Computers are something we all use, but to many people, they may be magic in how they work and how they are put together. Well I'm here to inform you on how these magic machines may be made.
Tools:
The list of “tools” you need doesn’t include many tools, but the parts of the computer. The only true tool you’ll need is a screwdriver, preferably magnetic if possible. The other “tools” you will need for a computer are a CPU, video card, motherboard, cpu cooler, ram modules, hard drives and/or ssd, and a case.
Step 1: This step is mostly for safety, as computers are very fragile in their parts. You’ll want to build this computer on a desk that will not give any electric shocks, as these will destroy components of the computer.
Step 2: The CPU
Steps of building a computer are variable, but these are the steps I recommend in this order. You will start with taking your motherboard out of the box. Put the motherboard on its box, or the table. Be careful with handling any part of your pc. The first real step in building your computer is putting the CPU into the motherboard. The CPU is the Central Processing Unit, and it does most of the processing for your computer’s tasks. Take the cpu out of the box, being VERY CAREFUL to touch only the sides of the CPU, do not touch the top or bottom. There will be a bar near the top middle of the motherboard, and a socket with a bunch of little pinholes. Pull this bar up, and look at your CPU. There will be a triangle in one corner of the CPU, as well as a triangle in the corner of the CPU socket. Slowly drop the CPU into the socket, matching triangle corner to triangle corner. Make sure the CPU is snug in the socket, then take the lever and push it back down into position. This will take a bit of force, do not worry.
Step 3: The CPU Cooler
The CPU Cooler keeps your CPU at working temperatures, and its installation will vary greatly depending on your type of cooler, and you can find the instructions for your cooler on your manual. For a basic installation that may or may not apply however, you will first apply thermal paste, the heat conductor between the CPU and the cooler. Apply a drop of thermal paste the size of a grain of rice in the middle of the CPU, then apply your CPU cooler by putting it directly on your CPU, and follow the manual.
Step 4: The RAM
The RAM is the “short term memory” of your PC. It is one of the easiest things to install, but there is one important step that may be easy to miss. Motherboards typically have 4 RAM slots, so where would you put the RAM if you have only 2 sticks? Well, you must consult the motherboard manual for this, reading about what slots to populate first. Typically, it’ll be the 2nd and 4th slot, but it is very important to look before installing. Once you know what slot to install the ram, it is as easy as one, two, and three. Step one is to push the side clamps on the RAM module slots down. Step 2 is the insert the RAM, matching the divet in the ram stick with the outcrop in the slot. Step 3 is to push the RAM in with equal force on each side until the clamps go back to their original position, holding the RAM in place. Repeat this step with each stick of RAM.
Step 5 (part 1): Case Preparation
The case is where all the parts go, keeping them safe and in place. The first step in prepping the case is to open it up, by removing the front panel on the case. Look in the drive cage, or power supply cage for a box that will come with your case that has all of your accessories. You want the motherboard IO Shield, and you will put it in your case. The shiny metal side will go inside your case, and the little circles will go near the bottom of the case. There will be a cutout in the case, and push the IO Shield into that cutout from the inside of the case until it pops into place.
Step 5 (part 2): Installing the Motherboard
The next part of prepping your case is the motherboard standoffs. These keep your motherboard from resting directly on the case, where the back may become damaged. These parts will come in the goody bag from your case, and will be put on the case depending on the size of your motherboard, such as mini ATX or standard ATX. There will be markers on the case that tell you what size will require those stand offs, so screw in your standoffs into these locations. Then, slowly put your motherboard in your case, making sure the middle standoff falls into place in the middle of your motherboard, lining up your IO shield with the port on your motherboard. Use the designated screws from your goody bag to screw the motherboard onto the standoffs, which will keep your motherboard in place.
Step 6: The Power Supply
The power supply is the, you guessed it, supplier of power. Depending on your type of power supply, it may be modular, semi modular, and not modular. Modular meaning there are cables that you choose to put in, and not modular is cables are already there and you can’t change any of them. Take whatever cables you will need, including the 24 pin ATX cable for your motherboard, the 8 pin EPS for the CPU, and 2 6+2 PciE for your video card. You will also need a SATA cable for any storage you have. Take your power supply and find where your power supply will slot in. Slide it in with the fan facing down and the cables facing into the pc. Use the 4 power supply screws given in order to lock your power supply in place.
Step 7: The Front Panel Connectors
The front panel connectors are what gives power and function to the buttons on the front of your pc, such as your on and off button, your headphone jack, and your usb slots. Find these cables from behind the case, and slot them through to the front, preferably closest to the connector on the motherboard itself. Start with the USB 3.0, and find the USB 3 connector on the motherboard. It will be keyed, meaning the cable will have to go a certain way in order to plug into the motherboard. Each motherboard will be different with where the pins go, and some have the labels next to the pins. Find these labels and match the cables, being careful to not break the pins.
Step 8: Hard Drives/SSD
Hard Drives are the storage of your device, and SSD’s are the same but are much faster in speed, but are more expensive. You want to find your drive bay, and slide your disks in. You than want to screw in the disks, and connect your SATA cable from your motherboard. Get a DATA cable, and connect it from your Hard Drive to the motherboard slot.
Step 9: Video Card
The video card is the processor of any video/3D related things. First, remove the metal brackets to the side of the main video card slot. Depending on your card, you may be required to remove more than 1. Push the tab on the side down, and slot your video card in. Push it down until the clamp goes back onto the video card, and then screw in the video card on the side where the metal brackets were. Get the 2 6+2 pin connectors and plug it into the video card.
Step 10: Turn It On
With all of these parts in, put the back panel onto your pc, and plug in the pc to the wall. Turn on the PC with the case’s power button. If all fans spin and any RGB lights you may have turned on, you can connect a monitor. If it outputs a display, your PC building is a success.’
As someone who has built 2 PC’s, and has helped 3 people build PC’s, I would consider myself pretty knowledgeable on computers. I’ve watched hours of building, and have immersed myself in computers for months. If you have any questions, feel free to
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