The Materials You Need To Build a Computer Step By Step 

1. Tools

- Philips Crosshead Screwdriver

- Overhead light source
- Tweezers
- Wrist strap to attach you to case

2. Hardwares

- PC Case
- Floppy Disk Drive
- CD Rom Drive
- Hard Drive
- Motherboard
- Processor
- Processor Heat Sink
- RAM
- Power Supply
- Video Card
- Keyboard and Mouse

3. Softwares

- Operating System
- Drivers
- motherboard CD

4. Cables

- Drive Cables
- Screws
- CPU Cooling Compound
- Power Cords for computer and monitor

Step 1 - Installing The Power Supply Unit, CPU and Heat

Sink Onto The Motherboard 

First of all, unscrew the four to six screws and remove the
case cover. Lay the case on the side with the metal back plate facing up. Some cases come with a
pre-installed PSU but some others do not. To install a PSU, simply slide the PSU into place with
the wires facing forward into the case and the fan blowing out the back. Secure it in place with
some screws so that it does not move.

Set the voltage to 220 in the UK, 120 USA. The back plate may need changing to match your
motherboard. To do this, break off the old plate and take the new plate and install it in place of
the old one.

The motherboard should be sat on a secure surface in/on the antistatic bag. To install the CPU,
ensure that the lever on the motherboard is up. Take the processor out of the box by touching the
edges of the chip. Place this into the socket by matching pin 1 to the correct place on
motherboard. Usually a gold arrow lines up with another mark on the socket. Once in place, push
the lever arm down to lock the processor in place.

Next, install the Heat Sink onto the processor. Before this commences, clean the processor with a
lint free cloth to remove dust and finger oil. Take the cooling compound and squirt a small
amount onto the processor directly taking care not to use too much as it may go over the edges.
Spread this evenly over the surface of the processor. Take the Heat Sink and place it directly on
top of the processor pushing down slightly to ensure good connection between the
processor/compound and Heat Sink. Using the clips on either side of the Heat Sink, secure this
on top of the processor. Ensure that no cooling compound has leaked from the sides otherwise
you have to start all over again and clean both the Processor and Heat Sink. Once the Heat Sink
is in place, plug in the power cord attached to it into the motherboard.

Step 2 - Installing Memory Modules (RAM) and

Motherboard Into The Case 

First, attach the antistatic wrist strap to an unpainted

metal surface to earth yourself and discharge and static built up. On the motherboard you should
see the slot for the memory module.

Ensure that the clips at both ends are open. In other words, tilted backwards. Pick up the memory
module by the edges and place it into the slot by lining up the notches and making sure the both
ends are in the clips. Push down firmly and the clips should "pop" shut. This shall end the
installation of the memory part.

By now, the motherboard should have the processor, Heat Sink and memory installed. The next
step will be to place the motherboard into the case. First, look at the holes on the motherboard
and the holes on the motherboard plate in the case. Take the motherboard standoff screws and
screw them into the motherboard plate in line with the holes on the motherboard. Once this is
accomplished, take the motherboard and place it into the case with the inputs and outputs facing
toward the back of the case. These should fit into the back plate of the case. Take some screws
and screw the motherboard into the stand offs. Accomplished.

Step 3 - Connecting The Motherboard To The Case Wires

and PSU 

Connect the 20/24 Pin connector from the power supply to

the motherboard. Plug in another 4 Pin connector to power the CPU.

The case should also have a set of wires which will plug into the motherboard. You may need to
refer to the manual supplied with your motherboard to install these correctly.

Usually the connector labeled PWR_SW is the power switch and RST is the RESET button. The
Power LED and Hard Drive LED must also be attached.

Step 4 - Installation of The Floppy Drive, Hard Drive and

CD ROM Drive 

1. Floppy Drive

First, select which drive bay you want the floppy drive in and remove the face plate on the case.

Slide the drive in from the front and make sure it lines up with the face plate along with the
screw holes on the mounting rack. Screw the drive in place.

Connect the power supply to the floppy drive using the smallest connector coming out from the
PSU. Attach the ribbon cable to the back of the floppy drive. This cable has a twist in it. Attach
this to the motherboard lining up the red edge. Once attachment to the port on the motherboard is
done, the floppy drive is installed.

2. Hard Drive

The first step here is to determine which bay you intend to place your Hard Drive in. Once done,
slide it in from the back and match up the screw holes to the mounting plate. Secure it in place.

Attach the 4 pin Molex connector from the PSU to the back of the drive. If the drive is IDE, it
will have a big connector on the back. If that is the case, take the ribbon cable and attach this to
IDE 1 on the motherboard. If the drive is SATA, the connector will be much smaller and the
cable a lot thinner. In that situation, take the cable and attach it to the back of the drive then to
SATA_1 on the motherboard. Job done!

3. CD ROM Drive

The installation of the CD ROM drive is very similar to that of the floppy drive. Select the bay
you want to place it in and take the face plate off. Slide the drive in from the front and screw it in
place.

Attach the 4 pin Molex connector like you did with the hard drive and then take the ribbon cable
and attach this to IDE_2 on the motherboard. Done!

Step 5 - Video Card Installation 

There are two basic types of Video Cards commonly used

known as the older AGP cards and newer PCI Express Cards. To install a Video Card, identify a
brown slot known as an AGP slot if you card is AGP then it goes here. Open the slot at the back
of the AGP slot, there may be a clip like with the memory modules, this is to support the card as
they are now quite big.

Break off the metal covering the hole at the back of the case. Take the video card by holding the
edges only and slot it into this port and press down firmly, you should feel it click into place. Do
not over force it as this may damage the circuits and your motherboard. Secure your card by
screwing it to the back of the case.

Certain Video Cards may require additional power, so simply attach the 4 pin Molex connector
to the video card. Installation complete.

For PCI express, follow the method used above, but use the PCI express slot instead.