Now that the hardest part is over you can start having some fun. It's time to build your computer! The first thing you want to do and what you should have done before you bought everything is to make sure that all the parts are compatible with each other. That means:
The processor socket type matches what your motherboard supports
The RAM matches what your motherboard supports
Your power supply is powerful enough to power all your components
Your graphics card is a PCI Express 2.0 x16 not AGP and that your motherboard supports it
Your hard drive has a SATA cable make sure your motherboard supports SATA
This is a very basic list so do your research before you buy!!
Let's get started. To begin, take out your motherboard from the box and set it on top of the box. It will be sealed in anti-static wrapping so when you take it out be careful. It's always good to work in a place that is static free. So don't build on a carpet, try and work at a desk with good lighting. Anyway, the motherboard is now ready to go. Find your processor and your RAM. The processor is easy to install you just have to be VERY CAREFUL with it. Now, on a motherboard that supports Intel you will have to lift up the protective cover and a little arm to access the socket. On a motherboard that supports AMD, just lift up the little arm. If you look at your processor you will see a little golden arrow on one of the corners. Same on the processor socket, there will be a little arrow. Line up the arrow on the processor with the arrow on the socket and carefully place the processor in the socket. *DO NOT FORCE THE PROCESSOR IN*. It was built to fit just right if you aligned it correctly. That's it, that's how easy it is to install a processor.
The next part is to install the heatsink and fan onto the processor. Your processor came with a stock heatsink and fan, you can buy an after market fan but please refer to the overclocking / cooling section for more info on after market fans. I will explain the stock fan installation process here. With the fan in hand, place it over the processor and make sure it is even. Place it on the processor then clip it on the fan support or screw it in, whichever your fan requires. Don't forget to plug in your fan to the mobo when you are done! Look around the socket and you should see a small plug labeled CPU FAN on your mobo, plug it in there.
Find your RAM and take it out of its box. Refer to your motherboard manual to determine which slots the RAM goes into. Usually they will be color coded so it will be easy. Once you find out where the RAM is going, find the slots on the mobo and unlock the clips on the sides. Take one RAM stick and line it up with the slot. Push the stick in until the clips lock back into place. You can even push the clips to make sure they are secure. Do the same with the other stick.
Now have your case at the ready and make sure you installed the mobo standoffs in the correct positions. Refer to our case manual for that. It is easiest to install the processor, fan, and RAM on the motherboard outside the case first, then installing the graphics card on the motherboard after it has been installed in the case. So, now that you have your case ready place the motherboard gently on the standoffs and line them up with the screw holes. Don't forget to pop out the generic I/O shield and place the one that came with the motherboard in its place. Once the motherboard is in the case, screw it down.
Now that the motherboard is in place you can install that beauty of a graphics card. First take off the card covers on the back of the case so your card will fit through. After that locate your PCIe 2.0 x16 slot, line up your card with the slot and gently push it in. Your case will have its own way of securing the card in place so checkout that manual!
Now all the main components on the motherboard are installed! Everything else just connects via cable so it only gets simpler. From here it's all up to you on what to install next, there are three things left: The DVD Drive, the hard drive, and the power supply. Your manuals will explain in their own way how to install each part, so good luck and happy building!!
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The processor socket type matches what your motherboard supports
The RAM matches what your motherboard supports
Your power supply is powerful enough to power all your components
Your graphics card is a PCI Express 2.0 x16 not AGP and that your motherboard supports it
Your hard drive has a SATA cable make sure your motherboard supports SATA
This is a very basic list so do your research before you buy!!
Let's get started. To begin, take out your motherboard from the box and set it on top of the box. It will be sealed in anti-static wrapping so when you take it out be careful. It's always good to work in a place that is static free. So don't build on a carpet, try and work at a desk with good lighting. Anyway, the motherboard is now ready to go. Find your processor and your RAM. The processor is easy to install you just have to be VERY CAREFUL with it. Now, on a motherboard that supports Intel you will have to lift up the protective cover and a little arm to access the socket. On a motherboard that supports AMD, just lift up the little arm. If you look at your processor you will see a little golden arrow on one of the corners. Same on the processor socket, there will be a little arrow. Line up the arrow on the processor with the arrow on the socket and carefully place the processor in the socket. *DO NOT FORCE THE PROCESSOR IN*. It was built to fit just right if you aligned it correctly. That's it, that's how easy it is to install a processor.
The next part is to install the heatsink and fan onto the processor. Your processor came with a stock heatsink and fan, you can buy an after market fan but please refer to the overclocking / cooling section for more info on after market fans. I will explain the stock fan installation process here. With the fan in hand, place it over the processor and make sure it is even. Place it on the processor then clip it on the fan support or screw it in, whichever your fan requires. Don't forget to plug in your fan to the mobo when you are done! Look around the socket and you should see a small plug labeled CPU FAN on your mobo, plug it in there.
Find your RAM and take it out of its box. Refer to your motherboard manual to determine which slots the RAM goes into. Usually they will be color coded so it will be easy. Once you find out where the RAM is going, find the slots on the mobo and unlock the clips on the sides. Take one RAM stick and line it up with the slot. Push the stick in until the clips lock back into place. You can even push the clips to make sure they are secure. Do the same with the other stick.
Now have your case at the ready and make sure you installed the mobo standoffs in the correct positions. Refer to our case manual for that. It is easiest to install the processor, fan, and RAM on the motherboard outside the case first, then installing the graphics card on the motherboard after it has been installed in the case. So, now that you have your case ready place the motherboard gently on the standoffs and line them up with the screw holes. Don't forget to pop out the generic I/O shield and place the one that came with the motherboard in its place. Once the motherboard is in the case, screw it down.
Now that the motherboard is in place you can install that beauty of a graphics card. First take off the card covers on the back of the case so your card will fit through. After that locate your PCIe 2.0 x16 slot, line up your card with the slot and gently push it in. Your case will have its own way of securing the card in place so checkout that manual!
Now all the main components on the motherboard are installed! Everything else just connects via cable so it only gets simpler. From here it's all up to you on what to install next, there are three things left: The DVD Drive, the hard drive, and the power supply. Your manuals will explain in their own way how to install each part, so good luck and happy building!!