It all starts with the motherboard.
Building a computer from a multitude of parts is a bit like child birth. Once completed, the system will be unique and you will be glowing with accomplishment. Yet creating a system requires some difficult planning as you mix and match compatible parts under your budget. Once you have all the parts, assembling the PC is not difficult. MicroATX PCs are smaller and mainly used for entertainment systems or to provide portability.
Instructions
1. Collect all the parts. Do not unpackage them until they are needed. Set up a workplace, and start with the microATX PC chassis. Unscrew the back. Connect a static discharge strap to your wrist and to the chassis to avoid discharges that can damage components.
2. Open the processor package and place the motherboard on the work area. Align the processor pins to the socket on the motherboard and then lower it gently into the socket. Lower the lever to snap the CPU into place. The CPU is fragile so use the utmost care.
3. Add thermal compound to the back of the CPU. Spread the compound evenly over the back to ensure the heat is transferred effectively. Remove the CPU fan from its packaging and place it on top of the CPU. Mount the fan by connecting the snap cables, or metal clipping to the mounting brackets on the motherboard.
4. Connect the CPU fan power cable to the motherboard. The CPU fan uses a three- to four-pin connecting cable. The slot is found on the motherboard near the CPU. Remove the memory modules from their packaging.
5. Locate the DIMM or memory slots on the motherboard, usually found in the upper-right corner. Use your finger to press down on the end latches of slots. This will open up the slot to receive the memory module. Align the modules into the slot and gently press down on them. Memory modules have an indentation that you can use to ensure the memory will fit in. This same indentation can be found in the slot. This prevents you from inserting a memory module that is not compatible with the motherboard.
6. Place the motherboard into the microATX chassis so that all the screw holes line up with the screw risers on the chassis. Insert and tighten the screws, but not too tight because it can break the motherboard.
7. Install the power supply. Remove the power supply encasement by removing four to eight screws that are found on the edges of the encasement. Slide or drop the power supply into the encasement and then return the power supply encasement to the microATX chassis. Screw the encasement to the chassis so that the power supply is firmly locked in place.
8. Connect any PCI cards. Video cards are inserted into a PCI-Express slot on the motherboard's left side, close to the input output panel on the top-left corner of the motherboard.
9. Locate the hard drive bay. MicroATX cases sometimes use 3.5-inch hard drives or a 2.5-inch drive. The microATX chassis specifications will usually have the hard drive information noted. Place the hard drive into the drive bay and use four screws to secure the drive. Again, do not screw too tightly or you'll have problems if you need to remove the hard drive.
10. Locate the optical drive bay, where the CD/DVD drive will be inserted. Use four screws to secure the drive in the bay. Connect the thin SATA or broad IDE cable to the motherboard and then the optical drive. Connect the SATA or IDE cable to the motherboard and the hard drive.
11. Connect the 24-pin power connector to the motherboard, or if the motherboard requires a 20-pin connector, just remove the 4-pin extension connector. Connect a power cable to the chassis fan. This is usually a four-pin cable.
12. Connect the front panel data cables to the motherboard. These are the cables that power on the computer and allows you to press a button to force a shutdown. The data cables also include a meter that blinks the front LED when the hard drive is being accessed. The layout is different for every motherboard so you'll need to consult the chassis manual as well as motherboard manual.
13. Close the chassis by sliding back the removable panel and screwing the back of the case. Connect the 12-volt power cable to the back of the power supply. Flip the power switch on the supply.
14. Complete the installation by connecting a keyboard and mouse, attaching a monitor and inserting an operating system disc. Boot to this disc to install Windows. Keep this disc at hand for future needs.
Tags: hard drive, power supply, microATX chassis, cable motherboard, drive Connect, power cable, chassis that