Step-by-Step Guide to Building a
PC
This thread is to provide a step-by-step guide to how to build a PC. These are the general steps required in building a PC, which can be performed what sequence you feel best fits your needs.
This thread is to provide a step-by-step guide to how to build a PC. These are the general steps required in building a PC, which can be performed what sequence you feel best fits your needs.
· Step One: Choosing your components:
· Step Two: Prepare your case:
· Step Three: Install components on motherboard (outside
of case):
· Step Four: Install Motherboard into case:
· Step Five: Connect System Wires:
· Step Six: Install Video Card(s):
· Step Seven: Connect Power Supply:
· Step Eight: Boot System for First Time:
· Step Nine: Install Operating System / Drivers:
· Step Ten: Test System and Have FUN!!
Step One: Choosing your components:
Here are the components I have selected for this build: (First build since I decided to create this guide)
Step One: Choosing your components:
Here are the components I have selected for this build: (First build since I decided to create this guide)
· CPU: AMD Athlon II X4 620 Propus 2.6GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket
AM3 95W Quad-Core Processor - Retail
· MOBO: GIGABYTE GA-MA785GMT-UD2H AM3 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD
Motherboard - Retail
· Thermal
Compound: Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM
Other links to help with deciding on what components to get.
Other links to help with deciding on what components to get.
· Recommended Builds by Usage
– This thread provides a very good guide of types of builds by usage at
different price points.
· *How To Ask For New Build Advice* - This is the
best thread to review how to ask for advice and is a required format to get the
best answers.
· *Guide to Choosing Parts* -
This thread provides a very good guide in choosing parts and provides many
important links and ideas.
· Best Of Tom’s Hardware: Beginner’s
Guide To Motherboard Selection - This is a great Tom's Hardware
article on what to think about and look for when choosing a motherboard.
Remember from this point forward to ground yourself by touching the metal case before you handle any of your computer’s electronic components, it saves them from possible static discharge which can destroy hardware. Some people find it useful to use a Anti-static wrist band but I leave that to the individual, as I don't find them necessary, as long as you continue to touch the metal of your case.
Step Two: Prepare your case:
In this step you want to get your case ready for the install. Others may have different opinions on what should or shouldn’t be done at this stage but these are the steps I undertake when building a PC.
Remember from this point forward to ground yourself by touching the metal case before you handle any of your computer’s electronic components, it saves them from possible static discharge which can destroy hardware. Some people find it useful to use a Anti-static wrist band but I leave that to the individual, as I don't find them necessary, as long as you continue to touch the metal of your case.
Step Two: Prepare your case:
In this step you want to get your case ready for the install. Others may have different opinions on what should or shouldn’t be done at this stage but these are the steps I undertake when building a PC.
· Remove both
side panels off of the case.
· Determine
how to route your case wires to provide good cable management.
Ready your case for your motherboard
Ready your case for your motherboard
· Remove your
motherboard from the box and protective covering.
· Place the
motherboard in the case to line up where the standoffs need to be placed.
· Place the
standoffs on the case in the locations matching up with your motherboard
Install Power Supply
I choose to install the PSU during this phase of the process, so I can start planning in my mind how my cable management is going to flow for the build.
Install Power Supply
I choose to install the PSU during this phase of the process, so I can start planning in my mind how my cable management is going to flow for the build.
· Remove the
PSU from the box.
· Place the
PSU inside of the case and line up the with “PSU hole” on the case. Some cases
have the PSU mounted at the top of the case, while others have it mounted at
the bottom. For this build, the PSU is mounted at the bottom in the Antec 300
· Connect the
proper screws through the case to securely mount the PSU to the case.
· Prepare the
power supply cables for possible cable management. 1) For cases with room
behind the MOBO tray, I recommend routing all of the wires through the opening
in the top/bottom, so when you place the components inside the case, you can
route them back inside the case for good cable management. 2) For cases with no
room behind the MOBO tray, there isn’t much you can to prior with the cables to
so just have them all setting outside of the case, as the case is laying on
it’s side.
