Build a PC Step #1 - Preparing the Computer Case and Motherboard

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Remove Side Panels And Prepare Case

To remove the side panels and prepare the case is fairly simple. Look at the back of the case and you will see some screws holding the case's sides on. Be careful not to unscrew the power supply on accident. When removing the cover be careful of any wires that may get caught on case itself. Not to hard is it? Note that some tool free cases may actually have clips rather than screws and some of the better cases come with locks. Forcing the case open without the key could, of course, damage it.

-Computer Case And Computer Power Supply Installation-

Inspect Case And Parts

Cases these days come with screws to attach components to it, such as hard disks and the motherboard. They also come with detailed instructions on how to assemble the power supply and info on the removable motherboard tray (if the case has one). Inside the case you will see connections coming from the bottom/top of the case, these are the power/reset/hard disk light/power light connectors. Also either coming from the top/bottom of the case will be more connectors, these are front USB/Sound/Firewire ports. These connectors will be fitted later on so just move them out of the way for now.

Pop Out Drive Covers

-On the front of the case there is a set of covers that are for your drives. If you only have one CD-ROM and one Floppy then pop out one big one (5 1/4") and one little one (3 1/2"). This is simple and you can match them up to your drives if needed. If you pop out to many don’t worry they go back in. Now on some case’s there are metal plates that protect the backside of these covers. If it is like this in your case then get a flat head screwdriver and work it back and forth till it gives. Not to hard is it? Be sure to read the case manual as some cases screw the drive covers in and you don't want to damage them trying to pull them out. Also, beware, this is the part of the case that tends to have sharp edges. Trying to work free the cover with your bare hands could result in some nasty cuts.

Match Motherboard Up

-New cases come with a pre-fitted I/O plate (the back of the case where peripherals plug into), nine times out of ten this plate will not fit your new motherboard. Motherboard manufactured include a I/O plate to fit the motherboard so that will need to be fitted. Its a simple case of matching it with the motherboard so its the right way up, and pushing/un-screwing the old one and putting the new one it its place. The shiny side of this plate usually faces out.

-Motherboard-

Install Motherboard Standoffs

-The standoffs are little screws with a male and female end. They are also called motherboard spacers. One end screws to the motherboard tray and the other end lines up with the motherboard holes so screws can secure the motherboard to the case. Screw the standoffs in the right place and set motherboard on top making sure they all match. Make sure no stand offs are in the wrong place as this could cause damage to the motherboard. If all is good then take motherboard out of case. We need to add some components to it before screwing it in.

-More on Motherboard -

Install power supply

-Some cases come with a PSU (power supply unit) installed, and some don't. It's usually the higher quality cases that don't include a power supply for various reasons. Every case has a different way of installing the PSU, some have removable PSU brackets that require you to install the bracket to the PSU 1st then the bracket the case. The case will tell you what is required and its recommended you read through it first.

Step #2 - Computer Processor and Computer Memory Installation