Step by Step Guide to Building a PC

This is a Brief Step by Step Guide on how to Build a PC containing helpful tips, Simplified Steps, and Additional Information that will help you efficiently and safely build a PC.

Here are some tools you will and might need to build your PC. For safety concerns, I highly recommend you obtain and use a Anti Static Wristband for protection against Electrostatic Discharge which can be harmful to yourself and your components. The pictures above include items like a screwdriver which is needed for assembling and disassembling your PC. Next is a pair of needle nose pliers for installing standoffs for your motherboard. Without standoffs you will likely set off a electrostatic discharge that can permanently damage or destroy your components. Lastly, Thermal Paste for your CPU, thermal paste will help reduce high temperatures produced by your CPU.

For this step you will need your PC case and your PSU along with the screwdriver and screws. First, clip your grounder attached to your anti static wristband onto your PC case or mat. then, locate the slot that holds your PSU in place inside your case, make sure your power cable input for your PSU is below your rocker switch when the case is standing vertical. Even though you can put the PSU in the opposite way, the cables attached to the PSU will be easier to work with and sort with the recommended position. Once the PSU is lined up with the screw holes use your screwdriver and screws to secure it into that position, I recommend using 4 screws as it is more secure and safe. Next, sort your cables based on where they need to go on the Motherboard, guide your cables through sections inside the case to where they need to go. If you want your cables to be organized you can install velcro strips into your case to hold your cables in place.

For this step you will need your SSD and your SATA data cable. First, attach your SATA data cable to your SSD and then plug in the SATA power cable to your SSD located on your PSU. Then insert the SSD into one of the available slots next to the PSU.

For this step you will need your Motherboard, CPU, CPU fan, Isopropyl wipes, and Thermal Paste. First, place your Motherboard onto your safety mat, then unlock and open the CPU cover. Next, locate the highlighted triangle on the corner of the CPU, once found place the CPU into the CPU socket with the highlighted triangle facing the white triangle on the silhouette surrounding the CPU socket, if it is placed in wrong you will break it if you try to lock it into place. When you place the CPU into the socket the correct way close the CPU cover and lock it into place. Then using your Thermal Paste apply a pea-sized dot onto the center of your CPU, after you've applied the Thermal Paste take your CPU cooling fan and line up the four posts on the cooler with the holes on your Motherboard. When you have them aligned press the corners of the cooler until they clip into place, after they are all clipped in, twist the tops of the posts until it tightens the cooler onto the CPU surface.

For this step, all you will need is your RAM sticks. For faster speeds I would recommend you use 2 individual sticks adding up to the amount you want. Since these RAM sticks clip in a unique way you need to insert it at a angle. Make sure it is in the correct way since it is a keyed connection,

For this step you will need a screwdriver, pair of pliers, your Motherboard with Installed CPU and Cooler, and standoffs, IO shield and screws. First, take your pliers and insert your standoffs into holes in the case. Using the pliers twist the standoffs till they tighten onto the the surface of the case. Next, position your Motherboard on top of the standoffs that you installed and screw the Motherboard onto the standoffs make sure the IO shield is aligned with the correct inputs on the Motherboard.

For this step, you will be attaching the power cables you guided through the slots in your case from your PSU. First, find the 4/8 pin cable and plug it into the 4/8 input, it should be right next to the 4/8 input if you guided it through the case correctly. Second, locate the 20/24 power cable and plug it into the 20/24 input. Then plug the 4 pin cable connected to your CPU cooler to the 4 pin slot next to the cooler.

For this step, you will be guiding and plugging in your Front Panel Connections. First, locate your Front Panel Cables and then sort and plug them in based on what the text on the edge of the Motherboard labels. The labels should display each connection and you should easily be able to plug them in once you find them.

This is the final step to building your PC. First, screw the case on, then plug in a power cable to the PSU and connect either a HDMI, DVI, or Displayport cable to and from your PC to Monitor. Second, click the power on button located at the top of your PC case. Your PC fan(s) should start to spin and any lights will turn on as well as your Monitor, that should turn on too. Thank you for choosing this step by step guide to building your PC I hope this helped you a lot.