Computer Builds

For this computer build I am going to use an Intel Core i3-8100k with stock fan, EVGA 500 BA 80+ Bronze 500W power supply, B365M-HDV motherboard (LGA 1151), Samsung 860 EVO M.2 SSD (250GB), G.SKILL Ripjaws V Series DDR4 2400 (8 GB), and a MASTERBOX MB511 case. You can either unbox all of the part and lay them out, or you can unbox them as you need them, it's your choice. You should build the computer yourself since with prebuilds, they tend to cheap out on the motherboard and power supply. The cable management may also be mess but buy building the computer yourself you can be assured that the parts you put in are quality and that the cables are organized to your liking.

The first thing to do is to lay your motherboard out and preferably, place it on top of the box it came in. This makes it easier to connect the other parts to the mother board and so that you can makes sure that it works before screwing it into the case.

For this build, I am using an Intel Core i3-8100k, first open the CPU bracket, lift the small silver stick that is next to the socket. Then, line up the gold triangle on the CPU with the triangle on the motherboard. For CPUs with pins, the pins should go into the socket without any pressure. After the CPU is in the socket, you can close the bracket so it can hold the CPU in place.

After placing in the CPU, take thermal paste and apply a pea sized amount but since this heat sink already has thermal paste applied, I didn't need to add any more. Place the heatsink on top of the CPU with the screws in the correct hole that the motherboard has, if the motherboard has a CPU bracket, a plastic "chunk" that will hold the heatsink to the CPU, then take the heatsink and place it onto the CPU and using the metal "hooks" hook it onto the bracket and secure it into place by turning a lever and this will secure it.

I'm using one stick of G.SKILL Ripjaws V Series DDR4 2400 which is 8 GB. Open the clips at the ends of the RAM slots, either one or both of these will open. On the gold "teeth" of the RAM there is a small cut, this aligns with a notch on the slot. Put it into the slot and firmly press it into the slot until it clicks.

The M.2 SSD is similar to a RAM stick since it connects directly to the motherboard, unlike traditional SSDs. To connect it, take the gold "teeth" and insert it into the slot at an angle, it should be diagonal compare to the motherboard. When it is in, flatten it down and screwing it down, making sure that there is a stand off.

For this computer, I am not going to use a graphics card but you may be using one. To place the graphics card, the closest PCI express slot to the CPU, which should be south to the CPU, when the motherboard is turned the right way, with the CPU at the top, which in the photo it isn't. Using the gold "teeth" on the GPU insert it into the PCI express slot. When putting it into the case, your are going to have to take a bracket of the back of the case where the display ports would be, so that the GPU can be in the case correctly.

It's easier to make sure all the parts work while they are outside the case. Connect the 20/24 pin and the 4/8 pin power cables, and if you have a graphics card connect that too using the 6/8 pin. Find the front panel connectors, they are normally on the bottom of the motherboard. Using a piece of metal, short out 2 pins that are for the power. This will turn on the computer and you can also connect it to a monitor to make sure that there is a display. If the motherboard has a built in speaker it will give a beep code, if there is only one beep then a break and another beep, then the computer booted up fine. If there are a variation of long beep and short beeps then there is a problem, these can tell you what is wrong with the computer.

After making sure that the computer functions, you can disconnect the power cables from the motherboard and GPU if you have one. Take the IO shield and put it into the case making sure that the text is readable from the outside of the case. Screw the motherboard standoffs into the case, then place the motherboard into the case with the ports sticking out of the IO shield, then screw the motherboard into the case. Make sure that the screws are not too tight or this can break the board.

On the back side of the case place the power supply into the case, making sure the fan is away from the case, you can screw the power supply into the case. Route the cables through the case, managing the cables to have them as neat as possible is not the most important thing but it does help make the computer look clean and it makes it easier to remove any part while the motherboard is inside.

Connect the power cables to the motherboard, the 20/24 pin, the 4/8 pins, and to the GPU if you have one the 6/8 pin. You can also connect the case fans to the motherboard.

Once all necessary cables are connected, power cables, front panels cables, and fans are connected to the motherboard, you can turn on the computer to make sure nothing went wrong and if it boots then you can close up the side panels and then you're done.