PC hardware, step by step
CMOS battery, RAM, CPU and thermal paste, graphics card, M.2 and SATA drives, cables and first boot.
PC hardware, step by step
- CPU into the motherboard, outside the case, on its box ·
- Cooler (or its bracket) and thermal paste ·
- Memory ·
- M.2 drive ·
- Standoffs in the case where the board's holes are, the I/O shield if separate, then the motherboard
- Power supply
- Graphics card ·
- SATA drives ·
- Cables, then the first start in the BIOS ·
CPU, cooler, memory and M.2 go on the board before it's in the case: there's room to see and nothing to reach around. Every standoff must line up with a hole in the board; one in the wrong place can short it.
Safety
- Never open a power supply: its capacitors can hold a dangerous charge long after it's unplugged.
- Coin-cell batteries can cause severe internal burns if swallowed. Keep new and used ones away from children, and recycle the old one.
- Your motherboard's manual comes first: slot numbering, standoff positions and connectors differ by board.
- Opening a pre-built PC can affect its warranty: check before you start.
General information, not professional advice: your manual and local rules come first. You use this at your own risk; see our Terms.
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