BUILD GUIDE STEPS 2-11 ======================== STEP 2: PREPARE THE CASE ------------------------- Title: Prepare the PC Case Description: Open the case and install necessary standoffs Duration: 10 minutes Difficulty: Easy Tools: Screwdriver, Motherboard standoffs Content: 1. Remove both side panels from the case 2. Lay the case on its side for easy access 3. Locate the motherboard mounting area 4. Install motherboard standoffs in the correct positions - Match the standoff positions with your motherboard size (ATX, Micro-ATX, etc.) - Hand-tighten the standoffs - don't use excessive force 5. Remove any unnecessary drive cages to improve airflow 6. Check that the I/O shield is ready (comes with motherboard) Tips: - Only install standoffs where your motherboard has mounting holes - Extra standoffs can cause electrical shorts - Keep all screws organized in a small container Warnings: - Never skip standoffs - they prevent motherboard shorts - Don't force standoffs - they should screw in smoothly - Remove protective film from case windows if present Image: /2nd-case.png STEP 3: INSTALL I/O SHIELD AND PREPARE MOTHERBOARD --------------------------------------------------- Title: Install I/O Shield and Prepare Motherboard Description: Install the I/O shield and prepare motherboard for installation Duration: 5 minutes Difficulty: Easy Tools: None (hands only) Content: 1. Take the I/O shield from your motherboard box 2. From inside the case, push the I/O shield into the rectangular opening at the back 3. Make sure it snaps firmly into place on all four sides 4. Press all edges until you hear clicks 5. Check that no metal tabs are bent inward (they can block ports) 6. Place the motherboard nearby for the next step Tips: - The I/O shield only fits one way - don't force it - Some I/O shields have foam padding - keep it in place - Ensure all port cutouts align properly Warnings: - Sharp edges on I/O shield - handle carefully - Make sure it's fully seated before proceeding - Metal tabs should point away from where ports will be Image: /3rd-io.png STEP 4: INSTALL CPU ON MOTHERBOARD ----------------------------------- Title: Install the Processor (CPU) Description: Install the CPU onto the motherboard socket Duration: 10 minutes Difficulty: Medium Tools: None (very gentle hands) Content: 1. Place motherboard on its box (anti-static surface) 2. Locate the CPU socket (large square with lots of pins/contacts) 3. Lift the retention arm/lever 4. For Intel: Lift the metal bracket For AMD: Just lift the lever 5. Align the CPU with the socket: - Look for the golden triangle on CPU corner - Match it with the triangle on the socket 6. Gently place the CPU - it should drop in with NO FORCE 7. Lower the retention arm back down Tips: - Never touch the bottom of the CPU (the pins/contacts) - The CPU should sit perfectly flat - If it doesn't drop in easily, you have the wrong orientation Warnings: - DO NOT FORCE THE CPU - it should seat naturally - Never touch the socket pins - Static electricity can damage the CPU - ground yourself first Image: /4th-cpu.png STEP 5: APPLY THERMAL PASTE AND INSTALL CPU COOLER -------------------------------------------------- Title: Apply Thermal Paste and Install CPU Cooler Description: Apply thermal paste and mount the CPU cooler Duration: 15 minutes Difficulty: Medium Tools: Thermal paste (if not pre-applied), Screwdriver Content: 1. Check if your cooler has pre-applied thermal paste - If YES: Skip to step 3 - If NO: Continue to step 2 2. Apply thermal paste to CPU: - Put a small pea-sized dot in the center of the CPU - Don't spread it - the cooler will do that 3. Remove any protective stickers from cooler base 4. Align the cooler with the mounting brackets 5. For Intel: Push down plastic push-pins in X pattern For AMD: Screw down in X pattern 6. Connect the CPU fan cable to CPU_FAN header on motherboard - Look for "CPU_FAN" label near the CPU socket Tips: - Less is more with thermal paste - pea-sized is enough - Tighten screws in X pattern (diagonal) for even pressure - The cooler should be firm but you shouldn't need excessive force Warnings: - Too much thermal paste can cause overheating - Make sure the cooler is firmly attached - Don't forget to plug in the CPU fan cable! Image: /5th-cooler.png STEP 6: INSTALL RAM MEMORY --------------------------- Title: Install RAM (Memory Modules) Description: Install RAM sticks into motherboard slots Duration: 5 minutes Difficulty: Easy Tools: None Content: 1. Locate the RAM slots (usually 2 or 4 slots near the CPU) 2. Open the locking clips on both ends of the slot 3. Check your motherboard manual for correct slot configuration - For 2 sticks: Usually use slots 2 and 4 (skip slot 1 and 3) - This enables dual-channel mode for better performance 4. Align the notch on the RAM stick with the notch in the slot 5. Press down firmly on both ends until the clips snap back up 6. You should hear a distinct "click" when properly seated Tips: - Match the notch - RAM only goes in one way - Press straight down with even pressure on both ends - The clips should automatically lock when fully seated Warnings: - Don't force at an angle - press straight down - Ensure RAM is fully seated - check both ends - Verify RAM speed matches your motherboard's capability Image: /6th-ram.png STEP 7: INSTALL M.2 SSD STORAGE -------------------------------- Title: Install M.2 SSD Description: Install M.2 NVMe SSD for fast storage Duration: 5 minutes Difficulty: Easy Tools: Small screwdriver Content: 1. Locate the M.2 slot on your motherboard - Usually below the CPU or between CPU and GPU area - Check motherboard manual if unsure 2. Remove the M.2 screw and standoff if present 3. Carefully insert the M.2 SSD at a 30-degree angle 4. The