten to make sure it is in place. Installing the case fan is the same as installing the Hard Drive and Power Supply. Find the mount for the case fan, align the case fan with the mount and tighten in the screws.

Step 7: Installing the CPU, RAM, and Heatsink

We are getting closer to completing our process of assembling our PC, next we will need to place some hardware components into the motherboard so that all the parts can work. To install the RAM, place it over the designated RAM slots, also make sure to lock both sides so that the RAM is connected to the motherboard. After this, the CPU is placed carefully right after. (make sure no dust is in the CPU before placing it on) For the Heatsink, place it over the four corresponding holes and place the Heatsink.

Step 8: Placing the Motherboard

Once your components are fully in place, it’s now time to place the motherboard back into the computer. Before placing it in the computer, make sure the hard drive, optical drive, cooling fan lid and anything blocking the path of the motherboard with a green arrow facing up is lifted up.

Step 9: Screwing in the Motherboard

Good job! You’re making good progress so far, now it's time to screw the motherboard back into the computer! (Make sure to use a screwdriver when doing this step) There are 8 holes around the motherboard where you need put screws in to screw in the motherboard. The image below will show you where the 8 holes are, the holes are circled to see clearly. The “x’s” in the image are the 4 holes for the heat sink. So, don’t get confused and try to screw into those holes because they are specifically for the heatsink!

Step 10: Wiring

Now that you have screwed in the motherboard into the computer, you now have to wire everything together! Now, this part may be difficult for some because it's hard to correctly wire everything. There are many similar ports so people will get confused where the wires are really supposed to go. First, you will need to plug in the SATA ( thick grey wire ) into the SATA ports which is a blue port. Next, connect the power bank wires into the white 6-wire socket which you will find to the right of the SATA ports which are green. Now, above the SATA ports, there will be a 4 socket port shaped as a square, you will need to plug in the optical drive wires into this square port, the port colour will be yellow. Beside the RAM slots, you will find two colourful ports, you will now place the two large black wires into the blue and yellow ports, the port colour will be purple. After this, you will find a thin bundle of wires that are flat. You will need to connect those into the white pins which are directly to the right of the the white 6-wire

Step 11: Check All Components

Once you are finally done the wiring, check to make sure the motherboard is placed perfectly and stable (make sure none of the screws are loose and the motherboard is sturdy). Also, make sure all of the components are placed in the correct areas, also make sure none of the components are loose or damaged. Congrats! You have no assembled a computer! Plug in your keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers and your computer is now ready to be used!