Chapter 2: PC Assembly

IT Essentials 8.0
Chapter 2 - Sections & Objectives
 2.1 Assemble the Computer
• Build a computer.
• Define general and fire safety standards.
• Connect the power supply.
• Install the motherboard components.
• Install internal drives.
• Install the adapter cards.
• Identify additional storage.
• Connect computer components with appropriate cables.

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2.1 Assemble the Computer

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General and Fire Safety
Video Explanation – General and Fire Safety
In this video explanation, you will learn about the general and fire safety
precautions while working in a computer:
• Remove watches or jewelry
• Turn off and unplug equipment
• Remove clutter from workspace
• Cover sharp edges inside the computer
• Wear safety goggles
• Proper lifting procedures
• Fire extinguisher availability, rating, and use

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Open the Case and Connect the Power Supply
Video Demonstration – Install the Power Supply

This is a video demonstration about installing the power supply:

Step 1: Open the computer case

Step 2: Align the screw holes on the power supply with the mount on the
computer case.
Step 3: screw the power supply into place.

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Open the Case and Connect the Power Supply
Select the Case and Fans

• The choice of motherboard and external components influences the selection of the case and
power supply.
• The motherboard form factor must be matched with the correct type of computer case and power
supply.

Factors affecting the choice of a computer case include:

• Model Type – The motherboard determines the type of case you can use. The size and shape
must match.
• Size – A computer with many components will need more room for airflow to keep the system cool.
• Power Supply – Match the power supply rating and connection type to the motherboard.
• Appearance – There are many case designs to choose from.
• Status Display – LEDs mounted on outside of case tell you if the system has power, when the
hard drive is in use, and when the computer is in sleep or hibernate mode.
• Vents – All cases have a vent on the power supply, and some have a vent in the back to draw air
out of into the system. Some cases have even more vents.

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Open the Case and Connect the Power Supply
Select the Case and Fans (Cont.)
Case fans should be installed to move cooler air into the computer case while moving heat out of the case.

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Open the Case and Connect the Power Supply
Select a Power Supply
• Power supplies convert AC input to DC output voltages.
• Power supplies typically provide voltages of 3.3V, 5V, and 12V, and are measured in wattage.
• The power supply must provide enough power for the installed components and allow for other
components that may be added at a later time.
• If you choose a power supply that powers only the current components, you might need to replace the
power supply when other components are upgraded.

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Open the Case and Connect the Power Supply
Lab – Install the Power Supply

In this lab, you will install a power supply in a computer case.

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Install the Motherboard Components
Video Demonstration – Install the CPU

This is a video demonstration about installing the CPU:

Step 1: Orient the CPU to the CPU slot.
Step 2: Press the CPU into the CPU slot.
Step 3: Lock the CPU into place.
Step 4: Apply thermal paste to the CPU.
Step 5: Install the heatsink.
Step 6: Secure the heatsink.

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Install the Motherboard Components
Video Demonstration – Install the RAM

This is a video demonstration about installing the RAM:

Step 1: Open the RAM slot levers.
Step 2: Orient the RAM chip to the motherboard slot.
Step 3: Lower the RAM chip into the slot.
Step 4: Press down firmly to lock the RAM chip.

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Install the Motherboard Components
Video Demonstration – Install the Motherboard

This is a video demonstration about installing the motherboard:

Step 1: Align the motherboard in the correct direction.
Step 2: Locate the standoffs.
Step 3: Install standoffs in the computer case.
Step 4: Align I/O plate to back of computer case.
Step 5: Lower motherboard into place.
Step 6: Install the screws into the standoffs.

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Install the Motherboard Components
Select the Motherboard
When selecting a replacement
motherboard, make sure that it supports or
accommodates:
• CPU
• RAM
• Video adapter, other adapter cards
• Socket and chipset on motherboard are
compatible with the CPU
• The existing heat sink and fan
assembly when reusing the CPU
• The number/type of expansion slots.
They must match the existing adapter
cards and allow for new cards
• The existing power supply connections
must fit the new motherboard.
• New motherboard must fit into the
current computer case.

