Step-by-Step Guide to Building a PC

Step-by-Step Guide to Building a PC
Last Updated on November 6, 2010

This thread is to provide a step-by-step guide to how to build a PC. These are the general steps required in building a PC, which can be performed what sequence you feel best fits your needs.

• Step One: Choosing your components:
• Step Two: Prepare your case:
• Step Three: Install components on motherboard (outside of case):
• Step Four: Install Motherboard into case:
• Step Five: Connect System Wires:
• Step Six: Install Video Card(s):
• Step Seven: Connect Power Supply:
• Step Eight: Boot System for First Time:
• Step Nine: Install Operating System / Drivers:
• Step Ten: Test System and Have FUN!!

Step One: Choosing your components:
Here are the components I have selected for this build: (First build since I decided to create this guide)

• CPU: AMD Athlon II X4 620 Propus 2.6GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Processor - Retail
• MOBO: GIGABYTE GA-MA785GMT-UD2H AM3 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
• RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL7D-4GBRH - Retail
• HSF: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7 compatible RR-B10-212P-GP 120mm "heatpipe direct contact" Long ... - Retail
• HDD: Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
• PSU: Antec earthwatts EA430 430W Continuous Power ATX12V v2.0 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
• GPU: XFX HD-465X-YAF2 Radeon HD 4650 512MB 128-bit DDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
• DVD: Sony Optiarc 24X DVD/CD Rewritable Drive Black SATA Model AD-7240S-0B - OEM
• Case: Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
• Thermal Compound: Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM

Other links to help with deciding on what components to get.

• Recommended Builds by Usage – This thread provides a very good guide of types of builds by usage at different price points.
• *How To Ask For New Build Advice* - This is the best thread to review how to ask for advice and is a required format to get the best answers.
• *Guide to Choosing Parts* - This thread provides a very good guide in choosing parts and provides many important links and ideas.
• Homebuilt PC Buying Guide - This thread provides a good guide in choosing parts for a new build.
• Best Of Tom’s Hardware: Beginner’s Guide To Motherboard Selection - This is a great Tom's Hardware article on what to think about and look for when choosing a motherboard.

Remember from this point forward to ground yourself by touching the metal case before you handle any of your computer’s electronic components, it saves them from possible static discharge which can destroy hardware. Some people find it useful to use a Anti-static wrist band but I leave that to the individual, as I don't find them necessary, as long as you continue to touch the metal of your case.

Step Two: Prepare your case:
In this step you want to get your case ready for the install. Others may have different opinions on what should or shouldn’t be done at this stage but these are the steps I undertake when building a PC.

• Remove both side panels off of the case.
• Determine how to route your case wires to provide good cable management.

Ready your case for your motherboard

• Remove your motherboard from the box and protective covering.
• Place the motherboard in the case to line up where the standoffs need to be placed.
• Place the standoffs on the case in the locations matching up with your motherboard

Install Power Supply
I choose to install the PSU during this phase of the process, so I can start planning in my mind how my cable management is going to flow for the build.

• Remove the PSU from the box.
• Place the PSU inside of the case and line up the with “PSU hole” on the case. Some cases have the PSU mounted at the top of the case, while others have it mounted at the bottom. For this build, the PSU is mounted at the bottom in the Antec 300
• Connect the proper screws through the case to securely mount the PSU to the case.
• Prepare the power supply cables for possible cable management. 1) For cases with room behind the MOBO tray, I recommend routing all of the wires through the opening in the top/bottom, so when you place the components inside the case, you can route them back inside the case for good cable management. 2) For cases with no room behind the MOBO tray, there isn’t much you can to prior with the cables to so just have them all setting outside of the case, as the case is laying on it’s side.

Install Hard Drive

• Remove the HDD from the box/protective covering.
• Remove HDD cage from case, if applicable.
• Place drive into the internal 3.5” slot, in the appropriate location on your case. For my build, I’m installing in the lower HDD cage in the Antec 300.
• Use the appropriate screws to screw the drive into the internal 3.5” slot. This isn’t required if you are using a tool less case or a “hot swaps” internal enclosure.
• Install the HDD cage back into the case, if applicable.

Install CD/DVD Drive

• Remove the drive from the box/protective covering.
• Remove the front of the case to gain access to the external 5.25" panels, if applicable
• Remove the appropriate bezel from the case in the location you want to install the drive.
• Place drive into the external 5.25" slot, in the appropriate location on your case. For my build, I’m installing in the third slot down from the top in the Antec 300.
• Use the appropriate screws to screw the drive into the external 5.25" slot. This isn’t required if you are using a tool less case.
• Install the front of the case back on, if applicable.

Install Rear I/O Panel

• Remove the generic I/O panel that comes to stock with your case. It may take a little more force than you think to remove.
• Install the Rear I/O panel that comes with your motherboard. Install it so you can read the text when the case is laying flat were the motherboard would be facing up. As with removing, it may take a little more force than you think to install it on to your case.