Install Hard Drive
· Remove the
HDD from the box/protective covering.
· Remove HDD
cage from case, if applicable.
· Place drive
into the internal 3.5” slot, in the appropriate location on your case. For my
build, I’m installing in the lower HDD cage in the Antec 300.
· Use the
appropriate screws to screw the drive into the internal 3.5” slot. This isn’t
required if you are using a tool less case or a “hot swaps” internal enclosure.
· Install the
HDD cage back into the case, if applicable.
Install CD/DVD Drive
· Remove the
drive from the box/protective covering.
· Remove the
front of the case to gain access to the external 5.25" panels, if
applicable
· Remove the
appropriate bezel from the case in the location you want to install the drive.
· Place drive
into the external 5.25" slot, in the appropriate location on your case.
For my build, I’m installing in the third slot down from the top in the Antec
300.
· Use the
appropriate screws to screw the drive into the external 5.25" slot. This
isn’t required if you are using a tool less case.
· Install the
front of the case back on, if applicable.
Install Rear I/O Panel
· Remove the
generic I/O panel that comes to stock with your case. It may take a little more
force than you think to remove.
· Install the
Rear I/O panel that comes with your motherboard. Install it so you can read the
text when the case is laying flat were the motherboard would be facing up. As
with removing, it may take a little more force than you think to install it on
to your case.
Step Three: Install components on motherboard (outside of case):
In this step you want to get your motherboard ready by installing components that are best install outside of the case; CPU, CPU Heatsink Fan and Memory.
Install CPU
· Remove the
CPU from the box/protective covering.
Intel
Intel
· Unlock the CPU socket arm. Generally there will be a small
plastic or metal arm that lies on the side of the CPU socket. To unlock it,
just push it out and then pull it up.
· Remove the
CPU socket cover.
· Align the
triangle on the top of the CPU to with the corresponding corner on your motherboard's CPU socket and gently lower the CPU
into the socket. Be aware, there should be no pushing or snapping involved in
this process. The CPU, if correctly aligned, should simply fall (gently!) into
place.
· Lower and
lock the socket arm, which in turn will lock your CPU into your motherboard.
AMD
AMD
· Unlock the
CPU socket arm. Generally there will be a small plastic or metal arm that lies
on the side of the CPU socket. To unlock it, just push it out and then pull it
up.
· Align the
triangle on the top of the CPU to with the corresponding corner on your
motherboard's CPU socket and gently lower the CPU into the socket. Be aware,
there should be no pushing or snapping involved in this process. The CPU, if
correctly aligned, should simply fall (gently!) into place.
· Lower and
lock the socket arm, which in turn will lock your CPU into your motherboard.
Install RAM – Review your motherboard manual for specifics on what slots to use.
Updated: Moved to recommend installing RAM before installing the heat sink to help with the large heat sinks blocking RAM slots close to the motherboard. (Thanks for the recommendation sevyr)
· Remove the
RAM from the box/protective covering.
· Push back
the memory clips on the specific slots you are installing them on
· Place the
memory into the slots and push down on the RAM sticks. It may take a little
more force than you think to push them fully into the slots. The memory clips
should lock when you push the RAM in completely.
Install Heat Sink – Review your manual for specifics for your heat sink!
Here is a more detailed guide on installing the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus... Installing the Cooler Master Hyper 212+
· Remove the
heat sink from the box/protective covering.
· Prepare the
heat sink bracket and screws.
· Install the
motherboard mounting bracket on the back of the motherboard.
· Apply
proper amount of thermal compound to the bottom of the CPU/heat sink (remember
to remove the protective covering on the heat sink first… 
). Most common
method is to apply a pea size dot to the center of the CPU. With newer HDT
coolers, I recommend using this method… Proximon’s guide on to how to apply
thermal past to Heatpipe Direct Touch (HDT) coolers
). Most common
method is to apply a pea size dot to the center of the CPU. With newer HDT
coolers, I recommend using this method… Proximon’s guide on to how to apply
thermal past to Heatpipe Direct Touch (HDT) coolers
· Apply the
heat sink to the top of the CPU.