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Install the Motherboard Components
Select the CPU and CPU Cooling
• Before you buy a CPU, make sure that it is compatible with the existing motherboard.
• Manufacturers’ websites are a good resource to investigate the compatibility between CPUs and other
devices.
• The following tables list the various Intel and AMD sockets available and their supported processors.

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Install the Motherboard Components
Select the CPU and CPU Cooling (Cont. 1)
• The speed of a modern processor is measured in GHz. A maximum speed rating refers to the maximum
speed at which a processor can function without errors. Two primary factors can limit the speed of a
processor:
• Transmission Delay - The processor chip is a collection of transistors interconnected by wires.
Transmitting data through the transistors and wires creates delays.
• Heat Generation - As the transistors change state from on to off or off to on, a small amount of heat is
generated. The amount of heat generated increases as the speed of the processor increases. When
the processor becomes too hot, it begins to produce errors.
• The front-side bus (FSB) is the path between the CPU and the Northbridge. It is used to connect various
components, such as the chipset, expansion cards, and RAM.
• Data can travel in both directions across the FSB. The frequency of the bus is measured in MHz. The
frequency at which a CPU operates is determined by applying a clock multiplier to the FSB speed. For
example, a processor running at 3200 MHz might be using a 400 MHz FSB. 3200 MHz divided by 400 MHz
is 8, so the CPU is eight times faster than the FSB.
• Processors are further classified as 32-bit and 64-bit. The primary difference is the number of instructions
that can be handled by the processor at one time.

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Install the Motherboard Components
Select the CPU and CPU Cooling (Cont. 2)
• The CPU is one of the most expensive and sensitive components in the computer case.
• The CPU can become very hot; therefore, most CPUs require an air-cooled or liquid cooled
heat sink, combined with a fan for cooling.

• The table lists several factors to consider when choosing a CPU cooling system.

Choosing a CPU Cooling

System

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Install the Motherboard Components
Select the RAM
New RAM may be needed when an application locks up or
the computer displays frequent error messages. To
determine if the problem is the RAM, execute the RAM test
in the BIOS. The speed of the new RAM must be supported
by the chipset.

Memory may also be categorized as unbuffered or buffered:

• Unbuffered memory – This is regular memory for
computers. The computer reads data directly from the
memory banks making it faster than buffered memory.
• Buffered memory – Specialized memory for servers and
high-end workstations that use a large amount of RAM.
These have a control chip built into the module that
assists the memory controller in managing large
quantities of RAM.

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Install the Motherboard Components
Lab - Install the Motherboard in a Computer

In this lab, you will install a CPU, a heat sink/fan assembly,

and RAM module(s) on the motherboard. You will then install the
motherboard into the computer case.

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Install Internal Drives
Video Demonstration - Install the Drives
This is a video demonstration about installing the Drives:
Hard Drive
Step 1: Position the HDD so that it aligns with the drive ay opening. The power and interface
connectors should be facing out towards the motherboard.
Step 2: Insert the HDD into the drive bay so that the screw holes in the drive line up with the screw
holes in the case.
Step 3: Secure the HDD to the case using the proper screws.

Optical Drive
Step 1: From the front of the case, choose the drive bay that you want to hold the drive. Remove the
faceplate from that bay if necessary.
Step 2: Position the optical so that it aligns with the 5.25 inch (13.34 cm.) drive bay opening at the
front of the case.
Step 3: Insert the optical drive into the drive bay so that the optical drive screw holes align with the
screw holes in the case.
Step 4: Secure the optical drive to the case using the proper screws.

