Building a PC

Motherboard Selection Ensure the selected motherboard is appropriate for the processor model and frequency you are planning to use AMD CPU

Case Selection Verify that your case follows the system case (chassis) airflow guidelines. An optional 80mm case cooling fan can greatly improve system cooling Note, fan inlet is located on top of CPU

Power Supply Select your power supply to be certain it will deliver adequate power for the system you are planning. A 300 Watt power supply is sufficient for most casual use systems. Gaming systems can require at least 500 Watts

Electrostatic Protection Ensure that you are properly grounded at all times during the system construction to protect the delicate electronic components from static electricity damage Always wear grounding bracelets

Install Hardware Install the selected hard drives, floppy, DVD or CD-ROM player, and other devices into the chassis Most systems allow the base plate to be removed to simplify installation Standoff insulators are mounted into the base plate to mount the motherboard

Motherboard Remove the motherboard from its protective packaging and place it on a firm (but not hard) surface, ideally a grounded anti-static pad Leave the Motherboard on the bag it was wrapped in to prevent it from static electricity

CPU Remove the processor from its protective packaging The CPU should be left in the antistatic container until ready for installation

Insert the CPU Install the processor into the motherboard socket The Socket used on modern PCs are ZIF sockets (Zero Insertion Force). The metal lever in the up position is open to allow insertion of the CPU. Notice the hole pattern that only allows the CPU to be inserted in one position.

Insert the CPU Orient the CPU with the mark lined up oriented toward the hole pattern Note orientation mark on CPU Aligns with the holes in the socket

Insert the CPU Install a heat sink and fan assembly The heat sink is a large aluminum block. The bottom has a special layer of heat transferring material covered with plastic tape.

Inserting the CPU Prior to inserting the heat sink the remove the protective layer of tape.

Inserting the CPU The plastic fan housing connects to the mother board and holds the heat sink in place Plug the fan assembly into the jack on the mother board

Install the Motherboard Install the assembled motherboard and processor with heat sink into the chassis

Insert Memory Install the recommended memory into the motherboard, at least 512 MB

Video Install AGP graphics card.

Power Connections Connect the power cables to the drives and motherboard. 20 Pin Power socket supplies power to the Mother Board

Hardware Connections Connect the hard drive, floppy, and DVD (CD- ROM) data cables in the normal manner. Connect the monitor data cable, keyboard cable, and mouse cable to the rear of the system. Connect case switch cables