Not always in electronics stores you can find a ready-made computer that fully meets the requirements. In addition, many may be frightened off by the margin on the finished package. The output will be self-assembly of the system unit. It is important to choose the right accessories, ensuring full compatibility and the optimal combination of characteristics. Further, following the rules and following the procedure, it is necessary to assemble the system unit. In fact, this is a fairly simple process: it is simply impossible to connect something incorrectly due to the efforts of manufacturers.
What is needed for assembly
Before assembling the system unit yourself, you will need to prepare the following:
- Body. We check in the specifications the support for the required format of the motherboard.
- Motherboard.
- CPU.
- CPU cooling system. Often comes with it.
- RAM.
- Hard disk or SSD. Perhaps both at once.
- Power Supply.
- Video card if there is no built-in or its power is not enough.
- Crosshead screwdriver.
- Thermal grease.
- Vinyl screeds
Install the processor
When buying a processor and motherboard, it is important to check their compatibility. Sockets must match. You can find out this information in the characteristics of components. Installation, for greater convenience, is carried out outside the housing.
If you have Intel, you need to move the lever out from under the latch, and then lift it up. Then we take out the protective plastic cover and install the processor with the contacts down. For proper positioning, small triangles are applied to the processor and socket in the corner. They must match.
Make sure that the processor is exactly in place, not loose, and not skewed. Next, lower the lever and fix it in place. Assembling the system unit with our own hands, we proceed with caution: the processor is pressed tightly, and a little effort is required, but we must act carefully and prevent distortion or incomplete installation.
AMD processors are installed in a similar way. You must also raise the lever to the side. Next, we put the processor so that the triangle in the corner coincides with the same on the socket. We check that the processor sits correctly in place, and then lower and fix the lever.
Cooling system
Before installing the cooling system, it is necessary to apply thermal grease to the metal cover protecting the processor chip. It is not necessary to apply a lot, just one drop exactly in the center is enough. The cooling system itself will distribute it on the surface.
There are 4 holes around the processor. They need to insert the feet of the cooling system. They must be in the closed position. Gently push until we hear 4 clicks.
Next, connect the power to the cooler. The power connector we need is usually located on top of the motherboard and is signed as CPUFAN. These are 4 sticking pins.
On motherboards for AMD processors, a plastic mount for the cooler is immediately installed. It is enough to apply thermal grease, apply cooling and hook the side metal clips in the center of the plastic base.
A standard cooling system is sufficient for most tasks. It is only important to worry about a good flow of air. If you want to overclock the processor or assemble the system unit quiet, you will need to buy a more efficient cooling system.
In this case, you need to check the compatibility with your socket if you are using Intel, but AMD’s mount has not changed since the time of their first processors.
RAM
The next step in the assembly of the system unit with your own hands will be the installation of RAM. For new systems, these will be DDR4 strips, but if not the latest generation processors are used, then DDR3 may be suitable. The maximum supported capacity, frequency and type of memory can be found in the characteristics of the motherboard.
On the RAM, in the contact zone, there is a small groove that will help insert the memory on the right side. If the motherboard supports 4 or more brackets, you need to check in the instructions for the motherboard which connector is best inserted. For example, usually the manufacturer indicates the 2 and 4 connectors.
Power Supply Installation
The next is the power supply. Its installation depends on the case, and more precisely, on whether it has an upper or lower installation. The latter is better, since it draws in air from below, and not from a hot case. On the other hand, this way more dust gets into it, so you should install a fine mesh inside the case.
Regardless of the installation method, the fan always look down, and the switch - towards the rear wall of the housing. There you will find special holes that must match those on the power supply. Then it can be screwed.
If the PSU is modular, install the necessary contacts for power.
Motherboard installation
The next step is to install the board in the case. Usually the 12V power connector is tight. If it is possible to insert it in advance, and it will not interfere with the installation, you should do this before installing the motherboard, otherwise it will noticeably bend in the process.
The motherboard is installed in the case on special metal legs. Sometimes they are preinstalled, but often you have to do it yourself. You need to know the form factor of the motherboard, as the number of mounts and their location are different. Often manufacturers mark holes on the cases or indicate them in the instructions.
After installing the legs on them, you can put the motherboard, first inserting the plug into the back of the case, and then aligning the contacts on it. Next, screw the board.
At this stage, it is better to connect the front panel of the case to the motherboard. It's about audio input, USB and buttons. Later, doing this will be inconvenient.
Information carriers
In this regard, for many buildings, everything is individual. However, they must have a removable cage for quick removal or holes in the housing itself to secure the media.
Video card
The penultimate step is to install a video card. First, you need to remove or break off the plugs on the back of the case. For starters, it’s better to roughly attach a card so as not to break the excess.
Next, just insert the video card into the upper slot with the fans down until we hear a characteristic click. Last step: we fasten it to the back wall of the case for reliable fixing.
Connection
When all the filling is installed, it's time to move on to connecting the power and the necessary interfaces. How to assemble the system unit to be beautiful? It already depends on the block itself. Modern expensive models have special holes in the side wall, under which you can bring all the wires. It is beautiful, does not interfere with the flow of air, and it is also easier to remove dust.
We connect to the motherboard a 12V connector on 24 pins. Next, connect the processor power to 8 pins. If necessary, you will need to connect power to the video card. The presence and number of contacts depend on its power. Next, connect the fans in the case to the motherboard. The connectors are the same as for cooling the processor.
The next step is to connect power to the hard drive. Then a SATA cable for transferring information to the disk and the motherboard. The cable is double-sided, and the contacts are the same. For a beautiful installation, vinyl screeds will be required.
How much it costs to assemble a system unit depends on the specific tasks and characteristics. With a limited budget, you need to carefully consider your priorities. For example, to work with photos and drawings, the emphasis is on the processor. Do not be afraid to assemble the system unit yourself: it is easy and simple to do.