Step Three: Install components on motherboard (outside of case):
In this step you want to get your motherboard ready by installing components that are best install outside of the case; CPU, CPU Heatsink Fan and Memory.

Install CPU

• Remove the CPU from the box/protective covering.

Intel

• Unlock the CPU socket arm. Generally there will be a small plastic or metal arm that lies on the side of the CPU socket. To unlock it, just push it out and then pull it up.
• Remove the CPU socket cover.
• Align the triangle on the top of the CPU to with the corresponding corner on your motherboard's CPU socket and gently lower the CPU into the socket. Be aware, there should be no pushing or snapping involved in this process. The CPU, if correctly aligned, should simply fall (gently!) into place.
• Lower and lock the socket arm, which in turn will lock your CPU into your motherboard.

AMD

• Unlock the CPU socket arm. Generally there will be a small plastic or metal arm that lies on the side of the CPU socket. To unlock it, just push it out and then pull it up.
• Align the triangle on the top of the CPU to with the corresponding corner on your motherboard's CPU socket and gently lower the CPU into the socket. Be aware, there should be no pushing or snapping involved in this process. The CPU, if correctly aligned, should simply fall (gently!) into place.
• Lower and lock the socket arm, which in turn will lock your CPU into your motherboard.

Install RAM – Review your motherboard manual for specifics on what slots to use.
Updated: Moved to recommend installing RAM before installing the heat sink to help with the large heat sinks blocking RAM slots close to the motherboard. (Thanks for the recommendation sevyr)

• Remove the RAM from the box/protective covering.
• Push back the memory clips on the specific slots you are installing them on
• Place the memory into the slots and push down on the RAM sticks. It may take a little more force than you think to push them fully into the slots. The memory clips should lock when you push the RAM in completely.

Install Heat Sink – Review your manual for specifics for your heat sink!
Here is a more detailed guide on installing the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus... Installing the Cooler Master Hyper 212+

• Remove the heat sink from the box/protective covering.
• Prepare the heat sink bracket and screws.
• Install the motherboard mounting bracket on the back of the motherboard.
• Apply proper amount of thermal compound to the bottom of the CPU/heat sink (remember to remove the protective covering on the heat sink first… ). Most common method is to apply a pea size dot to the center of the CPU. With newer HDT coolers, I recommend using this method… Proximon’s guide on to how to apply thermal past to Heatpipe Direct Touch (HDT) coolers
• Apply the heat sink to the top of the CPU.
• Attach the screws to the motherboard mounting bracket to secure the heat sink. Once you have the screws started, slightly twist the heat sink side to side to help with spreading out the thermal compound. I recommend tightening the heat sink down using a criss-cross tightening method (1-3-2-4). You want to repeat the tightening steps 4 or more times until the heat sink is firmly secured to the motherboard. Don't tighten one screw down at a time.
• Connect the fan(s) to the heat sink, if applicable.
• Connect the heat sink fan power connector to the appropriate CPU FAN slot on the motherboard.

Step Four: Install Motherboard into case:
Some builders recommend breadboarding their system prior to installing into the case. If you breadboard, skip down to Step Five and perform the remaining steps with the motherboard outside of the case. Breadboarding ensures that you are installing known good parts in the case. Finish up with this step in breadboarding (Thanks for the reminder jsc!!)

• Line up the motherboard with the Rear I/O panel, so the components are showing through the back side.
• Line up the motherboard to the standoffs you installed in Step Two of the guide.
• Place one motherboard screw on each opposite ends of the motherboard to secure the motherboard to your case.
• Install of the required screws for your motherboard and tighten them down until the board is secured to the case.

Step Five: Connect System Wires:
Case Connectors

• Review your motherboard manual for specific locations of the case connections; example: Power Switch, Reset Button, Hard Drive Activity, USB Headers, Front Speaker/Mic connectors… etc.
• Route the wires through the case to provide good cable management.
• Attach the case connectors to the specific connectors on the motherboard
• Install the Internal Case Speaker to the motherboard. This may or may not come with the case, so an additional purchase may be required.

Hard Drive SATA/IDE Cable

• Connect the drive cable to the motherboard. Most motherboards will recommend installing the primary hard drive in SATA-0 on your motherboard. It is not a requirement but is a good practice to follow. For IDE cables, install the cable to the motherboard. Most modern motherboards only have one slot for IDE’s, so you don’t have options.
• Route the cable through the case to provide good cable management.
• Connect the other end of the cable to the drive.

CD/DVD Drive SATA/IDE Cable

• Connect the drive cable to the motherboard. For IDE cables, install the cable to the motherboard. Most modern motherboards only have one slot for IDE’s, so you don’t have options.
• Route the cable through the case to provide good cable management.
• Connect the other end of the cable to the drive.

Step Six: Install Video Card(s):

• Remove the case expansion slot bracket, on the slot the video card is to be installed
• Install your video card in the first PCI-e x16 slot, which is the one closest to your CPU.
• Press down on the video card, until it is fully seated. It may take more pressure than you think, so don’t worry if it is a little hard to apply.
• Screw your video card down to the case by placing a screw through the card into the case expansion slot bracket and tighten it securely down.