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Install Internal Drives
Select Hard Drives

• You may need to replace an internal storage device when it no longer meets your customer’s
needs, or it fails.
• Signs that an internal storage device is failing might be unusual noises, unusual vibrations, error
messages, or even corrupt data or applications that do not load.
• Internal drives usually connect to the motherboard with SATA while external drives connect with
USB, eSATA, or Thunderbolt.
• Legacy motherboards may only offer the IDE or EIDE interface.
• When selecting a HDD, it is important to choose one that is compatible with the interfaces offered
by the motherboard.
• Most internal HDDs are available in the 3.5 inch (8.9 cm) form factor, however 2.5 inch (6.4 cm)
drives are becoming popular. SSDs are generally available in the 2.5 inch (6.4 cm) form factor.

• Note: SATA and eSATA cables are similar but they are not interchangeable.

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Install Internal Drives
Select Hard Drives (Cont.)
Factors to consider when purchasing a new hard disk drive are listed in the figure.

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Install Internal Drives
Select Optical Drives
Factors to consider when purchasing an optical drive are listed below the figure.

Optical Drive Capabilities

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Install Internal Drives
Install the Hard Drive
A computer case holds drives in drive bays. The table describes the three most common types of
drive bays.

• To install an HDD, find an empty hard drive bay in the case that will accommodate the width of
the drive, as shown in the figure.
• When installing multiple drives in a case, it is recommended to maintain some space between the
drives to help airflow and enhance cooling.
• Also, mount the drive with the metal side face up. This metal face helps to dissipate heat from the
hard drive.
© 2016 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 37
Install Internal Drives
Install the Hard Drive (Cont.)

Installation Tip: Slightly hand-tighten all the screws before tightening any of them with a
screwdriver. This will make it easier to tighten the last two screws.

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Install Internal Drives
Install the Optical Drive

Step 1. From the front of the case, choose the drive bay
that you want to hold the drive. Remove the faceplate
from that bay if necessary.
Step 2: Position the optical drive so that it aligns with the
5.25 inch (13.34 cm.) drive bay opening at the front of
the case, as shown in the figure.
Step 3. Insert the optical drive into the drive bay so that
the optical drive screw holes align with the screw holes
in the case.
Step 4. Secure the optical drive to the case using the
proper screws.
Installation Tip: Slightly hand-tighten all the screws
before tightening any of them with a screw driver. This
will make it easier to tighten the last two screws.

© 2016 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 39
Install Internal Drives
Lab – Install the Drives
In this lab, you will install the hard disk and optical drives.

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Install the Adapter Cards
Video Demonstration – Install the Adapter Cards

This is a video demonstration about installing the Adapter Cards:

Step 1: Find an empty PCIe x16 slot on the case and remove the small metal cover.
Step 2: Align the video adapter card to the appropriate expansion slot on the
motherboard.
Step 3: Press down gently on the video adapter card until it is fully seated.
Step 4: Secure the video adapter card mounting bracket to the case with the
appropriate screw.

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Install the Adapter Cards
Select Adapter Cards
Adapter cards are designed for a specific task and add
extra functionality to a computer. There are a variety of
adapter cards: PCI
• Graphics
• Sound
• Storage Controller
• I/O
• NIC
• Capture
PCIe x1
Adapter cards are inserted into two types of expansion
slots on a motherboard:
• Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI)
• PCI Express (PCIe) – PCIe has four types of slots;
x1, x4, x8, and x16. PCIe x16

Note: If the motherboard does not have a compatible

expansion slot, an external device may be an option.
© 2016 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 42
Install the Adapter Cards
Other Factors for Adapter Card Selection
Before purchasing an adapter card, consider the following questions:
• What are the user’s current and future needs?
• Is there an open and compatible expansion slot available?
• What are the possible configuration options?

