Now comes the fun part: building the computer. This is a very tedious process requiring caution and precision. You need to be careful to read the motherboard manual carefully as it will tell you where various parts go. The guide isn't completely illustrated yet but i am working on it

Step 1-Organise:

First, you need to get everything ready, Open the all of the parts of the case including the front, and both side panels. This will make it really easy for you later on. Get all your parts ready

Step 2-CPU:

Lay the motherboard on an anti-static mat or the anti-static bag it came in if you don't have one. Lift the little lever next to the CPU socket (you need to pull it away from the socket a little and then lift it) and open the door. Now open the CPU from its packaging and hold it from the edges, be careful not to touch the gold contacts on the bottom. The CPU will only go in one way into the socket. On top of the processor there will be a gold arrow in the corner on the PCB. Corresponding to this corner will be a missing pin on the motherboard socket. The corner with the mark should go over the missing pin. If you are still confused, there are two notches on the side of the CPU, there will also be two notches corresponding to these on the motherboard. Now place the CPU in the socket put do not put any pressure as this might bend the pins. The CPU should be secure and not move around. If it wobbles around or doesn't sit firmly, check if it's the right way around. Now close the little door onto the CPU and push the lever back into place. You will notice that this puts pressure on the CPU.

Step 3-Heatsink:

To install the heatsink, you need to be very careful to lay it on evenly and not take it off once it has touched the CPU. The reason for this is the thermal grease on the bottom. This allows for proper heat transfer between the CPU and heatsink as any imperfections are filled in allowing full contact between the CPU and heatsink. You must also be careful not to touch the thermal grease as it will get contaminated. If ever you take out the heatsink, you need to wipe the old grease off and replace it with new thermal grease. To allow the wire for the fan to reach the port easily, you should align the heatsink so the Intel sign is facing the bottom of the motherboard. It doesn't really matter but it makes life easier. Another thing to look out for is to make sure the four push-pins on the corners to secure the heatsink are turned anti-clockwise all the way (turn it the opposite direction to the arrow on the pin) this is important as otherwise you will break the pins. After aligning the heatsink, put it on the CPU and start pushing the pins in until you hear a click. It may take a lot of pressure but the motherboards are designed to withstand the pressure. The picture on the left shows what the pins will look like on the bottom of the motherboard if the heatsink is installed properly.

Step 4-RAM

The RAM sticks are very easy to install. The first thing is to make sure the little white latches are all the way out. Next, you line up the RAM with the slot (it will only go in one way) and then push it in until the latches click in. Just to make sure the RAM is in place, you should push on the latches. Usually memory will come in kits with two sticks. This gives you the possibility of having dual channel RAM which makes the RAM twice as fast. To do this, you need to put the sticks in the corresponding colour slots. This means the 1st and 3rd slot or the 2nd and 4th slot. It doesn't make a difference which two pairs of slots you choose. The picture below shows how the RAM should be installed:

Step 5-Installing the Motherboard

Now it is time to mount the motherboard inside the case. This is very easy. First, get the I/O shield which came with your motherboard (this is where all the ports go through) and put it in the back of your case (just below the power supply). Next you have to find all of the screw holes on the motherboard with a metal ring around it. These are the only holes screws should be put through. Next, you get the motherboard stands (little brass hexagonal screws which come with your case) and place them in the case corresponding to the location of the screw holes on the motherboard. Then, put the motherboard in the case and make it line up with the stands. Now start putting the screws into the motherboard. There are usually 8 or 9 of them. Once this is finished, you are done with securing the motherboard. On the below picture please ignore the cables. I couldn't get a better picture of motherboard mounting.

Step 6-Installing the Drives

The next step is to install the drives. Do not connect the wires yet as these will become an annoyance later. First, just place the drives in their various bays and screw them in as required. Some cases can also be tool-less as the one above. These cases are very simple to install a drive into. You simply put the drive in to the desired depth (should line up with front panel) and slide the beige looking slider to the right. This will lock the drive into place, its that easy!

Step 7-Installing the Power Supply

Installing the power supply is very easy. You simply place it into the case (be careful not to hit anything on the motherboard) and slide the power supply as far in and as far toward the back of the case as possible. Now it is just a matter of securing it with screws. On the outside, there will be four screw hole. Secure the power supply using the provided screws.

Step 7-Install the Video card

Installing the video card is very simple. First, take out the little metal cover over the place where the ports come out. Next, get your video card and line it up with the PCI-E slot. It will be the longest slot the motherboard has. Once the card is lined up and the ports (on the metal part of the card) are coming out of the right hole push down firmly. The card should go into place fairly easily. if it doesn't. check the alignment. The larger video cards can often get very difficult to install. Please note, before installation it is best not to install any other expansion cards (like USB cards etc.) until windows has been installed

Step 8-Connect the Cables

This is the second last step in the process. First, start off by connecting the little cables. These tiny cables are very tricky to put in so it is better to do it first. Start off by connecting all the case cables. First the power and reset switch, then the HDD light and Power light. Your motherboard manual will tell you where these cables need to go. Next do the USB ports and Audio ports on the front of the case. These like the switch cables will have instructions in the motherboard manual. All the cables should be labeled making it very easy to put them in correctly. Next, start to connect the Power Supply cables. There are two different types of power supply, normal and modular. The normal power supply has all the cable attached while the modular power supply like the one in the above picture allows you to only connect the cables you need. If you have a modular Power Supply, only connect the cables as you need them. This will make less of a mess and later it will help with cable management. Start off with the main motherboard connectors (the 24-pin and 8-pin connector. one will be on the edge of the motherboard while the other will be near the CPU. After connecting these, move on to the drives and video card power cables. These are pretty easy to connect. Most of your drives now will need the SATA power connectors and the video card will need a PCI-E connector. Now move on to fans. Most fans will be able to be plugged in to the motherboard. They will have a small 3-pin connector. If your fan has this then it is better to connect them to your motherboards. If not, the fan will have a Molex connector which connects directly to the Power Supply. This is alright but the only problem is you will have no way of knowing if the fan fails unless you open the case or have a case with a transparent window. In most cases though, it is okay and will still do the same job. Now you can move on to connect the Other cables which need to go to the motherboard. This includes the CPU fan and the SATA or IDE connectors for the drives as well as the floppy cable if you have a floppy drive. After doing this, you are almost done building your computer. For some photos of the connectors, please visit the Photo Gallery

Step 9-Finishing Touches

The final step is basically just finishing touches. First, is cable management which requires some cable ties and might require you to disconnect some cables and route them properly. Basically, just move cable out of the way of the motherboard. Make the motherboard easily accessible. Some cases have cable management built in which allow you to bring the cables behind the motherboard and really clear up the front. If you don't have on of these cases, just bunch cables together and tuck them into crevices in the case like behind the hard drive cage and then just use a cable tie to secure it. After you are done with your cable management, put all the panels back on and close the case. Now you are ready to install windows.

If you want some video demonstrations on all of the above steps, please visit the Links section.