Assembling a PC

When buying a new PC, everyone is faced with the choice between a branded and an assembled one. Those who don’t want to go through the daunting task of shopping for components and assembling the PC themselves, often choose an easy way out by opting for a branded PC. There are very few adventurous ones who upgrade or build their own PC.

There are more drawbacks than advantages in buying a branded pre-built or a customized PC. No doubt that you won’t have to worry about maintenance. However, you’ll be stranded if the company technician doesn’t turn up on time. Also, you cannot tinker with the hardware or resort to your tech-savvy friends or some technician in case of emergencies. Finally, service and upgrades are heavy on the pocket. With an assembled PC, the biggest advantage is that you can pick the components of your choice to suit your budget and requirements. Unlike branded PCs, you have the freedom to troubleshoot problems and upgrade hardware yourself as and when you like—and that too without paying any service fee.

So how about assembling your own PC? Sounds interesting, doesn’t it? Even if you’re a first timer, you’ll still be able to assemble a PC unerringly by reading this lucid step-by-step guide. This guide can not only be used to build a new PC but also be referred to if you are planning to upgrade a few components such as the processor, memory or graphics card. With regards to choosing the components, you can refer to the PC Configs in the Hardware section of the magazine.

Finally, this guide assumes that you know how to install the operating system. If you don’t know, you can seek the help of a technician or a friend who is willing to spend a couple of hours installing the operating system.

Are you ready for the ride? So roll up your sleeves, grab a screwdriver and let’s get started!

The ingredients
Just like you need certain ingredients to prepare a dish, you need the following components to build a PC—processor, motherboard, memory (RAM) modules, graphics card, optical drive, PC case, power supply unit, monitor, speakers, mouse, and keyboard. Also, note that you need a graphics card only if your motherboard doesn’t have integrated graphics or if you’re a gamer. Likewise, you need a power supply unit only if your PC case doesn’t come fitted with one. Most entry-level PC cases come fitted with a power supply unit. However, such power supply units are only suitable for entry-level PCs. Therefore we would suggest you invest in a good power supply unit if you want to build a powerful PC. Lastly, you also need a Philips screwdriver and some cable ties.

Preparing for take off
On unpacking the PC case, you will come across a packet that contains screws and mounting nuts. Empty the contents in a small tray. If the bundled power supply unit didn’t come fitted to the PC case, keep it aside. To begin with, unpack the motherboard to find a back plate. This plate is meant for covering the rear panel of the motherboard except the essential ports and connectors so that dust doesn’t creep into the case. The back plate should fit into the slot provided on the rear panel of the case. If you find that the slot is sealed by a metal plate, then you need to extract it using a pair of pliers. While you are fitting the back plate, you must ensure that the openings correspond to the ports and connectors on the motherboard’s rear panel. This is very important because none of the essential ports and connectors should be blocked by the back plate.

Installing the motherboard
In order to fit the motherboard into the case, you first have to fit mounting nuts in the holes provided on the case’s motherboard panel. While you are placing the motherboard on the motherboard panel aligned to the back plate you just fitted, note the spots where you need to fit mounting nuts. You can locate these easily by looking through the screw holes that are provided on the motherboard. After fastening the mounting nuts with a pair of pliers, fit the motherboard into the case using screws that match the screw threading on top of the mounting nuts—note that using wrong screws may result in the screws jamming into the mounting nut. Completely tightening the screws might result in unwanted stress by the graphics card or other add-on cards. Therefore, do not tighten the screws completely. Also, ensure that the screws are used in the right places.

Install the processor
Depending on which processor you have purchased, follow the relevant step: INTEL PROCESSORS: You have to release the lever of the CPU socket and then lift the socket cover that opens up from the opposite side. You will find a golden triangle on one of the top corners of the processor. Align the triangle with a similar golden triangle on the CPU socket and then fit the processor into the socket. Now, close the socket cover and fasten it with the lever. Note that you will find the lever is offering some resistance now.
AMD PROCESSORS: With AMD processors, you have to release the lever of the CPU socket. You will find a golden triangle on one of the top corners of the processor. Align the triangle with a similar golden triangle on the CPU socket and then fit the processor into the socket. The processor should gently slide into the socket. Push down the lever into its place.

Install the CPU cooler
If you have purchased an AMD processor, fitting the CPU cooler will be a cakewalk for you. You simply have to place it on the processor with the lever towards the center of the motherboard. Then fit the clips and carefully push the lever down. Finally, you have to connect the fan connector to the CPU fan header on the motherboard.
Fitting an Intel CPU cooler is a tricky affair. Place the CPU cooler on the processor with the fasteners on the corners aligned to the holes surrounding the CPU socket. Push down each fastener while holding the CPU cooler in place. You should hear a click when the fasteners clamp to the motherboard. After ensuring that the fasteners are in place, connect the fan to the motherboard’s CPU fan header. The CPU fan header is usually labelled and placed quite close to the CPU socket.

