| When you have the new PC components items | | | | 5) Install the Power Supply |
| available, next step is to Assemble the PC together. | | | | There will be a bracket at the top of the case where |
| This is the most interesting part and also the most | | | | you can mount the power supply, and secure the |
| rewarding part when your system is up and running, | | | | power supply using screws. The power supply will |
| all credits to Yourself!! | | | | consists of the following connectors: ATX power |
| Essential Tools required: | | | | connector, ATX_12V connector, IDE power |
| 1) A screwdriver (Cross-shaped) | | | | connector, and FDD power connector. Look for the |
| Optional Recommended Items: | | | | 20 or 24 pin ATX power connector, and plug it into |
| 1) Torchlight (To illuminate hard to see areas) | | | | the motherboard allocated power slot. There may |
| 2) Antistatic wrist strap (To discharge of any static | | | | also be an additional four or eight pin power lead on |
| charges) | | | | the motherboard that needs to be plugged in, which |
| Let's start now. Firstly, discharge yourself of any | | | | is usually located near the processor socket. Do |
| static charges by touching the metal casing or | | | | double confirm with the motherboard manual for |
| attaching the other side of the antistatic wrist strap | | | | details. |
| to the metal casing. | | | | TIP: You might want to consider getting a new |
| 1) Open the case | | | | power supply which rating is at least 300W so as to |
| 2) Install the motherboard | | | | support any future upgrades you have in mind. |
| Find the motherboard standoffs that should have | | | | TIP: You need to select the right power supply |
| come with the case. Insert the I/O Shield that came | | | | settings (115v or 220v) depending on your country |
| with your motherboard. Now locate the screw holes | | | | settings. For newer power supplies, it is equipped |
| on your motherboard and find the corresponding | | | | with automatic detection, so that will not be an issue |
| holes on the motherboard plate (or tray) in the case. | | | | at all. |
| Put a standoff in each of these holes on the tray | | | | 6) Install the Floppy drives/Hard-disks/DVD writers |
| and position the motherboard so that you can see | | | | Floppy disks, Harddisks and DVD ROM/writers |
| the holes in the top of the standoffs through the | | | | communicate with the CPU through data cables |
| screw holes in the motherboard. Now fasten a screw | | | | commonly called FDD/IDE cables, although newer |
| through each of the motherboard screw holes into | | | | harddisks now connect via SATA cables for faster |
| the standoffs underneath. These screws should be | | | | data communications. |
| snug but not tight. With the motherboard in, we are | | | | Note: FDD Cable for floppy disk drives appears |
| now able to start adding in other components. | | | | smaller and has fewer wires. |
| 3) Install the CPU. | | | | Note: Using multiple hard disks If you have intention |
| As I mentioned earlier, the processor (CPU) and | | | | on using multiple hard disks, you must adjust the |
| motherboard go hand-in-hand, so you should spend | | | | settings on the multiple disks to inform the computer |
| some time planning and researching what you really | | | | system which is the main disk and the other |
| desires and buy compatible CPU / motherboard | | | | supporting/additional disks. If not done properly, the |
| components, just like the importance of buying the | | | | system can get confused, and the disk may not |
| right shoe size for yourself. Given that this is a | | | | boot at all. Do read the simple instructions as shown |
| minimum system upgrade, you are saving up quite a | | | | on the harddisk surface for the right way to place |
| bit through reusing other components; I suggest you | | | | the jumpers so as to distinguish between the master |
| build a better performing system so that it can serve | | | | drive (main operating system) and the slave drives |
| you for several years to come. | | | | (other files/documents). This instruction varies across |
| Before start, please read the manual provided with | | | | different harddisk manufacturers. This configuration |
| the motherboard/CPU carefully, understand the | | | | should be done before inserting the IDE cables. |
| different parts, and the installation diagrams before | | | | First, remove the front casing of the computer, and |
| proceeding. Then again, it is not very difficult with | | | | remove the 5.25" plate so as to expose the front of |
| only 3 simple steps to success. | | | | the DVD drives later. Similarly do it for the floppy |
| 1st step to success: Install the CPU | | | | drive plate. Insert the IDE cables into the floppy drive |
| I will be using Intel Socket 775 as illustration as it is | | | | harddisk/ DVD data connector noting the orientation |
| the latest socket used so far. | | | | of the notch in the centre, so as to insert in the right |
| -Remove the protective socket on the new socket | | | | directions. The remaining connector is to be |
| protecting the pins | | | | connected to the motherboard. Next, to power up |
| -Open the lever and lift up the metal flap so as to | | | | the drives by plugging in the 4 pin molex power |
| install the CPU | | | | connector from the power supply in step 5 into each |
| -While carefully holding the CPU at the edges, look | | | | hard drive and optical drive. For the floppy drive, the |
| for the notch in the corner and match it up with the | | | | power plug is also 4 pins in a row but significantly |
| socket. Slowly lay down the CPU in the socket, | | | | smaller than that of the hard disk. Need to take note |
| before lowering the metal flap, and closing the | | | | of the power connector orientation as well. |
