Building a Computer (needed items - screwjacks, washers, cables, fans, thermal paste)

(Internal Components - Motherboard, fans, screwjacks, washers, cables and accessories)

These are basic instructions for installing a motherboard, CPU, Heatsink, screwjacks, washers, fans, cables and accessories.  In these directions, the Iwill KA266-R Motherboard is used as an example but the basic instructions will be the same for any motherboard.

Building a 1.2 GHz DDR Athlon with the Iwill KA266-R Motherboard

Athlon Building Steps

While there are no set steps for building a computer, the following steps should be a good guide.

Mission: Get all these parts into the case.

1. Prepare the case for the motherboard. Remove the motherboard from its antistatic plastic bag and orient the board above the case to the position it will occupy inside the case (remember the external connectors must be aligned to the outside of the case and that the PCI and AGP slots must align to the external punch-out card slots).
 

Warning: Make sure you are suitably grounded whenever you are working with the motherboard or other circuit boards. This is accomplished by touching the metal case of the computer before handling any circuit boards. Make sure there is no power to the case when you do this (unplug it) or you could shock yourself. If you have a lot of static electricity in your environment, consider a grounding wrist strap

Once you understand the orientation of your board it should be easy for you to insert stand-off screws, washers and snap-in supports into the proper places on the bottom of the computer case.

A picture of the empty computer case with stand off screws, washers, and snap-in supports in all the key places to support the motherboard and to prevent it from making contact with the computer case.
Below is a close up of a stand-off screw and washer attached to the bottom of the computer case.

2. Install the motherboard in the case. Carefully insert the motherboard into the case, align the external ports with cut out plates, and attach the motherboard with screws and washers to all the standoffs.
Screws should be snug but avoid excessive over tightening (You don't want to crack your board do you?)

 
The KA266-R motherboard attached to the case with screws and washers.

Thermal Paste is a must for your CPU and heatsink

 

3. Install CPU and heatsink/fan. Now that the motherboard is attached to the case you can install the CPU and its heatsink/fan. If you decide to install your own CPU heatsink/fan, make sure you know how to do it, as a poor job will provide inadequate cooling. A visit to your favorite overclocking site will have endless discussions on case fans, thermal paste, etc. Pull the zif (zero insertion force) latch up on the side of the motherboard's Slot A CPU connector, orient the processor correctly to the Slot A connector, insert the CPU and gently push it down to seat it. Push the zif latch down towards the motherboard to complete installation of the CPU. The last step is to connect the fan power connector to a fan header on the motherboard.