Transcript Slide 1

PC Building Workshop, Part II
Building Process & Assembly Demo
September 2012
University of Lethbridge
Department of New Media
Tools, Equipment and Tips
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#2 sized Philips screwdriver
Needle-nose pliers
Anti-static wristband (important in our climate!)
Large, level and non-conductive workspace
Other tools:
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Electrical tape, nylon ties, hands free flashlight, extra
(working) computer, compressed air, sandpaper, wire
snips or X-acto knife…
Safety precautions
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Static electricity is not your friend
Never remove components while the computer is
powered-on or plugged in
Never cut-off/snap-off the grounding pin
Watch out for sharp edges inside the case
Do not dismantle PSU, monitors or anything that
may retain an electrical charge
take your time, ensure you can safely leave your
'mess' for a day (or two) if needed
Set-up & Planning
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Unpack & inspect all components (retain boxes
until all parts are tested)
Look over manuals for the case, motherboard,
PSU, drives, etc.
Try to plan out the assembly process for your
specific case and components
Make notes if necessary... conduct research online
Another PC or smartphone with web access is
helpful to have around
Prepare the case & mobo
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Open case and set down on level work space
Locate standoffs and holes that correspond with
your motherboard
Screw standoff into each one (by hand)
Do not apply too much pressure
Remove generic I-O shield from back of case and
replace with one that came with your mobo
Optical, HDDs, and PSU
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Depending on your case and components, it may
be easier to install drives and power supply before
installing the motherboard
Install optical drive(s) and card readers, etc.
Install hard disk drives... 2.5” drives such as SSDs
may require a bracket
Install power supply (consult case manual)
Make sure PSU cables will reach but do not attach
cables yet
Install motherboard
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if you haven't done so, install the I-O shield that
came with your motherboard
gently place the motherboard into place, lining up
ports with the I-O shield and standoffs with mobo
holes
look for any problems (like pinched wires from
case fans or inaccessible case cables)
insert screws to mount mobo to case and gently
tighten screws (gentle hand tightening only)
CPU & heat-sink installation
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The most difficult step!
Read the documentation for the CPU and motherboard...
and take your time
Compare and orient CPU to socket, take note of proper
alignment
Open socket and insert CPU fully into the socket (it should
just fall into place with little to no pressure)
Close ZIF socket
Do not attempt powering the computer at this stage
CPU & heat-sink (cont.)
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Again, do not power-on the computer at this stage
If using the stock heat-sink/fan, attach following
manufacturer's instructions
If using third-party heat-sink, apply the thermal paste on
the processor* and attach heat-sink and cooling unit
following manufacturer's instructions
Visually inspect CPU-heat-sink assembly, it should be level
and firmly seated and no thermal paste should be oozing
onto mobo
After this, everything is a breeze 
*consult various online videos for different methods and procedures relating to
the art of thermal paste application
RAM installation
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Check RAM manual for the proper sockets to use
(dual/tri channel, etc.) according to the number of
RAM modules being used
Push clips to the side to allow insertion of the
memory modules
Line up notch on RAM with proper area on the slot
Push RAM in with a bit of force; clips should snap
closed & the RAM should be level
Graphics card installation
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Consult manuals for mobo and graphics card,
locate the proper socket for your graphics card
Remove the necessary expansion-card cover(s)
and push the card into the slot so it’s securely
seated
If necessary, attach any required power cable
(usually labelled 'PCI-e')
If using multiple cards, connect them together
using SLI or Crossfire bridge (if supported by
mobo)
Other connections
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Plan how remaining cables will be placed and tied
down (good cable management aids air flow)
Connect remaining power cables to mobo
Connect front panel header to mobo (audio, USB,
FW, front power and reset switches)
Connect remaining fans to either molex connectors
(PSU) or available fan headers on mobo
Prepare for power up!
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Double check to make sure everything is
connected and seated correctly
Attach keyboard/mouse, monitor, etc.
Check mobo manual for normal post 'beeps'
and/or warning 'beeps' during power-up
Take a breath... press the power button
Watch for the CPU fan to start spinning
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If it doesn’t, immediately shut off power
Watch/listen for components to start up and
anything that may sound “wrong”
(Cont.)
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If you are greeted by proper beeps and the MOBO
manufacturer's splash screen you’re ready to enter
the BIOS and install an OS
If you aren’t…
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Unplug the computer right away and double check
connections
Restart and look for LEDs warning lights
Listen for different beep sequences and... consult
manual or search for what these mean on the
manufacturer's website
consult the 'troubleshooting' section in the Guide
BIOS
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Optional step
When mobo's splash screen appears, it will
indicate a key to access the BIOS or the boot
sequence (check manual for this too)
Press button (usually 'F12' or 'DEL') repeatedly to
enter BIOS menus
You can check/change date/time, check that all
HDDs and optical drives are recognized, check fan
speeds are consistent (rpms), and CPU
temperature... save and then exit.
Installation of the OS
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if prompted, insert operating system CD or DVD...
if there is no specific prompting, insert CD/DVD
when computer is on and restart the computer
follow on-screen instructions and input necessary
information
when OS installation is complete, check for
updated drivers for graphics card at
manufacturer's website
If using Windows, 'authenticate' Windows and
create a restore point
Install cards & peripherals
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Shut down the computer and install any other
expansion cards such as sound cards, capture
cards, etc.
Install any software for expansion cards and check
for updated drivers
Install any input-output devices (specialized mice,
joysticks, tablets) or other peripherals
Install any software packages
If using Windows, create another restore point
Final testing & set-up
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Test input-output ports (USB, USB 3.0, Firewire,
eSata, TB, etc.)
If you installed additional HDDs, these drives will
need to be mounted and formatted
Make sure the SMART utility is enabled in the BIOS
(check mobo manual)
Install any monitoring software like Speccy
(Windows) or Disk Utility (Linux)
If using Windows, create final restore point and
perhaps back up the HDD with the OS installed
Q&A
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Thank you for coming!
Watch out for the PC Planning & Design Workshop
in the Spring
Suggestions and comments are welcome
Kris Caldwell
David Clearwater
Matthew Fulton