| socket lever to secure the CPU. | | | | Final securing all disks and optical drives with screws |
| 2nd step to success: Install the CPU heatsink | | | | before securing back the front casing cover. |
| If you like to go to a cool place to enjoy some | | | | TIP: Recommend that the IDE hard disk be |
| aircon when you are hot, the same can be said of | | | | connected to the IDE 1 connector and the optical |
| the CPU which you have just installed. We need to | | | | devices connect to the IDE 2 connector. Maximum of |
| dissipate the high heat generated by the CPU so that | | | | 2 IDE devices per IDE connector. If using multiple IDE |
| it would not overheat and fry. | | | | hard drives, you should enter BIOS later on and set |
| -I am recommending getting hold of some thermal | | | | their boot sequence accordingly. |
| paste which you can apply evenly on the CPU | | | | 7) Install the Video Card |
| surface for better heat conductivity and dissipation. | | | | For older motherboards, we typically see AGP video |
| (To note: Intel® boxed processor already come | | | | card being used, which will be installed onto the AGP |
| with their integrated thermal solutions, and so does | | | | socket, which is often brown in color. For newer |
| not need extra efforts) | | | | systems, PCI Express video cards are more |
| -Align heat sink onto the Socket containing the CPU, | | | | commonly used due to better data transfer |
| with the fan cable orientated closest to fan power | | | | performance and better resolution performance. Both |
| connector, and check for any entanglement. | | | | AGP and PCI Express slots can be identified easily, |
| -Press down on fastener caps with thumb to install | | | | and is usually located adjacent to the CPU unit. |
| and lock. Repeat with the other 3 fasteners. | | | | Now, insert the card into the slot with some force, |
| 3rd step to success: Power up the heat sink | | | | and check that it is fully inserted with no protruding |
| This is done by connecting the fan cable from step 2 | | | | edges, before screwing it in at the top of the metal |
| to the CPU_FAN connector located on the | | | | bracket. If it has a power connector, connect it with |
| motherboard, which is located very close to the CPU. | | | | a 4-pin molex connector. |
| Tie up excess cable to prevent interference with fan | | | | 8) Remaining Internal Connections |
| operation or other components. | | | | -Connect the audio cable from the DVD to the |
| Congrats, by the time you finished this, the rest | | | | motherboard CD_IN connector (if required) |
| should be a breeze already =) | | | | -Connect the power/reset buttons, and signal |
| 4) Install the Memory | | | | indicators (those external blinking lights) to the |
| With a new motherboard and faster processor, we | | | | F_Panel connector on the motherboard. (i.e: Power |
| will then need more RAM (random access memory) | | | | indicator, hardware indicator, internal speaker, etc...). |
| to enable and facilitate this faster performance. | | | | Read individual motherboard manual for clearer |
| Again, you should spend some time planning and | | | | inserting of these signal connectors. |
| researching on memory which is compatible with the | | | | -Double check on proper power connection to all |
| new CPU and motherboard you have installed to | | | | hardware components |
| bring out the best overall performance. To install the | | | | - (Optional) Install extra items such as front mounted |
| RAM modules, you need to unfasten the clips located | | | | USB, firewire and/or sound ports. |
| on each side of the memory slot. Align the RAM | | | | At this point We are 90% done with our DIY PC |
| module in the socket, such as to match the indent | | | | Assembly already !! Do not put back the casing |
| located on the memory chip and the memory slot, | | | | covers as yet. |
| for the right facing direction. Push down on the | | | | 9) Final External Connections |
| memory module until both clips refasten and a click | | | | -Connect back the outer devices including items likea) |
| sound is heard. To change memory, simply press | | | | Keyboardb) Mousec) Monitord) Printer / Scannerse) |
| down the both clips at the same time, and the RAM | | | | Speakersf) External power supply cable |
| will come out easily. | | | | 10) Bring on the POWER!! |
| TIP: Start adding RAM at the slot labeled "Bank 0" or | | | | This brings us to the last stage of the PC assembly |
| "DIMM 1". If you don't, the system will think there is | | | | process. If you have done everything right, now is |
| no memory available and wont boot. | | | | the time to sit back and savor the fruit of success. |
| TIP:For newer systems supporting hyper treading | | | | With the casing still open, and all external peripherals |
| technology, you are encouraged to use the dual | | | | connected, turn on the computer and observe for |
| channel memory functionality by placing 2 sticks of | | | | any abnormality such as fan not spinning, or beeps |
| the same memory on alternate slots (i.e.: slot 1 | | | | alarms from the PC. If so, turn off the power and |
| & 3 or Slot 2 & 4, often differentiated by | | | | spend some time checking through the connections, |
| color as well. ) This has been proven to enhance the | | | | and also the manual for some tips on troubleshooting. |
| performance as well. | | | | Well, if you observed no abnormality till far, and you |
| After installing the new motherboard / CPU, and | | | | have seen the splash screen from the motherboard, |
| memory, you are already DONE installing the New | | | | CONGRATULATIONS!! You have succeeded in building |
| essential items you have bought. YEAH!! Now that is | | | | your own PC in this PC Assembly DIY guide by |
| left is to migrate the remaining items from the old pc | | | | flashG. |
| to your "Brand New" PC. =) | | | | |