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

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
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
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
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. 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
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
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.
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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.

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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
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.
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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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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
Demonstration – Connect the Internal Power Cables

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
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
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
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.

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