· Attach the
screws to the motherboard mounting bracket to secure the heat sink. Once you
have the screws started, slightly twist the heat sink side to side to help with
spreading out the thermal compound. I recommend tightening the heat sink down
using a criss-cross tightening method (1-3-2-4). You want to repeat the
tightening steps 4 or more times until the heat sink is firmly secured to the
motherboard. Don't tighten one screw down at a time.
· Connect the
fan(s) to the heat sink, if applicable.
· Connect the
heat sink fan power connector to the appropriate CPU FAN slot on the
motherboard.
Step
Four: Install
Motherboard into case:
Some builders recommend breadboarding their system prior to installing into the case. If you breadboard, skip down to Step Five and perform the remaining steps with the motherboard outside of the case. Breadboarding ensures that you are installing known good parts in the case. Finish up with this step in breadboarding (Thanks for the reminder jsc!!)
Some builders recommend breadboarding their system prior to installing into the case. If you breadboard, skip down to Step Five and perform the remaining steps with the motherboard outside of the case. Breadboarding ensures that you are installing known good parts in the case. Finish up with this step in breadboarding (Thanks for the reminder jsc!!)
· Line up the
motherboard with the Rear I/O panel, so the components are showing through the
back side.
· Line up the
motherboard to the standoffs you installed in Step Two
of the guide.
· Place one
motherboard screw on each opposite ends of the motherboard to secure the
motherboard to your case.
· Install of
the required screws for your motherboard and tighten them down until the board
is secured to the case.
Step Five: Connect System Wires:
Case Connectors
· Review your
motherboard manual for specific locations of the case connections; example:
Power Switch, Reset Button, Hard Drive Activity, USB Headers, Front Speaker/Mic
connectors… etc.
· Route the
wires through the case to provide good cable management.
· Attach the
case connectors to the specific connectors on the motherboard
· Install the
Internal Case Speaker to the motherboard. This may or may not come with the
case, so an additional purchase may be required.
Hard Drive SATA/IDE Cable
· Connect the
drive cable to the motherboard. Most motherboards will recommend installing the
primary hard drive in SATA-0 on your motherboard. It is not a requirement but
is a good practice to follow. For IDE cables, install the cable to the
motherboard. Most modern motherboards only have one slot for IDE’s, so you
don’t have options.
· Route the
cable through the case to provide good cable management.
· Connect the
other end of the cable to the drive.
CD/DVD Drive SATA/IDE Cable
· Connect the
drive cable to the motherboard. For IDE cables, install the cable to the
motherboard. Most modern motherboards only have one slot for IDE’s, so you
don’t have options.
· Route the
cable through the case to provide good cable management.
· Connect the
other end of the cable to the drive.
Step Six: Install Video Card(s):
· Remove the
case expansion slot bracket, on the slot the video card is to be installed
· Install
your video card in the first PCI-e x16 slot, which is the one closest to your
CPU.
· Press down
on the video card, until it is fully seated. It may take more pressure than you
think, so don’t worry if it is a little hard to apply.
· Screw your
video card down to the case by placing a screw through the card into the case
expansion slot bracket and tighten it securely down.
· If you have
another video card, follow the above steps to install the card. Connect both
cards with the appropriate SLI or Crossfire bridges.
Step Seven: Connect Power Supply:
Hard Drive SATA/IDE Cable
Step Seven: Connect Power Supply:
Hard Drive SATA/IDE Cable
· Route the
appropriate SATA or Molex power supply connector through the case for proper
cable management.
· Connect the
appropriate SATA or Molex power supply connector to your device.
CD/DVD Drive SATA/IDE Cable
· Route the
appropriate SATA or Molex power supply connector through the case for proper
cable management.
· Connect the
appropriate SATA or Molex power supply connector to your device.
· Route the
Molex power supply connector through the case for proper cable management.
