Build A Computer

Now that you have obtained all the necessary parts you can begin to build your computer! This guide will take you through fitting all the necessary hardware using a step by step guide. Once done you can follow our installing windows guide to get an operating system on there!

Please also make sure you are protected from ESD (electrostatic discharge) To do this please wear an anti-static wrist strap. Otherwise static from your body can harm your conponents.

Step 1	The first step to building your computer is to get your computer case and take off both the sides. It should look something like this...
Step 2	Next get your power supply and screw this in - the screw holes are located at the back of the computer case, just line up the holes.
Step 3	Now we will fit the CD/DVD drive. On the front of the case there will be a panel that you can pull off revealing a slot. Then you just slide the CD/DVD drive in from the front and screw in from the side.
Step 4	If you have a floppy drive - now is the time to fit it. It goes in practically the same way as the CD/DVD drive.
Step 5	Now were going to fit the hard drive. To do this just slide the hard drive into one of the provided slots and screw in from the sides.
Step 6	After fitting the hard drive we are going to fit the motherboard. There are screw hole on the back of your case, just line up the holes on the computer case with the hole on your motherboard. Also make sure you line up the back panel with the slots. (As seen below)
Step 7	Its time to fit the CPU. There will be a little lever that you must pull up before you insert the CPU, push this back down when its in to secure it.
Step 8	To cool the CPU you need to fit the heat sink and fan. There are many different attachments to fit the heat sink/fan but they are all fairly easy to master. (Usually screws or clips and are easily visible). Once in you need to connect up the wire, this is usually a 3 or 4 pin plug and requires only a push fit.
Step 9	Now we fit the RAM, otherwise know as memory. For these you just push it into place - however make sure its the right way round and gap lines up.
Step 10	Now were going to wire everything up, starting with the audio and USB. These are usually marked on your motherboard and the cables will have AUDIO and USB printed on them.
Step 11	We will now fit the front panel connectors, this is to make your power button and lights on the front of the case work. All the cables are labeled and you just match them up with the print on the motherboard.
Step 12	At this point we will connect up you hard drive and CD/DVD drive. There are two types of connection that you may encounter (SATA & IDE) - they are both very simple to connect and you simply slot into the connectors available and they are exactly the same on both ends.
Step 13	If you decided to buy a graphics card or sound card.. or both, you will want to fit it now. This just slots into place on the motherboard, again be careful just line it up before you push it in. Then screw it in to secure it.
Step 14	Last step!! Time to put in the power cables. You will have two that go into the motherboard, one in your CD/DVD drive and one in your hard drive.
	Now your done - Congratulations on building your own computer. Wasn't too hard was it? Now you need to install an operating system. For a guide on how to do this please go to our Installing Windows section.