Adapter Card Consideration

• Slot type
• Amount and speed of video RAM (VRAM)
Graphics Card
• Graphics Processor Unit (GPU)
• Maximum Resolution
• Slot type
• Digital signal processor (DSP)
Sound Card
• Port and connection types
• Signal-to-noise ratio
• Slot type
• Connector quantity
• Internal or external connectors
Storage Controller Card • Card size
• Controller card RAM
• Controller card processor
• RAID type

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Install the Adapter Cards
Other Factors for Adapter Card Selection (Cont.)
Before purchasing an adapter card, consider the following questions:
• What are the user’s current and future needs?
• Is there an open and compatible expansion slot available?
• What are the possible configuration options?

Adapter Card Consideration

• Slot ratio
• I/O port type
I/O Card
• I/O port quantity
• Additional power requirements
• Slot type
• Speed
NIC • Connector type
• Wired or wireless connection
• Standards compatibility
• Storage
• Resolution and frame rate
Capture Card • I/O port
• Format standards
• Input interface types

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Install the Adapter Cards
Install the Adapter Cards
Expansion cards are installed into an appropriate
slot on the motherboard.

• Many video adapter cards require separate

power from the power supply using a 6-pin or
8-pin power connector.

• Installation Tip: Research the length of the

video card. Longer cards may not be
compatible with certain motherboards. Some
adapter cards may come with mounting
brackets of different heights to accommodate
these cases.
• Installation Tip: Some cases have small slots
at the bottom of the hole where the cover was
removed. Slide the bottom of the mounting
bracket into this slot before seating the card.

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Install the Adapter Cards
Lab - Install Adapter Card

In this lab, you will install a NIC, a wireless NIC, and a video adapter card

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Select Additional Storage
Select a Media Reader

Several media card formats have been developed

over the years including:

• Secure digital (SD)

• MicroSD
• MiniSD
• CompactFlash
• Memory Stick
• xD

Choose a media reader based on current and

future needs.

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Select Additional Storage
Select External Storage
External USB flash drives, sometimes
called thumb drives, are commonly
used as removable external storage.
External storage devices connect to
an external port using USB, eSATA,
or Thunderbolt ports.

Choose the correct type of external

storage for your customer’s needs.
For example, if your customer needs
to transfer a small amount of data,
such as a single presentation, an
external flash drive is a good choice.
If your customer needs to back up or
transfer large amounts of data,
choose an external hard drive.

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Install the Cables
Video Demonstration – Connect the Internal Power Cables

This is a video demonstration about connecting the internal power cables:

• Step 1: Align the 24-pin ATX power connector to the socket on the
motherboard.
• Step 2: Gently press down on the connector until the clip clicks into place.
• Step 3: Align the 4-pin auxiliary power connector to the socket on the
motherboard.
• Step 4: Gently press down on the connector until the clip clicks into place.
• Step 5: Align the CPU fan power connector to the socket on the
motherboard.
• Step 6: Gently press down on the connector until the clip clicks into place.

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Install the Cables
Video Demonstration – Connect the Internal Data Cables

This is a video demonstration about connecting the internal data cables:

• Step 1: Align the SATA cable and plug one end into the motherboard socket.
• Step 2: Align the other end of the SATA cable and plug it into the smaller SATA
port on the drive.

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Install the Cables
Lab – Install Internal Cables

In this lab, you will install the internal power and data cables in the computer.

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Install the Cables
Video Demonstration – Install the Front Panel Cables
This is a video demonstration about connecting the front panel cables:
• Step 1: Plug the power cable into the system panel connector in the location
marked PWR_SW.
• Step 2: Plug the reset cable into the system panel connector in the location
marked RESET.
• Step 3: Plug the power LED cable into the system panel connector in the location
marked PWR_LED.
• Step 4: Plug the drive activity LED into the system panel connector in the location
marked HDD_LED.
• Step 5: Plug the speaker cable into the system panel connector in the location
marked SPEAKER.
• Step 6: Plug the USB cable into the USB connector.
• Step 7: Plug the audio cable into the audio connector.
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Install the Cables
Install the Front Panel Cables
• A computer case
typically has a power
button and visible activity
lights on the front of the
case.
• The case will include
front panel cables that
must be connected to a
common system panel
connector on a
motherboard. System Panel Connector
• Writing on the
motherboard near the
system panel connector Front Panel Connectors
shows where each cable
is connected.

