Build Your Own PC Case Modular

Building your own PC case modular allows you to get the PC you really want. In addition, building from scratch gives you a better idea of how the computer works, and allows you to better maintain it throughout its work cycle. Look for the best parts you can afford and review each part before purchasing it to make sure you get a reliable part.

• 1

  Place your new PC case on your work surface and turn the case so the back faces you. Remove the side pane on your right by unfastening the screws that hold it in place and sliding the panel toward you. Blow compressed air in the case to clear it of dust. Remove any plastic packaging that may be on the inside. The case should be empty, except for power connectors that hang inside the case that are connected to a pre-installed power. Most cases come with power supplies. Make sure the power supply is set to the correct voltage, Usually they are preset to 110 volts.

• 2

  Remove the motherboard from the packaging by lifting it from its four corners. Lift with the under-foam it comes with, and sit it on your work surface.

• 3

  Insert the processor in the correct position on the motherboard. Open the locking lever for the processor slot, located to the side of the socket. Orient the pins so that the diagonal slash on the pins line up with the diagonal slash on the motherboard slot. The processor pins will slip in easily into the slot and should not be forced in any way. If they do not fit easily, turn the processor over and look at the pin orientation again and compare with the pin orientation of the slot. Make adjustments to the processor and place in the slot. Lock the slot by pushing down the locking lever. Place thermal compound on the top of the processor. Attach the heatsink and cooling unit to the processor by pressing the pressure lever over the plastic levers on each side of the processor.

• 4

  Install the RAM memory modules by inserting the side with the pins in the RAM socket. Look at the RAM bottom and the socket to make sure you get the correct side of the RAM aligned with the socket. Insert the RAM in the socket and press firmly along the top edge to ensure a good fit with the pins. Avoid forcing the RAM modules in the slot, if it will not enter the slot, look at the bottom of the module again and check the alignment. Wait for the slide RAM levers to click in place.

• 5

  Step the computer case down so you can see the inside the case. Pick up the motherboard from its edges and insert it in the case, allowing the connectors to fit through the appropriate holes for them in the back of the case. Screw the motherboard to the case using the screws that came with the motherboard. Connect the power supply connector to the motherboard. Note the alignment for both connectors. There is only one way the connector will plug into the motherboard. Connect the power and reset switch cables from the front of the computer case to the power and reset pins on the motherboard. Check the motherboard installation diagram to find these pins.

• 6

  Insert the hard drive, the DVD/CD ROM and any other drive to the drive bays in the upper front of the case. Use the screws that come with the drives to fasten them to the bays with the Phillips screwdriver. Connect the drives to the motherboard using the IDE cables that come with the drive. Connect the power-supply connectors to the drives using the shape of the connectors to guide you. There is only one way to connect these.

• 7

  Connect the video card to an empty PCI or PCI-E slot, depending on the video card you bought. Face the pins toward the slot and insert the card evenly by pressing all along the upper edge to ensure a firm fit. Avoid forcing the card in the slot, but firmly connect all the pins. Hold the card in place by attaching the screw that came with it. This screw fits on the back metal plate of the card and into the hole on the back metal plate of the case. Connect the sound card in the same manner, and connect the sound cable to the DVD/CD ROM and the sound card to the appropriate connector. Look at your sound card diagram to view the sound cable connection pins.

• 8

  Check all the connections, ensuring that they are secure. Close the computer case and connect the power cord, monitor, keyboard, mouse and speakers. Turn on the computer, and install the Windows operating system you choose.