Basic Computer Assembly

About This Manual

This manual contains instructions for assembling a basic desktop computer.

Materials

PART NAME PART NUMBER MANUFACTURER QUANTITY

Case

PC-Q11B Lian Li 1

CPU

BX80646I34150 Intel 1

Hard Drive

AGT3-25SAT3-120G

OCZ Storage Solutions

1

Heat Sink

E97379-001 Intel 1

I/O Shield

(part of motherboard assembly)

ASUS 1

Motherboard

90MB0F30-M0EAY0

ASUS 1

Power Supply

SST-ST50F-P SilverStone 1

RAM

F3-1600C9D-8GAB G. SKILL 2

Tools and Support Equipment

Set of crosshead and flathead screwdrivers

Anti-static mat

Before You Assemble

Several parts used in this procedure are sensitive to electrostatic discharge.

CAUTION

To prevent equipment damage, cover all areas of your work surface with a clean anti-

static mat.

Most computer parts are keyed for correct installation of mating parts. The design of a keyed

part provides visual cues indicating the orientation that the part must follow to allow proper

insertion into the matching slot of another part. Observe the keying of the parts in this procedure

before following the steps.

CAUTION

If you encounter any difficulty while inserting a part into a slot or a header, make sure

that the part is oriented correctly before you proceed. Using excessive force to insert a

part can damage the connecting surfaces of the part and the slot or header.

Procedure

1. Insert the RAM modules into the two RAM slots on the motherboard (see Figure 1).

Figure 1

CAUTION

Slide your fingers under the RAM slots for support to ensure that the motherboard does

not bend from force.

2. Push down firmly on the RAM modules until the retaining clips on the RAM slots click.

3. Push down on the latch of the CPU socket, and slide it out of the hole (see Figure 2).

Figure 2

4. Lift the latch to raise the CPU socket cover and expose the CPU socket pins.

CAUTION

Do not touch the pins on the CPU socket. Bent or damaged pins can cause damage to

the CPU or the motherboard.

CAUTION

Hold the CPU by the edges to prevent oil, dust, or dirt on the CPU surface.

5. Gently place the CPU on the CPU socket of the motherboard (see Figure 3).

Figure 3

6. Lower the latch to close the CPU socket cover.

7. Push down on the latch, and slide it into the hole to secure.

NOTE

The plastic part of the CPU socket cover will automatically pop out when the cover is

closed. Remove and discard this part.

8. Find the CPU fan header on the motherboard (see Figure 4).

Figure 4

CAUTION

Do not touch the thermal contact pads under the heat sink.

9. Place the heat sink on the heat sink mounting points on the motherboard (see Figure 4).

NOTE

Orient the heat sink so that the heat sink cable can easily reach the CPU fan header on

the motherboard.

10. Ensure that the arrows on the four heat sink mounting bolts point away from the heat

sink (see Figure 5).

Figure 5

11. Push down on the mounting bolts one at a time in a cross pattern. Check the underside

of the motherboard to ensure that the mounting bolts are secured to the motherboard

completely (see Figure 6).

Figure 6

12. Connect the heat sink cable to the CPU fan header (see Figure 4).

13. Remove and keep the 16 screws that secure the left and right side panels of the

computer case. Set aside the side panels.

14. Remove and keep the two thumbscrews that secure the hard drive tray to the bottom of

the computer case (see Figure 7). Set aside the hard drive tray.

Figure 7

15. Remove and keep the four thumbscrews that secure the PSU retention bracket to the

rear of the computer case (see Figure 8). Set aside the PSU retention bracket.

Figure 8

16. Connect the ATX 20+4-pin motherboard power connector to the power supply slot on

the motherboard (see Figure 9).

NOTE

Observe the keying of the connectors to determine which cable ending should insert into

the slot.

Figure 9

17. Connect the ATX 4+4-pin CPU power connector to the appropriate slot on the

motherboard (see Figure 10).

NOTE

Observe the keying of the connectors to determine which cable ending should insert into

the slot.

Figure 10

18. Find the four risers on the right side panel of the computer case. Note the location of the

risers and the air vents on the panel in relation to the computer case, as shown in Figure

11.

Figure 11

19. Place the motherboard on top of the risers, with the I/O ports facing the edge of the side

panel closest to the rear of the case (see Figure 12).

Figure 12

20. Use four screws to secure the motherboard to the right side panel.

21. Insert the I/O shield through the interior of the computer case, and position it in the I/O

shield slot. Note the orientation of the I/O shield shown in Figure 13.

Figure 13

22. Press the I/O shield against the slot until it snaps into place.

23. Connect the cable from the chassis fan to the chassis fan header on the motherboard

(see Figure 14).

Figure 14

24. Connect the system panel connectors to the system panel header (see Figure 15). Refer

to the motherboard manufacturer’s manual for correct installation of connectors.

Figure 15

25. Connect the USB cable to the USB header (see Figure 16).

Figure 16

26. Connect the audio cable to the front panel audio header (see Figure 17).

Figure 17

27. Place the right side panel assembly on the computer case, ensuring that the I/O ports fit

snugly into the holes on the I/O shield.

NOTE

Ensure that the motherboard cables are routed properly through the computer case, so

that the cables do not snag on the computer case parts.

28. Use eight screws to secure the right side panel assembly to the computer case.

29. Use four screws to secure the hard drive to the hard drive tray.

30. Slide the hard drive tray assembly into its original location in the computer case, and use

two thumbscrews to secure it in place.

31. Connect the SATA data cable and SATA power cable to the hard drive (see Figure 18).

Figure 18

32. Connect the SATA data cable to the motherboard (see Figure 19).

Figure 19

33. Use four screws to secure the power supply to the PSU retention bracket.

NOTE

Observe the location of the screw holes to determine which way the PSU retention

bracket should mount onto the power supply.

34. Route the following cable connectors through the power supply slot of the computer

case (see Figure 13):

a. EPS 24-pin motherboard power connector

b. EPS 8-pin CPU power connector

c. SATA power connector

35. Connect the cables from Step 34 to the power supply, as shown in Figure 20.

Figure 20

36. Carefully insert the power supply through the power supply slot.

37. Use four thumbscrews to secure the power supply to the computer case (see Figure 21).

Figure 21

38. Arrange the cables inside the computer case, so that they do not get caught in the heat

sink and chassis fans.

39. Use eight screws to secure the left side panel to the computer case.

The desktop computer is now ready for use.

Glossary

ACRONYM DEFINITION

ATX Advanced Technology eXtended

CPU Central Processing Unit

EPS Entry-Level Power Supply Specification

I/O Input/Output

PSU Power Supply Unit

RAM Random Access Memory

SATA Serial Advanced Technology Attachment

USB Universal Serial Bus