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Install the Cables
Install the Front Panel Cables (Cont.)
System panel connectors include:
• Power Button
• Reset Button
• Power LED
• Drive Activity LEDs
• System Speaker
• Audio

System panel connectors are not

keyed. However, each front panel
cable usually has a small arrow
indicating pin 1, and each pair of System Panel Connector Pin 1
LED pins on the motherboard Indicator
system panel connector has pin 1
marked with a plus sign (+).
Pin 1 Arrow Indicator

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Install the Cables
Install the Front Panel Cables (Cont.)
New cases and motherboards
have USB 3.0 or USB 3.1
capabilities. USB connector
cables are often 9 or 10 pins
arranged in two rows. These
cables connect to USB
motherboard connectors. This
arrangement allows for two
USB Motherboard Connectors
USB connections, so USB
connectors are often in pairs.
Sometimes the two
connectors are together in
one piece and can be
connected to the entire USB
motherboard connector.

Internal USB Connector

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Install the Cables
Install the Front Panel Cables (Cont. 1)
Front Panel Connection Specifics
Aling pin 1 of the two-pin front panel power cable with the power button pins on
Power Button
the motherboard.
Aling pin 1 of the two-pin front panel reset button cable with the reset pins on the
Reset Button
motherboard.
Aling pin 1 of the front panel power LED cable with the power LED pins on the
Power LED
motherboard.
Aling pin 1 of the front panel drive activity cable with the drive activity pins on the
Drive Activity LED
motherboard.
Aling pin 1 of the front panel system speaker cable with the system speaker pins
System Speaker
on the motherboard.
Due to the specialized function and variety of the hardware, consult the
Audio Cables
motherboard, case, and audio panel documentation for specific instructions.
USB Aling pin 1 of the USB cable with the USB pins on the motherboard.

© 2016 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 56
Install the Cables
Install the Front Panel Cables (Cont. 2)

• Generally, if a button or LED does not function, the connector is incorrectly oriented.

• To correct this, shut down the computer and unplug it, open the case, and turn the connector
around for the button or LED that does not function.

• To avoid wiring incorrectly, some manufacturers include a keyed pin extender that combines
multiple front-panel cables (i.e., power and reset LEDs) connectors into one connector.

Installation Tip: The panel connector and case cable ends are very small. Take pictures of them
to locate pin 1. Because space in the case can be limited at the end of assembly, a part retriever
can be used to plug the cables into the connectors.

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Install the Cables
Lab - Install the Front Panel Cables

In this lab, you will install the front panel cables in the computer.

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Install the Cables
Video Demonstration – Complete the Computer Assembly
This is a video demonstration about completing the computer assembly:

• Step 1: Reattach the front panel (if necessary).

• Step 2: Plug the power cable into the power supply.
• Step 3: Orient and connect USB cables to USB ports.
• Step 4: Orient and connect the video cable to the video port on the video adapter.
• Step 5: Tighten the video cable screws to the video adapter.
• Step 6: Connect the network cable to the Ethernet port.
• Step 7: Connect the audio cables to the audio ports.
• Step 8: Place the side panel cover onto the case and slide it closed.
• Step 9: Tighten any screws to secure the side panel cover.

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Install the Cables
Lab – Complete the Computer Assembly

In this lab, you will install the side panels and the external cables on the computer.

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2.2 Chapter Summary

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Conclusion
Chapter 2: PC Assembly

• Build a computer.
• Define general and fire safety standards.
• Connect the power supply.
• Install the motherboard components.
• Install internal drives.
• Install the adapter cards.
• Identify additional storage.
• Connect computer components with appropriate cables.

© 2016 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 62