Running head: PC Manual Part 1 1

PC Build Manual Part 1

Ryan Newman

University of Maryland University College

18 Jan 2017

PC Build Part 1 2

Preparing the workstation:

Before starting installations or modifications to a computer system it is strongly

recommend that the equipment is unplugged to prevent electrocution. Most modern power

supplies feed constant DC power to a motherboard, even when the system is turned off.

To prevent electrostatic discharge which could damage computer components it is

advised to place the equipment and yourself on an antistatic mat and to wear an antistatic wrist

band, as shown by [1]. Doing so will ensure you and the equipment stay at a equal charge. Avoid

having plastic or Styrofoam materials in your workstation, these two materials are known to

transfer static and should not be handled while working on a computer system. If working in a

room with a carpeted floor, it is recommended to place an antistatic mat on the floor for you to

stand on.

The tool you will most likely need for installing some computer equipment according to

[2] is a Phillips No. 2 screwdriver. So it is advised you have one ready in order to install the

power supply, and to remove expansion bay slot covers if installing an expansion card.

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It is also to have the computer parts you will be using ready for use. The following parts

you will need to do this particular build are as follows:

(1) ATX computer case

(1) motherboard with a 1366 socket

(1) ATX power supply with a 20+4 pin connector and PCIe connector

(1) processor, i7-960, 3.20 Ghz, 8mb Cache, LGA 1366, 130W

(1) tube of thermal paste

(1) processor heat sink/fan, socket 1366

(3) system memory sticks, Corsair Vengeance DDR3 2GB 1600

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Installing the Motherboard:

For this build we will be installing a motherboard with a 1366 socket type. First thing we

must do is remove the side panel from the ATX computer case. To do this remove the screws on

the back of the panel and slide the panel off, as shown by [3].

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With the panel removed you should ensure the antistatic wrist band and mat are both

secured to a metal surface of the case. Thus ensuring equilibrium between yourself and the case,

as shown by [4].

Next we need to install the standoffs into the case. The standoffs will ensure that the

motherboard will not touch the case directly, according to [5]. If the motherboard were to touch

the case directly and power is turned on; it would send electricity through out the entire case as

well.

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The standoffs will be installed into these marked holes, demonstrated in [6].

Standoffs should be installed by hand, once the standoffs are hand tight, then they are

good to go. You may notice that there are more holes in the case then needed, this is so the case

can mount other motherboards of different sizes.

Line the motherboard on the stand offs and place a screw one at a time into the standoffs

to secure the board in place. Once the motherboard is lined up and all screws have been placed

into their stand off, tighten them down, but not too tight to cause damage to the motherboard. A

snug fit is all that is required, as shown by [6].

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Installing the Power Supply:

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This build requires a power supply that can fit an ATX computer case, has a 20+4 power

connector, and a PCIe adapter for a video card upgrade, demonstrated by [6].

The power supply will be installed in the top left corner of the ATX case. A power supply is

secured into the case by four screws that pass through the case and into the power supply, shown

by [7].

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Take note that some power supplies have a switch to control the input power from the

outlet. If you are living in a country that uses 115 volts or 230 volts be sure to adjust the switch

accordingly to the power your building is supplying, as represented by [8].

Once the power supply is properly secured, plug the 20+4 pin connector into the

motherboard. This is illustrated by yellow highlights, demonstrated by [6].

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Installing the Central Processing Unit (CPU):

For this build we are using an i7-960, 3.20 Ghz, 8mb Cache, LGA 1366, 130W. [6]

To install the processor you must first open the cover by pushing down on the metal

latch, as shown by [9], and pulling it up towards the top of the motherboard. With the latch up

the cover will pop open.

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Next we must prepare to insert the processor. To do this correctly we must line pin 1 on

the CPU with pin 1 on the socket, as shown by [9]. The processor is marked with a small golden

triangle to indicate where pin 1 is located.

With the markings lined up press the processor into the socket; this does not take a lot of

force. According to [6], if you feel resistance at any point stop! If you feel resistance, take the

processor back out and then try to realign it again. Once the processor is installed close the cover

and lock the cover with the lever.