gold contacts should fully insert into the slot 5. Press down gently on the other end 6. Secure with the M.2 screw 7. Don't overtighten - just snug Tips: - Some motherboards have heatsinks for M.2 - use them if available - The SSD should sit flat when screwed down - Check which M.2 slot supports NVMe (faster than SATA) Warnings: - Don't force the SSD - it should slide in smoothly - The screw is tiny - don't lose it! - Ensure the SSD is NVMe for best performance Image: /7th-ssd.png STEP 8: MOUNT MOTHERBOARD INTO CASE ------------------------------------ Title: Install Motherboard into Case Description: Mount the prepared motherboard into the PC case Duration: 15 minutes Difficulty: Medium Tools: Screwdriver, Motherboard screws Content: 1. Verify all standoffs are in correct positions 2. Carefully lower the motherboard into the case 3. Align the back ports with the I/O shield cutouts 4. Push gently to ensure I/O shield is properly seated 5. Align motherboard holes with standoffs 6. Insert screws and hand-tighten first (don't fully tighten yet) 7. Once all screws are in, tighten in a star/diagonal pattern 8. Don't overtighten - just snug and secure Tips: - It may take a few attempts to align everything - The motherboard should sit flat against standoffs - All mounting holes should have screws Warnings: - Don't force the motherboard - adjust I/O shield if needed - Missing standoffs can cause motherboard to flex - Overtightening can crack the motherboard Image: /8th-mobo-install.png STEP 9: INSTALL POWER SUPPLY (PSU) ----------------------------------- Title: Install the Power Supply Description: Mount the PSU and route main cables Duration: 15 minutes Difficulty: Medium Tools: Screwdriver, PSU screws Content: 1. Identify PSU mounting location (usually bottom or top rear) 2. Determine fan orientation: - If PSU at bottom with vent: Fan facing DOWN (intake from outside) - If PSU at top: Fan facing UP (intake from inside case) 3. Slide PSU into position 4. Align screw holes 5. Secure with 4 screws from outside the case 6. Route the main cables through cable management holes: - 24-pin ATX power (largest cable) - 8-pin CPU power (4+4 cable) 7. Leave cables loose for now - we'll connect them later Tips: - Fan should intake cool air from outside case when possible - Route cables behind motherboard tray for clean look - Don't plug in PSU yet - wait until everything is installed Warnings: - Make sure PSU switch is set to OFF - Don't plug into wall outlet yet - Check that voltage switch matches your country (110V or 220V) Image: /9th-psu.png STEP 10: INSTALL GRAPHICS CARD (GPU) ------------------------------------- Title: Install Graphics Card Description: Install the GPU into PCIe slot Duration: 10 minutes Difficulty: Medium Tools: Screwdriver Content: 1. Locate the PCIe x16 slot (top/long slot, usually closest to CPU) 2. Remove the corresponding slot covers from the back of the case - Usually 2 or 3 slots depending on GPU size 3. Press down the PCIe slot locking clip 4. Align the GPU with the slot 5. Press down firmly until you hear a click - The locking clip should snap back up 6. Secure the GPU bracket to the case with screws 7. Don't connect power cables yet - next step Tips: - Remove GPU from anti-static bag just before installation - The GPU should be level and fully seated - Large GPUs may sag - consider a support bracket Warnings: - Don't force the GPU - it should slide in smoothly - Ensure the locking clip fully engages - Check GPU power requirements (6-pin, 8-pin, or both) Image: /10th-gpu.png STEP 11: CONNECT ALL POWER CABLES AND CASE CONNECTORS ------------------------------------------------------ Title: Connect All Cables Description: Connect power cables and front panel connectors Duration: 20 minutes Difficulty: Medium-Hard Tools: None (patience required!) Content: POWER CABLES: 1. Connect 24-pin ATX power to motherboard (largest connector) 2. Connect 8-pin CPU power (near top of motherboard, labeled "CPU_PWR") 3. Connect GPU power cables (6-pin and/or 8-pin as required) 4. Connect SATA power to any SATA drives if you have them CASE CABLES (Front Panel Connectors): Check motherboard manual for exact location (usually bottom-right) 5. Connect USB 3.0 header (blue connector from case to "USB 3.0" on motherboard) 6. Connect USB 2.0 header (from case to "USB" on motherboard) 7. Connect HD Audio header (from case to "AUDIO" on motherboard) 8. Connect front panel connectors (small cables): - PWR_SW (Power Switch) - most important! - RESET_SW (Reset Switch) - PWR_LED+ and PWR_LED- (Power LED) - HDD_LED+ and HDD_LED- (Activity LED) FANS: 9. Connect case fans to CHA_FAN or SYS_FAN headers Tips: - Take a photo of motherboard manual's connector diagram - Power cables only fit one way - don't force - Front panel connectors are tiny - use tweezers if needed - +/- polarity matters for LEDs (but won't damage if wrong) Warnings: - Double-check CPU power cable (8-pin) is NOT a PCIe cable - Make sure all power connectors click into place - Don't bend pins on front panel connectors - PWR_SW must be connected or PC won't turn on Image: /11th-cables.png FINAL STEP: CLOSE CASE AND FIRST BOOT -------------------------------------- 1. Tuck all excess cables behind the motherboard tray 2. Do a final visual check: ✓ All power cables connected ✓ All fans connected ✓ RAM fully seated ✓ GPU fully seated and secured ✓ No loose screws inside case 3. Replace side panels and secure with screws 4. Connect monitor to GPU (NOT motherboard!) 5. Connect keyboard and mouse 6. Plug PSU into wall outlet 7. Turn on PSU switch (back of PSU) 8. Press the power button! If it boots to BIOS: SUCCESS! 🎉 If not: Check power cables first (most common issue) Congratulations! You've built your first PC!