· Connect the
Molex power supply connector to your device.
Video Cards (If applicable)
Video Cards (If applicable)
· Route the
appropriate PCI-e power supply connector (6-Pin or 8-Pin [6+2-Pin])through the
case for proper cable management.
· Connect the
appropriate PCI-e power supply connector to your device. Your device may
require more than one PCI-e power supply connector. Please review your video
card requirements as part of purchasing your power supply.
Motherboard 20-pin/24-pin (20+4-pin) Power Cable
· Route the
power supply’s 20-pin/24-pin connector through the case for proper cable
management.
· Connect the
power connector to the motherboard. Make sure to line up the appropriate
“shapes” on the connectors to the connectors on the motherboard. It will take a
slight force to push the connector in but you shouldn’t have to force it in.
Motherboard 4-pin/8-pin (4+4-pin) Power Cable
· Route the
power supply’s 4-pin/8-pin connector through the case for proper cable
management.
· Connect the
power connector to the motherboard. Make sure to line up the appropriate
“shapes” on the connectors to the connectors on the motherboard. It will take a
slight force to push the connector in but you shouldn’t have to force it in.
Step Eight: Boot System for First Time: Updated
· Plug the
monitor cable into your graphics output source (on-board video or dedicated
GPU)
· Turn the
power switch on the PSU on, to provide power to your computer
· Press the
power button on the case to start the system up.
· Listen for
your Internal PC speaker to beep once, which means you have a successful first
boot. If your PC doesn’t post properly, I recommend reviewing shortstuff_mt’s thread on boot issues.
This thread provides very good details on trouble shooting when you have boot
issues after your build. You can contact technical support from your
motherboard manufacturer at this point, as well for additional help.
· During the
post session, press your “del” key or the appropriate key to enter into your
BIOS.
· Review
around your BIOS to make sure it has properly recognized your CPU, RAM, Hard
Drive… etc. You may have to manually adjust your RAM timings and voltage at
this point to have them set a Manufacturing specifications.
· Set your
boot sequence to boot from your CD/DVD drive first and hit the “F10” key to
save your updated BIOS.
Step Nine: Install Operating System / Drivers:
Operating System
Step Nine: Install Operating System / Drivers:
Operating System
· During the
reboot process after reviewing and updating your BIOS, install your OS disk
into your CD/DVD drive.
· When
prompted by the post process, hit a key to boot from your OS disk to begin the
install process.
· Follow the
one screen prompts from your operating system through the complete installation
of your operating system. Your PC may restart a few times through this process,
so don’t get worried. 
Motherboard/Video Card Drivers
Motherboard/Video Card Drivers
· Once the OS
installation have been complete, it is time to begin installing your other
drivers. I recommend installing updated drivers from the internet, over the CD.
I normally download all of the required drivers a head of time onto a flash
drive, so I use the current drivers.
· Install all
required motherboard drivers; chipset, audio, network… etc.
· Install the
required drivers for your video card(s)
· Install
your Virus Protection Software to protect your PC before going to the internet
for Windows updates
· Log onto
the internet and run all the required Windows updated, including any Service
Packs required for your operating system.
· After all
of the updated have been completed, don’t forget to go back into your BIOS and
reset the boot sequence to boot first from your hard drive going forward.
Step Ten: Test System and Have FUN!!
I recommend testing your system after all of the drivers have been installed and the system has been updated to make sure it is running stable.
Test your system
Step Ten: Test System and Have FUN!!
I recommend testing your system after all of the drivers have been installed and the system has been updated to make sure it is running stable.
Test your system
· Run
Prime95’s Blend Test for at least one hour and use one of the following
programs to monitor your temps; Real Temp, SpeedFan or Core Temp. This will
help determine if you system is running too hot and is unstable.
· Run
3DMark’s Vantage or 3DMark06 to benchmark your system to see how your new build
compares to similar systems.
· Option: Run MemTest86+ for seven passes to check
your memory for any possible errors. This isn't required unless you think there
might be an issue with your memory.
