Lecture 03

Computer Assembly

CT4005NI - Computer Hardware and Software

Architectures
3. Introduction
• Assembling computers is a large part of a
technician's job.
• This Chapter will teach you how to work in a
logical, methodical manner when working with
computer components.

Objectives

• Open the case.

• Install the power supply.
• Attach the components to the motherboard and install the motherboard.
• Install internal drives, drives in external bays, adapter cards.
• Connect all internal cables.
• Re-attach the side panels and connect external cables to the computer.
3.1 Open the Case
• Prepare the workspace before opening the
computer case.
• There should be adequate lighting, good ventilation,
and a comfortable room temperature.
• An antistatic mat on the table will help prevent
physical and ESD damage to equipment.

• There are different ways to open a computer case.

Most computer cases are opened in following ways.

1. The computer case cover can be removed as one piece.

2. The top and/or side panels of the case can be removed.

3. The top of the case may need to be removed before the side panels can be removed.
3.2 Install the power supply
• Most power supplies can only fit one way in
the computer case.
• There are usually three or four screws that attach
the power supply to the case.
• These screws should be properly tightened when
installing or else the fan inside it will start vibrating.

• Following are the power supply installation steps:

1. Insert the power supply into the case.

2. Align the holes in the power supply with the holes in the case.

3. Secure the power supply to the case using the proper screws.
3.3 Attach the components to the motherboard and
install the motherboard
3.3.1 Install a CPU and a heat sink/fan assembly
• The CPU and the heat sink/fan assembly may be installed on the motherboard
before the motherboard is placed in the computer case.
• Before installing CPU and heat sink/fan know following information about them.

CPU
• The CPU and Motherboard are sensitive to ESD hence Antistatic tools should be used.
• While handling a CPU, do not touch the CPU pins at any time.

• The CPU sockets today are ZIF sockets.

• The CPU is secured to the socket on the motherboard with a locking assembly.

• Thermal compound applied over the CPU helps to conduct heat away from it.
• If you are installing a used CPU, clean the CPU surface and the base of heat sink with
Isopropyl alcohol.
3.3 Attach the components to the motherboard and
install the motherboard contd.
Heat Sink/Fan
• It is two-part cooling device.

• The heat sink draws heat away from the CPU.

• The fan moves the heat away from the heat sink.

• The heat sink/fan assembly usually has a 3-pin power connector.

• Following are the instructions for CPU and heat sink/fan assembly installation.

1. The CPU is secured to the socket on the

motherboard with a locking assembly.

2. Place the CPU gently into the socket.

3.3 Attach the components to the motherboard and
install the motherboard contd.
3. Close the CPU load plate and secure it in place by closing the load lever and moving
it under the load lever retention tab.

4. Apply a small amount of thermal compound to the

CPU and spread it evenly.

5. Align the heat sink/fan assembly retainers with the

holes on the motherboard.

6. Place the heat sink/fan assembly onto the CPU socket,

being careful not to pinch the CPU fan wires.

7. Tighten the heat sink/fan assembly retainers to secure

the assembly in place.
3.3 Attach the components to the motherboard and
install the motherboard contd.
8. Connect the heat sink/fan assembly power cable to the header on the
motherboard.
3.3 Attach the components to the motherboard and
install the motherboard contd.
3.3.2 Install the RAM
• Before you install a memory module, consult the
motherboard documentation or website of the
manufacturer to ensure that the RAM is compatible
with the motherboard.

• RAM provides temporary data storage for the CPU while the computer is operating.

• Following are the steps for RAM installation

1. Align the notches on the RAM module to the keys in the slot and press down until the
side tabs click into place.

2. Make sure that the side tabs have locked the RAM module. Visually check for exposed
contacts.
3.3 Attach the components to the motherboard and
install the motherboard contd.
3.3.3 Install the motherboard
• Plastic and metal standoffs are used to mount the
motherboard and to prevent it from touching the
metal portions of the case.

• You should install only the standoffs that align with

the holes in the motherboard.

• Following are the steps for motherboard installation

1. Install standoffs in the computer case.

2. Align the I/O connectors on the back of the motherboard with the openings in the back
of the case.
3.3 Attach the components to the motherboard and
install the motherboard contd.
3.3.3 Install the motherboard

3. Align the screw holes of the motherboard with the

standoffs.
4. Insert all of the motherboard screws.