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The next step we must take is applying thermal paste to the processor. According to [10]

thermal paste increases heat transfer from the CPU to the heat sink installed on top of the

processor.

Only a pea sized drop of thermal paste onto the processor is needed, as shown by [10].

When the heat sink is installed it will spread the thermal past over the CPU.

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After we applied the thermal paste we then need to connect the heat sink and CPU fan.

Notice that the heat sink has four mounting pins that need to be inserted into the

motherboard, whom also has four holes designed to fit these pins, as shown by [6].

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With the heat sink and fan installed, we can plug the CPU fan into the motherboard. This

is shown by [6] with yellow highlighting. It's cable can be plugged in at the top of the

motherboard.

Next we provide power to the processor by plugging in the Power Supply's 8 pin power

connector, as shown by [6].

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Installing System Memory (RAM):

The motherboard specifies that it is designed to use DDR3 memory, either 1GB or 2GB

sticks, and up to 1600Mhz, according to [6]. To maximize this motherboard's system memory we

will install 3 Corsair Vengeance, DDR3, 2GB, 1600 sticks of memory in triple channel mode.

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The motherboard's manual states to achieve it's max 1600Mhz we must set the RAM in

triple channel mode. To properly set the RAM in triple channel mode we must refer to the

manual for the motherboard which tells us each position of the DIM slots. From left to right as

demonstrated by [6]: DIM A2, A1, DIM B2, B1, DIM C1, and C2. Further more, the manual

informs us that Triple Channel must be setup using DIM slots A1, B1, and C1 only. The DIM

slots colored blue further help us recognize the correct slots we need to use.

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According to [6], when inserting the RAM be sure to line the notch in the RAM with the

notch on the motherboard, this is to help prevent improper installation.

You will know the RAM is installed correctly when the white tabs on the top and bottom

have locked into place. As demonstrated by [6].

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IEEE References for PC Manual Part 1:

[1] Desco. (2016, Jan. 19). Is It OK to Connect Wrist Strap to Mat Using Alligator Clip?

[Online]. Available: https://descoesd.wordpress.com/2014/01/27/is-it-ok-to-connect-wrist-strap-

to-mat-using-alligator-clip/. Accessed Jan. 23, 2017.

[2] M. Chiappetta. (2013, Dec. 13). Essential tools for building, repairing, and upgrading PCs

(and other electronic devices) [Online]. Available:

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2017370/essential-tools-for-building-repairing-and-upgrading-

pcs-and-other-electronic-devices.html. Accessed Jan. 23, 2017.

[3] My Computer Will Not Turn On. (n.d.). Puget Systems. [Online]. Available:

https://www.pugetsystems.com/pic_disp.php?id=11703. Accessed Jan. 23, 2017.

[4] Element Links. (n.d.). Pearson CMG. [Online]. Available:

http://ptgmedia.pearsoncmg.com/images/chap2_9781587133084/elementLinks/aa0208.jpg.

Accessed Jan. 23, 2017.

[5] A. Baker, J. Johnson, R. Scott, and C. Tripp. (n.d.). How To Build a PC/Materials [Online].

Available:

http://www2.latech.edu/~bmagee/303groups/303_summer_09/computers/materials.htm.

Accessed Jan. 23, 2017.

[6] 13.1 Build a Computer From Scratch. (n.d.). TestOut. [Online]. Available:

http://cdn.testout.com/client-v5-1-10-392/startlabsim.html?culture=en-us. Accessed Jan. 23,

2017.

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[7] How to Install a Power Supply. (n.d.). Dennis Publishing. [Online]. Available:

http://www.alphr.com/features/378892/how-to-install-a-power-supply. Accessed Jan. 23, 2017.

[8] T. Fisher. (2016, Sept. 14). What is a Power Supply Voltage Switch? [Online]. Available:

https://www.lifewire.com/power-supply-voltage-switch-2625973. Accessed Jan. 24, 2017.

[9] Build a PC Part 1. (n.d.). PC Builders. [Online]. Available:

http://qbjweb.com/pcbuilders/part1.php. Accessed Jan. 24, 2017.

[10] Thermal Grease (n.d.). Wikipedia. [Online]. Available:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_grease. Accessed Jan. 24, 2017.