Manu Tyagi: Building a PC: Mainstream and Upgradable - Part 2A

Welcome back to more adventures in building our own computer system. In Part 1 we discussed the components that we were going to select as part of our mainstream and upgradable computer system build as well as some of the popular places to purchase these components with the help of online services. In this part we will be covering some of the important considerations when actually assembling your computer on your own and the steps to take in doing so.

Requirements

-Philips screwdriver /screwdriver kit
-Clean not static work-space
-Monitor, keyboard, mouse for testing

Unboxing and Preparation

The first thing we should do is unbox all the components and check that nothing is damaged and that everything stated is in the box with nothing missing. This will reduce the chances of having to stop the build mid-way to remove and replace any damaged components. When handling any components make sure you don't have any static built up on you that may damage the components and don't place them on anything where static transfer may occur. Also it is worth while reading the documentation provided with each component carefully to understand how best to install the component without making any mistakes. The figures below show all our example system components unboxed and undamaged ready to be installed.

Installation Steps

CPU, RAM, Back-Plate, Motherboard, Cooler Mount

The first component we will install is the CPU into the socket on the motherboard. We could have left this after we installed the motherboard into the case but it becomes darker and more cramped inside the case so it is generally best to do this step before installing the motherboard. Before installing the CPU it’s a good idea to visually inspect the pins on the underside of the CPU to insure none are bent out of place. The CPU will only fit one way and a notch on the corner of the CPU should align with a similar looking notch on the motherboard (Note: don't force the CPU into place, it should sit in gently).

The next component we can easily install at this moment is the ram. The ram only installs in one orientation due to the notch at the bottom of the ram modules, which are slightly offset of middle of the module. Opening the side locks of the ram sockets on the motherboard, placing the ram modules in the right direction and pushing down slightly until they click into place. The side locks may or may not lock automatically due to the force once the ram is in place, checking they are locked is recommended.

It is a good idea to install any CPU cooler mounting sockets now since the back of the motherboard may not be accessible once it is installed into the case. This socket will allow for proper seating of the CPU cooler onto the CPU and will ensure a firm connection to the motherboard. The style of mounting socket and the steps on how to install the socket will be different depending on the CPU socket and the CPU cooler. Therefor it is best to refer to the documentation provided by the cooler manufacturer to ensure the socket is installed correctly.

Let’s install the back-plate for the motherboard into the case now as well since it will be difficult if not almost impossible to install it after installing the motherboard. Simply make sure the plate aligns correctly to all the input and output connections with how the motherboard will be positioned in the case and push the plate into place.

The next step is to screw in the motherboard standoffs into the case which in which we will connect and screw in the motherboard. The position of the standoffs will be determined by the size/form factor of the motherboard being installed (ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX) and the case design. The exact positions should be outlined in the case manual/reference guide.

Some people connect the GPU and PSU cables at this point to test the system is working correctly and it is advised to do so if you are concerned about the system not starting up. It is easier to do this step now since any problems later in the build process may mean that we need to disassemble the system and remove the motherboard out of the case, which can be a hassle and time consuming process.

Once the standoffs are positioned correctly we can finally install the motherboard into the case. Being careful and gently handling the motherboard to avoid putting any unnecessary stress that may damage any components on the motherboard, we align the motherboard with the back-plate. We slowly place the motherboard on top of the standoffs making sure not to slide the motherboard around too much as this may scratch and damage the underside of the motherboard. Referring to the motherboard and case manuals we screw in the motherboard from above into the previously installed offsets. Ensure the screws are firmly in place but avoid tightening the screws too much as this may also damage the motherboard.

CPU Cooler and SSD

What’s next you ask, well good question, we will install the CPU cooler onto the CPU cooler mount that we installed previously, making sure the cooler is aligned the way we prefer/require. In the case of our Noctua cooler we also need to make sure to place the provided thermal paste on the CPU before placing the cooler in place, a pea sized drop in the center is often recommended as placing the cooler on top will force the paste to spread out into place evenly. Once the cooler is in place we have attached the accompanying fans making sure they are oriented in the right direction based on the marking on the fans, in our case pushing the air out through the back of the case.

It is a good idea to check if any power connections that we require such as for the motherboard are situated underneath the CPU cooler and to connect them to the motherboard at this time before installing the CPU cooler to avoid issues with not having easy access to the connections after the cooler is installed. This is not as much of an issue when installing a water/liquid cooling solution due to the smaller CPU attachment.

The case we purchased allows us to remove the drive bays at the front of the case, we have removed all of these bays since we will not be installing a hard disk drive or DVD drive in the system. The main reason to remove these bays is to allow the intake fans to push air through the system more optimally, thereby keeping the system cooler. They can also be removed if you intend to install a radiator for a water based CPU cooler.

Also worth noting is the small space left between the CPU cooler/fans and the low profile memory modules, this highlights the importance of doing your research and making sure the components you purchase are compatible, as some taller modules may not have allowed proper installation of the fan in question.

Next we can go ahead and install any storage devices which in our case is the single Solid State Drive (SSD), which simply involves screwing the drive onto the SSD bay at the back of the case. Since we will be feeding the power cable for the drive from the bottom of the case we have made sure that the SSD ports are aligned facing down so we can avoid any unnecessarily complicated cable management later on.