5. Tighten all of the motherboard screws.

3.4 Install internal drives
• Drives that are installed in internal bays are called
internal drives. Example: HDD

• Following are the steps for HDD installation.

1. Position the HDD so that it aligns with the 3.5-inch drive bay.
2. Insert the HDD into the drive bay so that the screw holes in the drive line up with the
screw holes in the case.
3. Secure the HDD to the case using the proper screws.
3.5 Install drives in external bays
• Drives, such as optical drives and floppy drives, are installed in drive bays that are accessed
from the front of the case.
• Drives in external bays allow access to the media without opening the case.

• Following are the steps for Optical Drive installation.

1. Position the optical drive so that it aligns with the

5.25-inch drive bay.

2. Insert the optical drive into the drive bay so that the
optical drive screw holes align with the screw holes in
the case.

3. Secure the optical drive to the case using the

proper screws.
3.5 Install drives in external bays contd.
• Following are the steps for Floppy Drive installation.

1. Position the FDD so that it aligns with the 3.5-inch

drive bay.

2. Insert the FDD into the drive bay so that the FDD
screw holes align with the screw holes in the case.

3. Secure the FDD to the case using the proper screws.

3.6 Install Adapter Cards
• Adapter cards are installed to add functionality to a computer and must be compatible
with expansion slot.

NIC – Network Interface Card

• A NIC enables a computer to connect to a network.

• NICs use PCI and PCIe expansion slots.

Wireless NIC
• A wireless NIC enables a computer to connect to a
wireless network.
• Wireless NICs use PCI and PCIe expansion slots.

• Some wireless NICs are installed externally with a

USB connector.
3.6 Install Adapter Cards contd.
Video Adapter Card
• It is the interface between a computer and a display monitor to provide better graphic
capabilities for games and graphic programs.

• Video adapter cards use AGP, and PCIe expansion

slots.

• Following are the steps for installation of these

cards.
1. Align the Card to the appropriate expansion slot on
the motherboard.

2. Press down gently on the Card until the card is fully

seated.

3. Secure the Card's PC mounting bracket to the case

with the appropriate screw.
3.7 Connect all Internal Cables
3.7.1 Connect the Power Cables

Motherboard Power Connections

• The Advanced Technology Extended (ATX) main power

connector will have either 20 or 24 pins.

• The power supply may also have a 4-pin or 6-pin Auxiliary

(AUX) power connector that connects to the motherboard.

• A 20-pin connector will work in a motherboard with a 24-pin

socket.
3.7 Connect all Internal Cables
3.7.1 Connect the Power Cables

SATA Power Connectors

• SATA power connectors use a 15-pin connector.

• Connects HDD, Optical Drives or any device with SATA power

socket.

Molex Power Connectors

• HDD and Optical Drives without SATA power sockets uses Molex
connectors.

Berg Power Connectors

• The 4-pin Berg power connector supplies power to a floppy

drive.
3.7 Connect all Internal Cables
3.7.2 Connect the Data Cables

PATA Data Cables

• The PATA cable is sometimes called a ribbon cable because it is

wide and flat.

• A PATA cable usually has three 40-pin connectors.

• One connector at the end of the cable connects to the

motherboard. The other two connectors connect to drives.

• Many motherboards have two PATA drive controllers, providing

support for a maximum of four PATA drives.
3.7 Connect all Internal Cables
3.7.2 Connect the Data Cables

SATA Data Cables

• The SATA data cable has a 7-pin connector.

• One end of the cable is connected to the

motherboard.
• The other end is connected to any drive that has
a SATA data connector.

Floppy Data Cables

• The floppy drive data cable has a 34-pin connector.

• One connector at the end of the cable connects to

the motherboard.
• The other two connectors connect to drives.
3.8 Re-attach side panels and connect external cables to
the computer.
• Replace the side panels gently and make sure that it is secured at all screw locations.

• Some cases use screws that are inserted with screwdriver some uses knob-type screws
that can be tightened by hand.
• Finally, connect all external cables to the back of the computer for devices like monitor,
keyboard, mouse, USB, Ethernet, Power.
NOTE:
• Deadline: Log Report 1 (Contents of Week 1, Week 2, Week
3).
• Week 4: i.e. Friday (25th November, 2016) - 3:00 PM
• Reports submitted late (after 3pm) will not be accepted.
• No extensions!!
• Submit the PRINTED document to your Lecturer and Email
your document at “akchayat.joshi@islingtoncollege.edu.np”.