Download links for the above programs
Download links for the above programs
· SpeedFan
· CoreTemp
· Prime95
·
Futuremark's 3DMark11 (Win 7), 3DMark Vantage (Vista), or 3DMark06 (XP)
Have Fun!!
Have Fun!!
· Install all
other Office Programs, Games, Music, Videos… etc. you want to put onto your
system at this point
· START
HAVING FUN with your successful build and new PC!!
Here are some other useful guides in how to build a PC.
Here are some other useful guides in how to build a PC.
· Here is a
GOOD step-by-step. If you encounter anything in any other links that contradict
this, THIS is the right one. Sadly, no pics: http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_To_Assemble_A_Desktop_...
· Here is a
tutorial with pictures that shows how to put together a cheap PC. All parts are
cheap and you should NOT use the PSU they use: http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/build_a_500_p...
· This you
tube video has some good points, and is done with fairly modern equipment, all
new. The case he is using is a micro-ATX case from Antec: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdsUuWlhOvo
· This is a
good ariticle about "Building a PC: Step by Step Guide" using current
parts by DriverHeaven... http://www.driverheaven.net/articles.php?articleid=132&...
· This is a
good Tom's Hardware article about how to put a PC together... http://www.tomshardware.com/review_print.php?p1=1382
As with all new builds, I highly recommend doing your research before doing any build to determine what your needs are.
I have provided what I find to be useful sites and areas to look for those answers.
As with all new builds, I highly recommend doing your research before doing any build to determine what your needs are.
I have provided what I find to be useful sites and areas to look for those answers.
· Google
- If you can't find it there... than you probably won't find it anywhere...
· Overclocking and Benchmarking Guides
- This thread provides a very good guide to overclocking on different
platforms.
· CPU and Heatsink Lapping Guides -
These thread provides information on lapping CPU's and Heatsinks to help
improve the the thermal transfer between them.
· CPU Buyer's Guide 2.0 - This thread provides good
information on the end's & out's on what CPU to buy and related
information.
· Computer Power Supplies - A Guide -
This is a newer thread that has been created to provide a nice guideline for
ranked PSU's by AMP's and Tier Levels.
· Useful SSD Articles - Part 2
- This a good thread to research on Solid State Drives and what you need to
understand about them.
· Power Requirements and Specs for
Popular Graphics Cards Guide - This is a new thread providing
recommended power supply direction based on the graphics card you plan on
purchasing.
· FrostyTech
- Best Heat Sinks & PC Cooling - The website provides good
reviews and rankings on all things heatsinks.
· eXtreme Power Supply Calcuator Lite V2.5 - This
site is a very useful site when you are trying to figure out what your power
requirements are for your new build, so you get an idea on what PSU waltage you
will need.
· AnandTech:
- I find this site has very good links to multiple reviews from many different
sites you'll see referenced and pretty up-to-date on news.
· techPowerUp!
- I find this site has very good links to multiple reviews from many different
sites you'll see referenced and pretty up-to-date on news.
· JonnyGuru
- The website provides good reivews and rankings on power supplies.
· Mouse Ergonomics Guide from Razer - This is a
good guide in providing an understanding the different grip styles for a mouse.
Extras: – These are tools that are useful to have ready for use in your build.
Extras: – These are tools that are useful to have ready for use in your build.
· Internal PC Mini Speaker – Most cases now don’t
come with a case speaker, so one is required to help with troubleshooting, if
your PC doesn’t boot properly.
· 1ST PC CORP. 12" 8-pin EPS
extension cable Model CB-8M-8F - Retail - This is normally needed on
full size cases to help with the cable management.
· ICY DOCK MB882SP-1S-1B 2.5" to
3.5" SSD & SATA Hard Drive Converter - Black - Retail -
This will be required when you purchase a SSD to convert it to a 3.5"
drive for your case.
Final Results
Thanks for taking the time to read through my step-by-step guide!!
Final Results
Thanks for taking the time to read through my step-by-step guide!!
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