| Building a computer is not cheap, do not be mislead. | | | | locations that you just identified. The motherboard will |
| What you do not get from buying a retail computer is | | | | rest on these shoulder nut screws, and will be bolted |
| the ability to pick every single computer component | | | | down to them. Once you finish installing the shoulder |
| out. Picking your components out is the main benefit of | | | | nut screws, install the motherboard onto of the |
| building a computer, especially if you are building a | | | | shoulder nut screws, and screw the motherboard |
| gaming computer. | | | | down with the correct screws. This secures the |
| The Internet gives you the ability to shop around at so | | | | motherboard to the case, but leaves a gap between |
| many different vendors. Two of my key vendors | | | | the back of the motherboard, and the back of the |
| online are Tigerdirect and Newegg. These two | | | | case were the shoulder nut screws are located. |
| vendors offer a huge selection of computer parts to | | | | Install the floppy, hard drive, CD-ROM, and DVD drive |
| pick from. | | | | and connect the corresponding data and power wires |
| One might ask, how do you keep up with the latest | | | | to them. The DVD and CD-ROM drives will also have |
| technology? Browsing computer magazines will give | | | | an audio cable connection for running audio to the |
| you new great ideas for future builds. Doing a little | | | | motherboard. |
| research and familiarizing yourself with the computer | | | | If you bought a case without a power supply, now is |
| technology will give you a greater advantage before | | | | the time to install the power supply. Use your |
| building, your next awesome system. This is how one | | | | motherboard manual and device manuals to hook up |
| truly becomes aware of the current market. Go to | | | | the power leads from the power supply to your |
| your local store, pick a computer magazine up, and | | | | devices and motherboard. |
| start reading. For more of a variety you could look | | | | Now connect your video card, if installing one and any |
| through a few computer magazine tittles. | | | | other cards at this time. |
| Before buying your new computer components, write | | | | Install your memory and or RAM into the motherboard. |
| everything out on paper. This will allow you to visualize | | | | Make sure you seat the memory correctly. Install your |
| your project. Make sure all component technology you | | | | CPU (Central Processor Unit) and heat sink into the |
| are about to buy is supported by your chosen | | | | motherboard socket. Follow the instructions that came |
| motherboard. This will save time and a headache later. | | | | with the motherboard or memory for correct |
| Mailing items back to these two vendors is allowed. | | | | installation of memory modules. Follow the install |
| They allow the normal thirty day from purchase return | | | | instructions for the CPU and heat sink. |
| policy. This is something to keep in mind if buying things | | | | Connect all fans to either the power supply or |
| slowly. You might wave your return option. Knowing | | | | motherboard fan connectors if supplied. |
| this you might opt to save your money, and build when | | | | Now install the case wires (Hard Drive LED Light, |
| your ready to. | | | | Power Switch, Power Switch LED, Reset, et cetera) |
| Now we will shift into gear an install the computer | | | | to the motherboard. You will need the manual that |
| semiconductor boards. You will need to wear a | | | | came with your motherboard. If you do not have this, |
| grounded wrist strap, to prevent static electricity from | | | | go online and download it from the manufactures |
| smoking the semiconductor boards you are going to | | | | website. You will also need the most recent set of |
| install. If you do not own one, then you will need to buy | | | | motherboard drivers for your motherboard. The drivers |
| one at your local computer parts store like a Radio | | | | that shipped with your motherboard are most likely out |
| Shack. Grounding yourself will eliminate static charge, | | | | of date. Download new ones off the manufactures |
| and reduce component failure. Static is the main cause | | | | webpage. New drivers will have a host of new fixes in |
| of component failure. Do this and do not take any | | | | them. |
| chances on damaging any components. Trust me, I | | | | Hook up your monitor, keyboard, and mouse to the |
| have been on the side that lost several hundred dollars | | | | computer. Close your case and add power to the |
| to static electricity, it really gets your goat, when new | | | | computer. Your computer should boot and show the |
| to building computers. | | | | bios on the monitor screen and say it can not find an |
| Once you have received all your new components, it | | | | "Operating System". Awesome job so far. |
| is time to build. First open the computer case, unwrap | | | | Next install your operating system and your computer |
| the motherboard, line the motherboard up with the | | | | is finished. Motherboard drivers are installed after the |
| wholes in the case were the motherboard goes, and | | | | operating system is installed. |
| locate the screw wholes below the motherboard. You | | | | Install your motherboard drivers now. |
| will need to install shoulder nut screws into the case | | | | Do a defragment to clean the hard drive of |
| were the motherboard will rest. Now take out the | | | | fragmented sectors. |
| motherboard and place the shoulder nut screws in the | | | | Install virus software, like AVG. |