• If you have another video card, follow the above steps to install the card. Connect both cards with the appropriate SLI or Crossfire bridges.

Step Seven: Connect Power Supply:
Hard Drive SATA/IDE Cable

• Route the appropriate SATA or Molex power supply connector through the case for proper cable management.
• Connect the appropriate SATA or Molex power supply connector to your device.

CD/DVD Drive SATA/IDE Cable

• Route the appropriate SATA or Molex power supply connector through the case for proper cable management.
• Connect the appropriate SATA or Molex power supply connector to your device.

Open for future growth as needed

Done...

nice job

+1

Thanks for all that work techmo34! This is a needed sticky in this forum. Well done.

I will PM Randomizer... I have been dealing with 4ryan6 for some technical issues with the thread, since he stickied my other thread.

I'll let you know about OCing. The build is for my daughter (5 years old) as an early X-mas present (Got the itch to build now & not closer to X-mas ). I haven't played with OCing much on this build at this point but will I've seen a few references to 3.1 GHz with no problem. I'll look for around 3.2 GHz when I OC.

I went with the Antec PSU because it was a combo with the Antec 300 Illusion... Good deal price!!!

Great work tecmo. You certainly have a passion for this.

Hey randomizer, how bout getting this guy and proximon some teacher badges!!!!

Nice!!!

1) It is compatible with the AM3 socket per the specifications. See the specification tab... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835103065
2) It is the best price to performance air cooler you can purchase... IMO

The description says socket 1156 because it was the first specific HSF to hit the market that was compatible with the new socket. It still is designed for the AM3 socket, as well as the other major sockets.

Very nice! I'll be using this guide on monday when I start putting my computer together!

Thanks for the additional links to other guides on how to build a PC..

cool. will come in useful for when I start to build computers after i have bought my holden VX commodore.

^If you PM one of them, the moderators can switch it for you.

Thanks for a detailed guide, am sure it would help a lot of people like me. I have following doubts:

a) I never did a current generation new system build till date (only partial P-III, Intel Dual core PCs etc). Am not that confident of doing myself due to electrostatic shock or component damage by wrong installation etc. How to overcome this problem?

b) I am planning to build a high end PC based on i5-750 and gigabyte/asus MOBO. Please suggest what specific model should i go with to cover the upcoming USB 3.0 support etc?

c) Lastly, am not impressed with Vista SP1. Should i buy a new copy of WinXP SP3 64bit or Windows 7 Professional 64 bit (am apprehensive of using a MS OS till it releases SP1)? What do you suggest on this?

Thanks again.

~akula2

I am very much disappointed by reading this on this thread => http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] uyer-guide

"The LGA1156 platform is suspended from recommendation due to reports of faulty sockets not providing enough contacts, and frying CPUs under heavy load. The faulty sockets are manufactured by Foxconn, but they are used in almost all p55 motherboards. At the moment, most failures have been on highly overclocked systems, but until the extent of the problem is known, this CPU (and socket) will be off the recommended list."

Kindly suggest should I wait till January 2010 or not, it's matter of $1400 plus planned investment


Thank you very much,

~Akula2

I never tried a evga board till date, are they on par with Gigabyte or Asus?

What about Intel High end boards like this one => http://www.intel.com/products/desk [...] erview.htm ?

Because of this Foxconn issue my plans have gone haywire as am supposed to make a decision on this custom configured almost high end PC...

Thanks,
~akula2

+1 Evga, they make very good boards.

akula2,

Please start a specific thread on this subject instead of posting the same questions in three stickies. You will get better feedback by doing so and have all info. in one thread.

Thanks,

Doug (Tecmo34)

Thank You!!!

It is comments & success stories like yours and Reanimation that make doing this sticky worth the effort!!

Say congrats to your Dad for me and I hope he enjoys his proud new build!

Anyone else having a hard time printing this out? The first page looked great and then the next few pages show double images and double text slightly skewed. any suggestions?

btw - looks like an awesome guide and it gives this complete novice at PC building confidence to give it a go.

Thanks a lot for this guide! I'll definatly be reading this again when all my parts come in for my build.

Amazing thread Tecmo, thank you SO MUCH!
I am currently installing drivers and testing software on my first home-built computer, and it went smoothly thanks to you. Incase you care it's a workstation with: i7 920, Gigabyte EX58-UD5 MOBO, 12g 1600mhz OCZ RAM, and Nvidia Quadro FX1800.


The only suggestion I can make is that you organize step 10 so that people don't download/install redundant software. I downloaded all of them before I read what they were, and proceeded to feel dumb when I realized they were for the same stuff lol

Thank you for this guide, I am building my first desktop and expect this to be very useful.

One thing in step 9 re installing o/s is it possible to use a re-installation disk(xp pro)?