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Assembly
IT Essentials v7.0
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Chapter 2 - Sections & Objectives
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2.1 ASSEMBLE THE COMPUTER
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Personal, Equipment, and Fire Safety
• Model Type – The motherboard determines the type of case you can use. The
size and shape must match.
• Size – A computer with many components will need more room for airflow to
keep the system cool.
• Power Supply – Match the power supply rating and connection type to the
motherboard.
• Appearance – There are many case designs to choose from.
• Status Display – LEDs mounted on outside of case tell you if the system has
power, when the hard drive is in use, and when the computer is in sleep or
hibernate mode.
• Vents/Fans – All cases have a vent for the power supply, and some have extra
vents in the system case to facilitate positive air flow.
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Select a Power Supply
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Select a Replacement Motherboard
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Select the CPU and CPU Cooling
DRAM
• Dynamic Random Access Memory
• Uses capacitors that need constant power to keep them from fading
• This process of charging is called Refresh
• Most DRAM needs to be refreshed every 2 ms
• Small and affordable, but slower than SRAM
SRAM
• Static Random Access Memory
• Uses transistors
• Large and expensive, but fast
• Commonly used as cache
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Types of RAM
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Select the RAM
The RAM must be compatible with the motherboard.
The speed of the RAM must be supported by the chipset.
New RAM may be needed when an application locks up or the computer displays
frequent error messages. To determine if the problem is the RAM, execute the
RAM test in the BIOS.
Memory may also be categorized as unbuffered or buffered:
• Unbuffered memory – This is regular memory for computers. The computer
reads data directly from the memory banks making it faster than buffered
memory.
• Buffered memory – Specialized memory for servers
and high-end workstations that use a large amount of
RAM. These have a control chip built into the module
that assists the memory controller in managing large quantities of RAM.
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Attach Components to the Motherboard
CPU
• Easier to installed the CPU on the motherboard before the
motherboard is installed in the computer case.
• The CPU and motherboard are sensitive to electrostatic
discharge. Take antistatic precautions.
• Use the markings on the CPU and motherboard to properly
align and install the CPU.
• The CPU is secured to the socket on the motherboard with
a locking assembly.
• CAUTION: When handling a CPU, do not touch the CPU
contacts.
• Be sure the heat sink and fan assemble are correctly
installed.
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Attach Components to the Motherboard
Thermal compound
• Helps keep the CPU cool and dissipate CPU heat.
• To install or reseat a used CPU, clean it and the base of the
heat sink with isopropyl alcohol to remove the old thermal
compound before applying new.
Heat Sink/Fan Assembly
• The Heat Sink/Fan Assembly is a two-part
cooling device.
– The heat sink draws heat away from the CPU.
– The fan draws heat away from the heat sink.
• Be sure the heat sink and fan assemble are correctly
installed.
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Attach Components to the Motherboard
RAM
• Easier to installed RAM on the motherboard
before the motherboard is installed in the
computer case.
• RAM is highly sensitive to ESD.
• RAM is designed to install in one specific direction. The notch in the memory
module should be aligned with a notch in the memory slot.
• Make sure to check the markings before applying pressure.
• Use the documentation provided with the motherboard and RAM for more
information on RAM installation.
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Install the Motherboard
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Select Hard Drives
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Install the Hard Drive
Step 1. From the front of the case, choose the drive bay
that you want to hold the drive. Remove the faceplate
from that bay if necessary.
Step 2: Position the optical drive so that it aligns with the
5.25 inch (13.34 cm.) drive bay opening at the front of
the case, as shown in the figure.
Step 3. Insert the optical drive into the drive bay so that
the optical drive screw holes align with the screw holes
in the case.
Step 4. Secure the optical drive to the case using the
proper screws.
Installation Tip: Slightly hand-tighten all the screws
before tightening any of them with a screw driver. This
will make it easier to tighten the last two screws.
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Motherboard Expansion Slots
Adapter cards are designed for a specific task and add extra functionality to a computer.
There are a variety of adapter cards:
• Graphics/Video
• Sound
• Storage Controller
• I/O
• NIC
• Capture
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Select a Media Reader
Several media card formats have been developed over the years including:
• Secure digital (SD
• MicroSD
• MiniSD
• CompactFlash
• Memory Stick
Choose a media reader based on current and
future needs:
• Media cards supported
• Internal or external
• Media size
• Connector type
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Select External Storage
External USB flash drives, sometimes called thumb drives, are commonly used as
removable external storage. External storage devices connect to an external port
using USB, eSATA, or Thunderbolt ports.
Choose the correct type of external storage for your customer’s needs. For
example, if your customer needs to
transfer a small amount of data, such as
a single presentation, an external flash
drive is a good choice. If your customer
needs to back up or transfer large
amounts of data, choose an external
hard drive.
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Install the Front Panel Cables
System panel connectors are not keyed. However, each front panel cable usually
has a small arrow indicating pin 1, and each pair of LED pins on the motherboard
system panel connector has pin 1 marked with a plus sign (+).
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Install the Front Panel Cables
Power Button – Align pin 1 of the two-pin front panel power button cable with the power
button pins on the motherboard.
Reset Button – Align pin 1 of the two-pin front panel reset button cable with the reset button
pins on the motherboard.
Power LED – Align pin 1 of the front panel power LED cable with the
power LED pins on the motherboard.
Drive Activity LED – Align pin 1 of the front panel drive activity cable with the drive activity
pins on the motherboard.
System Speaker – Align pin 1 of the front panel system speaker cable with
the system speaker pins on the motherboard.
Audio Cables – Due to the specialized function and variety of the hardware, consult the
motherboard, case, and audio panel documentation for specific instructions.
USB – Align pin 1 of the USB cable with the USB pins on the motherboard.
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Connect Internal Cables
Power cables are used to distribute electricity from the power supply to the
motherboard and other components.
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Install the Cables
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Install the Cables
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Connect Internal Cables
Data cables transmit data between the motherboard and storage devices, such
as hard drives. Some of examples of this type of cables are:
• PATA cable (40-pin IDE or EIDE)
• SATA cable (7-pin)
• Floppy drive data cable (34-pin)
Connect the Internal Data Cables
• The internal and optical drives typically connect to the motherboard through
SATA cables.
• SATA are keyed to fit in only one direction. They also have locking tabs.
• Locate the SATA socket on the motherboard, align the connector and press it
gently to connect.
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2.2 CHAPTER SUMMARY
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Chapter 2: PC Assembly
Build a computer.
• Define general and fire safety standards.
• Connect the power supply.
• Install the motherboard components.
• Install internal drives.
• Install the adapter cards.
• Identify additional storage.
• Connect computer components with appropriate cables.
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