Install the optical drive
To install an optical drive, you will have to first remove the 5.25-inch bay cover where you wish to fit the optical drive from the front of the PC case. There is chance that you will find a metal plate behind the bay cover. You will have to remove that cover also. Now, insert the optical drive from the front and push it back until the front panel of the drive is in level with the front surface of the case. Fasten the drive with screws from both sides to keep it stable. You can follow the same steps to fit an additional optical drive or a floppy drive or a 3.5-inch internal card reader. Note that 3.5-inch drives, such as the floppy drive fit in the exposed 3.5-inch bays. To finish the installation, you have to connect the drives to the motherboard with the bundled IDE and floppy drive cables. If you have two optical drives fit them in alternate bays in order to ensure proper air circulation within the case.

Install the hard drive
You have to be careful while handling hard drives because they are delicate and could be easily damaged. Therefore, make sure that they don’t receive any shocks during installation. To ensure its safety, hold the hard drive with the circuitry facing down and gently slide it into the lowermost concealed 3.5-inch bay. Note that you don’t open a cover and push the hard disk inside, but you fix it inside the case itself. Hard drives are delicate, so ensure that you don’t jerk it too hard while sliding it into the bay. Fasten it with screws on both the sides to prevent imbalance and hold it firmly in place. Note that screws used for fastening hard drives and optical drives are different—screws meant for hard drives are thicker than those meant for optical drives and floppy drives. Now connect one end of the SATA/IDE cable to a port behind the drive and the other end to the SATA/IDE port on the motherboard

Install the memory
Because most motherboards (Intel and AMD-based) support DDR2 memory, there’s only one way to install memory modules. If you closely observe the side on which contacts are present, you will notice a cut that divides that side into two different lengths. The memory slot is designed accordingly. Hence, memory modules fit into the slots only in one direction. To install the memory module, first release the plastic levers, align the memory module to the slot, and push it down gently until the levers click and lock the module. If you have two similar memory modules, install them in similar-colored slots so that they run in dual-channel. Some motherboards (especially the ones by MSI) support dual-channel in odd-colored slots—refer to the motherboard’s manual for confirmation. Installing memory modules shouldn’t be a tough task as the method is quite straightforward.

Install the add-on cards
There are plenty of add-on cards available in the market for extending the versatility of the PC. These add-on cards include graphics cards, LAN cards, sound cards, TV tuner cards, Wi-Fi PCI cards and so on. If you have any of these cards, install them now. First, break open the slot cover on the rear panel of the case covering the slot that will be occupied by the card. Next, slide the card into the appropriate slot by gently rocking it back and forth so as to ease it into the slot. After fitting the card into the slot, fasten it with a screw to hold it in place. After you have fitted all the cards, tighten all the screws holding the motherboard which were left loose (While fitting the motherboard, screws were not tightened completely. If you are in doubt, refer to step three where fitting the motherboard is explained).

Front panel header and front USB headers
For the power and reset buttons, internal beeper, and the power and hard drive activity lights to function, you will need to connect the respective connectors within the case to the front panel header on the motherboard. To connect the labeled connectors to the right pins, you will have to refer to the page in the motherboard manual which explains the layout of the pins in the front panel header. In similar fashion, you will have to refer to the motherboard manual also to locate the front USB headers and connect the front USB connector or wires. If your PC case has audio jacks on the front panel, you can enable it by connecting its wires to the front panel audio header on the motherboard. WARNING: Don’t try out any connection without referring to the motherboard manual. Read the manual carefully as you could damage the motherboard beyond repair due to wrong connections.

Install the PSU and plug in the power connectors
If the power supply didn’t come installed within the case or you’ve purchased it separately, install it in the bay at the top rear corner of the case. When done, connect the power connectors in the following order—20/24-pin main, 4/8-pin 12 v, graphics card, optical drive, floppy disk drive, hard drive, and case fans. Plugging in the power connectors should not be a problem as they fit only in one direction. When done, tie up all the excess and loosely hanging power cables with cable ties. This will facilitate air circulation within the case and prevent excessive heat building up within the case. Proper air circulation and cooling of PC components is very important because overheating can potentially damage critical components such as the processor, memory, and the graphics cards. That completes the main assembly. Now, close the case and get ready for action!

Connect the rest
Now all that remains is connecting the outer peripherals. Depending on the interface of the keyboard and mouse (PS/2 or USB), plug them into the relevant ports on the motherboard’s rear panel. Connect the monitor’s video cable to the D-sub/DVI port on the graphics card or motherboard (in the case of integrated graphics). Connect the speakers/headset and the microphone to the audio jacks on the rear panel of the motherboard or the sound card. Finally, connect the power cables to the power supply unit, monitor, and other peripherals such as the printer. Power up the machine, install the operating system, device drivers, and the desired applications (If you have no idea about installing the operating system, seek the help of technician or a friend), and voila!. You’re ready to go!