Home
Purpose
Tools
Assembly Tips
Components

It's important to get the right components for your personal needs. So plan before you start buying. Before you start any assembly, gather and inspect your components. This is a step that many people skip when building a new PC, but it is a necessary step. You don't want to get half-way through the process and then find out that you are missing something. It is a good idea to take a few minutes at the start of the process to check your equipment. Below is a list of the components you will need and some tips on what to look for when purchasing your components.

Primary Components:

• System Case: A new case normally comes with many subcomponents that you need in order to assemble a new PC. Make sure you have all of these parts, and inspect everything to make sure there is no damage before you begin. Make sure that you have room for the size and type of case you purchase. This is where you decide between a desktop or a tower. If you are going to keep the case under the desk, you want your power and reset buttons to be recessed, so that you won't accidentally kick the case and reset it. Determine how much upgrading or expanding you might do and allow for this. Are there spare drive bays and ample room to work insde. If you plan to do a lot of upgrading, you should get a case that is designed with this in mind. Get a case where you can easily remove the mothrboard mounting plates, drive racks, etc. Make sure the case is clean. Determine the form factor of the case: AT or ATX. Almost all newer motherboards are using the ATX form factor, so that old case you have sitting around probably won't work with a new board. Check the sturdiness of the case. The screwless type cases are quite easy to work with.
• Motherboard: The motherboard should also come with several components that you will need to assemble the PC. Check to see that you have the cables that go with the motherboard--these are often omitted. And inspect the motherboard closely to determine that there is no damage. Look for bent or broken pins or missing components. Also look for the manual.
• System Processor: Make sure that you have the correct processor and that it is not damaged. Look on the top of the chip and make sure it is the correct speed. Check for bent or broken pins, but don't touch the pins.
• Secondary Cache Module (if appropriate): Many motherboards today come with only integrated cache and do not use a separate cache module.
• System Memory: Make sure you have the correct amount of the right type of memory.
• Video Card: Inspect the video card carefully to make sure that there is nothing missing or broken. You should also check to see that the card has a manual and a driver disk or CD with it. Handle the card by its edges.
• Floppy Disk Drive: Make sure the disk drive isn't broken in some way. Check the pins on the back of the drive to make sure they are straight and whole.
• Hard Disk Drive: Inspect the drive carefully to make sure it is the correct type and size. Do not touch the controller board. Make sure the disk has a manual with it.
• CD-ROM Drive: Check the CD-ROM drive to ensure that it is not damaged. Also check for two important pieces that normally come with the drive: the CD audio cable (for attaching to the sound card) and the driver disk (without which you likely won't be able to install the operating system).
• Sound Card: The sound card should come with a manual and drivers. Inspect it for physical damage.
• Network Card: This should also come with a manual and probably will come with driver disks as well. Inspect it for physical damage.
• Modem: This should come with a manual to help you with configuration and possibly a driver utility of some sort. Inspect it for physical damage.
• Mouse: You need a mouse, either serial or PS/2 style, which will depend on what you're going to run on your system. During the installation process, it is a good idea to use a mouse from another system that you know works, or test out the new mouse on an existing system. This makes troubleshooting during assembly much easier if there is a problem.
• Keyboard: Make sure that the keyboard has the correct sized plug for your motherboard; otherwise, you will need to get an adapter (some keyboards come with them). As with the mouse, during the initial installation, use a keyboard from another system that you know works, or test out the new keyboard on an existing.
• Monitor: Check the monitor for damage. Check for a manual and interface cable. Also it is a good idea to try out a new monitor on an existing PC before assembling the PC. If the monitor is not functioning properly, you might think it is a hardware problem with the new system.

Secondary Components:

• Heat Sink/Fan for the Processor: You will need a heat sink, usually with a fan, for most modern processors. Some processors come with the heat sink already attached to them.
• Heat Sink Compound: This white compound is used to ensure good thermal transfer between the CPU and the heat sink. You don't need this if your heat sink is already attached to the CPU.
• IDE Cable(s): Normally, one IDE cable comes with the motherboard. If you plan to use two IDE channels (which is common, one for the hard disk and one for the CD-ROM) then you need a second IDE cable.
• Floppy Cable: This normally comes with the motherboard.
• CD Audio Cable: The CD audio cable usually comes with the CD-ROM drive and is used to allow audio CDs to be played through the sound card.
• Mounting Hardware: This hardware is the metal and plastic spacers, standoffs and screws that are used to attach the motherboard to the system case, and should come with the case.
• Drive Rails (if required): Some cases will require these and they should come with the case if needed.
• Screws: Screws are needed to mount your storage devices into the case. Sometimes these will come with the device; sometimes they come with the case; and sometimes they come with neither. Also there are different sizes so make sure you have the right ones. Try them out in the devices before you try to install.
• Y-Adapters (if required): Many system cases only come with power plugs for four internal devices. If you have more than this number, you will need to purchase a "Y adapter" that lets two drives run off one power plug.

Tools and Other Equipment:

• Tool Kit: See the Tool section for a list of tools recommended.

Software and Drivers:

• Boot Disks: You should have at least one floppy boot disk to enable you to start up the new system when you are assembling a PC with a new hard disk. It is a good idea to have at least two, because floppies do fail. Make sure that they have the correct operating system on them. Make them on another PC that has the same operating system or use the boot disk that comes with your operating system CD-ROM.
• CD-ROM Driver: You must have a driver disk for your CD-ROM drive, to allow the CD-ROM to be accessible so you can install the operating system.
• Operating System CD-ROM: You should have your operating system CD-ROM ready for installation. Make sure you have the license key code and the manual.
• Video Card Driver: The video card should come with a driver disk or CD-ROM, which you will need during installation.
• Sound Card Driver: Your sound card should also come with a driver disk or CD-ROM, which you will need.
• Other Drivers: Any other drivers needed for your hardware.

Prepare the Work Environment:

• A Clean Space Is Needed: Prepare your work area for building the new computer. Clear the space and set aside the components you will not need for the start of the job, such as the monitor, keyboard, mouse, sound card, modem, and other peripherals.

Previous