PC Assembly

Prepared by: Dennis S. Chua

CHS NCII-Instructor/Assessor
CSS NCII-Instructor
Objectives

1 Open the case

2 Install the power supply
3 Attach the components to the motherboard and
install the motherboard
4 Install internal drives
5 Install drives in external bays
6 Install adapter cards
7 Connect all internal cables
8 Re-attach the side panels and connect external
cables to the computer
Introduction
 Computer assembly is a large part of a technician's job.
– Work in a logical, methodical manner when working with
computer components
– Improve computer assembly skills dramatically with
practice
Safety First

1. Always ground yourself before touching any part of the computer

2. Never attempt to take apart your computer if you are scared of breaking
it
3. Never work on your computer on carpet or any other surface that can
build static electricity
4. Always power off and unplug your computer before trying to work on it
5. Take away any liquid near your working area to avoid
getting electrocuted or accidentally damaging computer
parts.
6. Be careful with tools that may cause short circuit.
7. Always ground or discharge yourself before touching any
part of the computer.
8. Hold the components on the edges and do not touch the
wrist strap Integrated Circuit (IC) parts.
9. Always wear personal protective equipments (PPE) in
accordance with the organization's OHS procedures and
practices.
10. Contingency measures during workplace accidents, fire and
other emergencies are recognized.
Opening the Case
 Prepare the workspace before opening the computer case:
– Adequate lighting
– Good ventilation
– Comfortable room temperature
– Workbench accessible from all sides
– Avoid cluttering workbench
– An antistatic mat on the table
– Small containers to hold screws and other small parts
 There are different methods for opening cases. To learn how,
consult the user manual or manufacturer's website.
Installing the Power Supply
Power supply installation steps include the following:
1. Insert the power supply into the case
2. Align the holes in the power supply with the holes in the case
3. Secure the power
supply to the case
using the proper
screws
Installing the CPU on the Motherboard
 The CPU and motherboard are sensitive to electrostatic discharge so
use a grounded antistatic mat and wear an antistatic wrist strap.
CAUTION: When handling a CPU, do not touch the CPU contacts.
 The CPU is secured to the socket on the motherboard with a locking
assembly.
Installing the Heat Sink/Fan Assembly
 The Heat Sink/Fan Assembly is a two-part cooling device.

 The heat sink draws

heat away from the
CPU.
 The fan moves the
heat away from the
heat sink.
 The heat sink/fan
assembly usually has
a 3-pin power
connector.
Installing RAM
 RAM provides temporary data storage for the CPU while the
computer is operating.
 RAM should be installed in the motherboard before the
motherboard is placed in the computer case.
 RAM installation steps:
1. Align the notches on the RAM module to the keys in
the slot and press down until the side tabs click into
place.
2. Make sure that the side tabs have locked the RAM
module and visually check for exposed contacts.
Installing the Motherboard
Installing the Internal Drives
 Drives that are installed in internal bays are called internal
drives.
 A hard disk drive (HDD) is an example of an internal drive.

 HDD installation steps:

1. Position the HDD so that it aligns
with the 3.5-inch drive bay.
2. Insert the HDD into the drive bay
so that the screw holes in the
drive line up with the screw holes
in the case.
3. Secure the HDD to the case using
the proper screws.
Installing the Optical Drive
 An optical drive is a storage device that reads and writes
information to CDs or DVDs.
 Optical drive installation steps:
1. Position the optical drive to align with the 5.25 inch
drive bay.
2. Insert the optical drive into the drive bay so that the
optical drive screw holes align with the screw holes in
the case.
3. Secure the optical drive to the case using the proper
screws.
Installing Floppy Drive
 A floppy disk drive (FDD) is a storage device that reads and writes
information to a floppy disk.
 FDD installation steps:
1. Position the FDD so that it aligns with the 3.5 inch drive
bay.
2. Insert the FDD into the drive bay so that the FDD screw
holes align with the screw holes in the case.
3. Secure the FDD to the case using the proper screws.
Installing the Adapter Cards
 Adapter cards are installed to add functionality to a computer.
 Adapter cards must be compatible with the expansion slot.
 Some adapter cards:
PCIe x1 NIC
PCI Sound Card
PCIe x16 video adapter card
Connecting the Internal Cables
 Power cables are used to distribute
electricity from the power supply to the
motherboard and other components.
 Data cables transmit data between the
motherboard and storage devices, such
as hard drives.
 Additional cables connect the buttons
and link lights on the front of the
computer case to the motherboard.
Connecting the Power Cables
Motherboard Power Connections
 The Advanced Technology Extended (ATX) main
power connector has either 20 or 24 pins.

 The power supply may

also have a 4-pin or
6-pin Auxiliary (AUX)
power connector that
connects to the motherboard.
 A 20-pin connector will work in a
motherboard with a 24-pin socket.
Connecting the Power Cables
 SATA power connectors use either a 7-pin or 15-pin
connector to connect to hard disk drives, optical drives,
or any devices that have a SATA power socket.
SATA

 Molex power connectors are used by hard disk drives

and optical drives that do not have SATA power
sockets.
CAUTION: Do not use a Molex connector and a
SATA power connector on the same drive Molex
at the same time.

 4-pin Berg power connector supplies power to a floppy

drive. Berg
Attaching the LEDs

Plug the reset-switch, power-switch, HDD-LED, speaker, and power-LED

connectors into the motherboard, all labels facing upwards.
Connecting External Cables
1. Attach the monitor cable to the video port.
2. Secure the cable by tightening the screws on
the connector.
3. Plug the keyboard cable into the PS/2
keyboard port.
4. Plug the mouse cable into the PS/2 mouse
port.
5. Plug the USB cable into a USB port.
6. Plug the network cable into the network port.
7. Connect the wireless antenna to the antenna
connector.
8. Plug the power cable into the power supply.
Re-attaching Panels, Connect External Cables

 Now that all the internal components have been installed and
connected to the motherboard and power supply, the side panels
are re-attached to the computer case.
 The next step is to connect the cables for all computer peripherals
and the power cable.
 Turn ON the PC
Thank You