Constructing a computer as a central media center server enables you to host all of your digital files in a single repository, allowing all connected network computers to access the files at any time. This requires you to install a powerful processor, substantial amount of memory and a fairly robust hard drive in the computer to handle the requests. The build process takes between two to four hours depending on your comfort working with computers.
Instructions
1. Mount the motherboard in the case by aligning the holes in the motherboard with the holes in the case and screwing it into position.
2. Insert the Intel Core i7 processor in the central processing unit (CPU) slot. Lock it into place by using the metal lever on the side of the slot and install the fan according to the directions that came with your specific Core i7 model.
3. Insert the four to six gigabytes of random access memory (RAM) into the memory slots next to the processor slot. Press down until they lock into place.
4. Screw the optical drive and the 500 gigabyte to 1 terabyte (TB) hard drive into the bay at the front of the case. Connect both to the motherboard via serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) cable.
5. Screw the power supply into the back of the case. Connect the power leads to the motherboard, hard drive, case fans and optical drive.
6. Load the media files onto the media server and hook it up to the network.
Tags: hard drive, case Connect, into place, optical drive