‪Build Your Own PC - Step by Step Guide

Step by step guide which helps you build your own PC.Watch complete video

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.

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 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.

 Step Seven: Connect Power Supply: Continued

Case Fans

Route the Molex power supply connector through the case for proper cable management.

Connect the Molex power supply connector to your device.


Video Cards (If applicable)

Route the appropriate PCI-e power supply connector (6-Pin or 8-Pin [6+2-Pin])through the case for proper cable management.

Connect the appropriate PCI-e power supply connector to your device. Your device may require more than one PCI-e power supply connector. Please review your video card requirements as part of purchasing your power supply.


Motherboard 20-pin/24-pin (20+4-pin) Power Cable

Route the power supply’s 20-pin/24-pin connector through the case for proper cable management.

Connect the power connector to the motherboard. Make sure to line up the appropriate “shapes” on the connectors to the connectors on the motherboard. It will take a slight force to push the connector in but you shouldn’t have to force it in.


Motherboard 4-pin/8-pin (4+4-pin) Power Cable

Route the power supply’s 4-pin/8-pin connector through the case for proper cable management.

Connect the power connector to the motherboard. Make sure to line up the appropriate “shapes” on the connectors to the connectors on the motherboard. It will take a slight force to push the connector in but you shouldn’t have to force it in.



Step Eight: Boot System for First Time: Updated

Plug the monitor cable into your graphics output source (on-board video or dedicated GPU)

Turn the power switch on the PSU on, to provide power to your computer

Press the power button on the case to start the system up.

Listen for your Internal PC speaker to beep once, which means you have a successful first boot. If your PC doesn’t post properly, I recommend reviewing shortstuff_mt’s thread on boot issues. This thread provides very good details on trouble shooting when you have boot issues after your build. You can contact technical support from your motherboard manufacturer at this point, as well for additional help.

During the post session, press your “del” key or the appropriate key to enter into your BIOS.

Review around your BIOS to make sure it has properly recognized your CPU, RAM, Hard Drive… etc. You may have to manually adjust your RAM timings and voltage at this point to have them set a Manufacturing specifications.

Set your boot sequence to boot from your CD/DVD drive first and hit the “F10” key to save your updated BIOS.

Step Nine: Install Operating System / Drivers:
Operating System

During the reboot process after reviewing and updating your BIOS, install your OS disk into your CD/DVD drive.

When prompted by the post process, hit a key to boot from your OS disk to begin the install process.

Follow the one screen prompts from your operating system through the complete installation of your operating system. Your PC may restart a few times through this process, so don’t get worried.

Motherboard/Video Card Drivers

Once the OS installation have been complete, it is time to begin installing your other drivers. I recommend installing updated drivers from the internet, over the CD. I normally download all of the required drivers a head of time onto a flash drive, so I use the current drivers.

Install all required motherboard drivers; chipset, audio, network… etc.

Install the required drivers for your video card(s)

Install your Virus Protection Software to protect your PC before going to the internet for Windows updates

Log onto the internet and run all the required Windows updated, including any Service Packs required for your operating system.

After all of the updated have been completed, don’t forget to go back into your BIOS and reset the boot sequence to boot first from your hard drive going forward.

Step Ten: Test System and Have FUN!!
I recommend testing your system after all of the drivers have been installed and the system has been updated to make sure it is running stable.

Test your system

Run Prime95’s Blend Test for at least one hour and use one of the following programs to monitor your temps; Real Temp, SpeedFan or Core Temp. This will help determine if you system is running too hot and is unstable.

Run 3DMark’s Vantage or 3DMark06 to benchmark your system to see how your new build compares to similar systems.

Option: Run MemTest86+ for seven passes to check your memory for any possible errors. This isn't required unless you think there might be an issue with your memory.

Download links for the above programs

SpeedFan

CPUID's CPU-Z

CPUID's Hardware Monitor

Real Temp - CPU Temperature Monitoring

CoreTemp

Prime95

MemTest86+

Futuremark's 3DMark11 (Win 7), 3DMark Vantage (Vista), or 3DMark06 (XP)

Have Fun!!

Install all other Office Programs, Games, Music, Videos… etc. you want to put onto your system at this point

START HAVING FUN with your successful build and new PC!!


Here are some other useful guides in how to build a PC.

Here is a GOOD step-by-step. If you encounter anything in any other links that contradict this, THIS is the right one. Sadly, no pics: http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_To_Assemble_A_Desktop_...

Here is a tutorial with pictures that shows how to put together a cheap PC. All parts are cheap and you should NOT use the PSU they use: http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/build_a_500_p...

This you tube video has some good points, and is done with fairly modern equipment, all new. The case he is using is a micro-ATX case from Antec: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdsUuWlhOvo

This is a good ariticle about "Building a PC: Step by Step Guide" using current parts by DriverHeaven... http://www.driverheaven.net/articles.php?articleid=132&...

This is a good Tom's Hardware article about how to put a PC together... http://www.tomshardware.com/review_print.php?p1=1382

As with all new builds, I highly recommend doing your research before doing any build to determine what your needs are.

I have provided what I find to be useful sites and areas to look for those answers.

Google - If you can't find it there... than you probably won't find it anywhere...  

Overclocking and Benchmarking Guides - This thread provides a very good guide to overclocking on different platforms.

CPU and Heatsink Lapping Guides - These thread provides information on lapping CPU's and Heatsinks to help improve the the thermal transfer between them.

CPU Buyer's Guide 2.0 - This thread provides good information on the end's & out's on what CPU to buy and related information.

Computer Power Supplies - A Guide - This is a newer thread that has been created to provide a nice guideline for ranked PSU's by AMP's and Tier Levels.

Useful SSD Articles - Part 2 - This a good thread to research on Solid State Drives and what you need to understand about them.

Power Requirements and Specs for Popular Graphics Cards Guide - This is a new thread providing recommended power supply direction based on the graphics card you plan on purchasing.

FrostyTech - Best Heat Sinks & PC Cooling - The website provides good reviews and rankings on all things heatsinks.

eXtreme Power Supply Calcuator Lite V2.5 - This site is a very useful site when you are trying to figure out what your power requirements are for your new build, so you get an idea on what PSU waltage you will need.

AnandTech: - I find this site has very good links to multiple reviews from many different sites you'll see referenced and pretty up-to-date on news.

techPowerUp! - I find this site has very good links to multiple reviews from many different sites you'll see referenced and pretty up-to-date on news.

JonnyGuru - The website provides good reivews and rankings on power supplies.

Mouse Ergonomics Guide from Razer - This is a good guide in providing an understanding the different grip styles for a mouse.

Extras: – These are tools that are useful to have ready for use in your build.

Internal PC Mini Speaker – Most cases now don’t come with a case speaker, so one is required to help with troubleshooting, if your PC doesn’t boot properly.

1ST PC CORP. 12" 8-pin EPS extension cable Model CB-8M-8F - Retail - This is normally needed on full size cases to help with the cable management.

ICY DOCK MB882SP-1S-1B 2.5" to 3.5" SSD & SATA Hard Drive Converter - Black - Retail - This will be required when you purchase a SSD to convert it to a 3.5" drive for your case.

Final Results