How to Build a PC, Kinda

Instructions of overall and the basics of putting a pc together. Disclaimer this won't cover all possible systems because there so many different kinds, but this ought to help in any normal ATX size build if you don't have prior experience and also this is a school project definitely not done late.

A tool to cut zip ties, basic Philips screwdriver, and zip ties. Thermal paste may be required.

You will, of course, need parts for the pc. You can find what kind of parts you need from the internet in your price budget. Also, there will be new guides on what kind of parts are good for you as time goes on and as new parts come available

In my build, I have chosen

• Cpu - I7 7700k
• Gpu - Gainward 1080ti
• Ram - Corsair vengeance 16gb at 3000mhz
• Motherboard - Asus rog strix z270f
• Storage - 500gb m.2, 120gb 2.5" ssd and also 500gb 2.5" hdd
• Cooler - Nzxt 240mm kraken x52 AIO cooler
• Power supply - Seasonic Focus GX 550W 80 plus gold
• Case - Nzxt H510 white
• Basic case fans

To install the cpu. Take your motherboard and open the retention arm where the cpu socket by pulling the lever right and up. Next place the cpu very carefully without using force into the socket by lining up the triangle in the corner of the cpu to the notch in the socket as seen in the picture. Then close the retention arm with the lever arm

If your motherboard supports a m.2 drive and you have one. It is installed by taking out the small screw near the m.2 slot and then inserting the drive, this should only go in one way. Then the drive can be pressed down (which should not take much force) and screwing the drive in with the screw you took out.

To install the ram. All you need to do is unlock the hatches on the ram slots, on some motherboards you have to do it on the top and bottom. Then line up the notch on the ram stick and on the motherboard slot. Then use moderate pressure to click them in place, you should hear a noticeable click. (check your motherboard manual in which slots to put the number of ram sticks that you have since this changes from motherboard to motherboard). And now the motherboards is ready to be put into your case.

Now that the motherboard is ready to be put in. We can take the side panels of the case off, this differs from case to case but it usually is just taking off a few thumb screws and setting the side panels aside. Then the Io should can be put at the top back of the case where there is a rectangular cutout (this might take some force to make it click into place properly). With the case, you should get at least one extra standoff on which the motherboard rests on. Also, you should get a tool with which you can move the standoffs around with. Look at the holes in your motherboard and line up the standoffs under it. Then the motherboard can be slid in, it is a good idea to put the ports into the io shield. Then take screws that come with your case and screw those screws into the standoff behind the motherboard. If your case doesn't come with pre-installed front intake fans, it would be a good idea to install them now

To install the power supply, you have to first connect all the cables that you need before putting it in the case although it is possible to install the cables or change them after putting the PSU in the case but it is much easier just to do it before. Usually, you have to plug in

• 24 pin atx
• 4+4 cpu
• PCIe power cables
• some sata power cables (depends how many hard drives you have
• possibly 4 pin molex cables if you have some accessories that use molex

(If you don't have a modular or semi-modular power supply you don't obviously have to plug any cables into the power supply since everything is already there). Then it is just held in place by 4 screws, should come with your case or PSU.

Next up is a good idea to install the main power connectors to the motherboard, the large 24 pin goes to the right top of the motherboard and the CPU power connector goes to the very top right of the motherboard, close to the io shield. The connectors might take some force to put in and should have a noticeable click once properly seated.

Next is a good idea to install your hard drives. This will vary from case to case. More defined instructions ought to be found in your case manual. In my nzxt h510, the 2.5" drives are located on trays behind the motherboard. The trays are held in with two screws, and then the drives can be placed on the trays with the screws that come with the case. Then once the drives are in, the trays with the installed drives can be put into the place they came from. Then the drives are connected to the motherboard (ports usually located on the bottom left) with SATA cables. Then the installed SATA power cables from the power supply can be connected to the drives.

This also varies from case to case. The best instructions from this can be inside of your case and/or motherboard manual. Here I have to only connect 3 cables to the motherboard, but this might be different for you.

The CPU cooler is also a part that varies a lot since there are so many different kinds of coolers out on the market. Here I am installing an aio water cooler from nzxt. But in general, the cooler installation includes

• Installation of a backplate on the backside of the motherboard behind the CPU socket
• Installing the brackets for the cooler on the backplate
• Thermal paste application
• Installing the cooler on the CPU
• connection of various connectors to the motherboard and possibly the power supply (sata or molex)

To install the GPU, You have to remove the PCI covers from the case (usually come off with a screw although on some older cases you might have to remove it with force). Then opening the latch on the upmost PCIe slot and then slotting the GPU into the slot, Also in this, there should be a noticeable click once it is seated properly. And screwing the GPU in place. Then on most modern GPUs, you will need external power from the power supply. These connectors usually connect to the left of the GPU and click in nicely.

if you want to install or change your case, you can do so by installing them where your case allows, in my case, there are two at the front and two at the back. And since my front ones are being used by the AIO cooler id like to install some at the back for better cooling performance for both the CPU and the GPU. To install a case fan, screw it in with the thick and shot screws as shown in the picture. Then connect the connector to your motherboard. To see where your motherboard has connectors, it is best to consult your motherboard manual

As the final step, it is always a good idea to manage your cables. There are no defined instructions for managing your cables, but with the wise use of your zip ties and scissors, it is easy to make your build look nice. Then once the cables are managed to your liking you can put the side panels back on and start your pc for the first time. Then install your preferred operating system on your newly built rig.