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Installing Components

When installing new computer hardware you should always ensure your hands and surface are dry and the workplace and your person are electrically grounded. This will make sure that static electricity isn’t generated which can damage your computer components.

Power Supply

Power Supplies generally are already attached to your case when you buy them. However should your power supply need replacing this will help. The power supply is placed into the case with the fan, AC power input and switch facing outward. This will allow for all of your internal power cables to hang loosely in your case. The power supply connects to a number of components within your system however the main connections are to your fans, hard drives and main motherboard power.

Processor (CPU)

When installing the CPU ensure that you have selected the correct chip for your motherboard, this includes both socket type and manufacturer (AMD or Intel). Once selected and you have removed your chip from the packaging ensure that you only touch the edges and not the prongs. Any dirt or damage to these prongs will render the (very expensive) chip useless. The markers and notches in the corner and edges of the chip allow you to line up the CPU with the motherboard socket. Once in place apply some thermal paste to the top of the processor, without this paste your chip will overheat. If your motherboard socket has a catch to secure the CPU this can now be lowered over the processor and secured with the latch. You will then need to secure the heatsink fan to the mothboard and connect the power to the motherboard as seen in last picture. The following video shows step-by-step instructions of how to install both AMD and Intel processors.

Random Access Memory (RAM)

First check your manufacturer handbook for your motherboard to ensure that you have the correct time, there are also online tools to assist if the manual has been misplaced. Simply line up the pins and notches with your motherboard (they will only fit one way) and push down firmly until the memory clicks into place. If your motherboard supports Dual Channel RAM you should refer to your manual as to which slots (colour combination) should be used to ensure your RAM runs at its full potential.

Hard Drive (HDD)

Hard Drives are pretty much universal so it is hard for you to choose a wrong model (unless your system is really old and uses IDE still). Secure your hard drive into an empty bay in your case. Generally HDD bays sit underneath CD/DVD-Rom drives if you have a tower configuration. Once secured you can locate your SATA connection on your motherboard and make a connection between this and the back of the hard drive. If this is your only hard drive in the system then your SATA cable will plug into SATA 0. When the data connection is completed you will need to connect the power to your new hard drive. Find a free power connection coming from your power box or if you have used them all you can purchase an adaptor to add more.

Graphics Card

The only variation with installing a graphics card is if you choose an AGP or PCIe. AGP slots on your motherboard are generally brown and have a latch to secure the card in place. PCIe slots are the same slots that you plug in all of your other expansion cards (they dont require a latch to secure them). Some graphics cards, usually the high end model, require aditional power then that what is given via the PCIe slot. For these models you will need to attach an additional 4-pin power connection or what ever the interface require.