Testing Post - New Guide

I'm working on a guide offline and I want to see how the post look before posting final project in the Homebuilt section...

Step-by-Step Guide to Building a PC

This thread is to provide a step-by-step guide to how to build a PC. These are the general steps required in building a PC, which can be performed what sequence you feel best fits your needs.

• Step One: Choosing your components:
• Step Two: Prepare your case:
• Step Three: Install components on motherboard (outside of case):
• Step Four: Install Motherboard into case:
• Step Five: Connect System Wires:
• Step Six: Install Video Card(s):
• Step Seven: Connect Power Supply:
• Step Eight: Boot System for First Time:
• Step Nine: Install Operating System / Drivers:
• Step Ten: Test System and Have FUN!!

Step One: Choosing your components:
Here are the components I have selected for this build: (First build since I decided to create this guide)

• CPU: AMD Athlon II X4 620 Propus 2.6GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Processor - Retail
• MOBO: GIGABYTE GA-MA785GMT-UD2H AM3 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
• RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL7D-4GBRH - Retail
• HSF: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7 compatible RR-B10-212P-GP 120mm "heatpipe direct contact" Long ... - Retail
• HDD: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
• PSU: Antec earthwatts EA430 430W Continuous Power ATX12V v2.0 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
• GPU: XFX HD-465X-YAF2 Radeon HD 4650 512MB 128-bit DDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
• DVD: Sony Optiarc 24X DVD/CD Rewritable Drive Black SATA Model AD-7240S-0B - OEM
• Case: Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
• Thermal Compound: Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM

Other links to help with deciding on what components to get.

• Recommended Builds by Usage – This thread provides a very good guide of types of builds by usage at different price points.
• *How To Ask For New Build Advice* - This is the best thread to review how to ask for advice and is a required format to get the best answers.
• *Guide to Choosing Parts* - This thread provides a very good guide in choosing parts and provides many important links and ideas.
• Homebuilt PC Buying Guide - This thread provides a good guide in choosing parts for a new build.

Step Two: Prepare your case:
In this step you want to get your case ready for the install. Others may have different opinions on what should or shouldn’t be done at this stage but these are the steps I undertake when building a PC.

• Remove both side panels off of the case.
• Determine how to route your case wires to provide good cable management.

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Ready you case for your motherboard

• Remove your motherboard from the box and protective covering.
• Place the motherboard in the case to line up where the standoffs need to be placed.
• Place the standoffs on the case in the locations matching up with your motherboard

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Install Power Supply
I choose to install the PSU during this phase of the process, so I can start planning in my mind how my cable management is going to flow for the build.

• Remove the PSU from the box.
• Place the PSU inside of the case and line up the with “PSU hole” on the case. Some cases have the PSU mounted at the top of the case, while others have it mounted at the bottom. For this build, the PSU is mounted at the bottom in the Antec 300
• Connect the proper screws through the case to securely mount the PSU to the case.
• Prepare the power supply cables for possible cable management. 1) For cases with room behind the MOBO tray, I recommend routing all of the wires through the opening in the top/bottom, so when you place the components inside the case, you can route them back inside the case for good cable management. 2) For cases with no room behind the MOBO tray, there isn’t much you can to prior with the cables to so just have them all setting outside of the case, as the case is laying on it’s side.

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Install Hard Drive

• Remove the HDD from the box/protective coving.
• Remove HDD cage from case, if applicable.
• Place drive into the internal 3.5” slot, in the appropriate location on your case. For my build, I’m installing in the lower HDD cage in the Antec 300.
• Use the appropriate screws to screw the drive into the internal 3.5” slot. This isn’t required if you are using a tool less case or a “hot swaps” internal enclosure.
• Install the HDD cage back into the case, if applicable.

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Install CD/DVD Drive

• Remove the drive from the box/protective coving.
• Remove the front of the case to gain access to the external 3.5” panels, if applicable
• Remove the appropriate bezel from the case in the location you want to install the drive.
• Place drive into the external 3.5” slot, in the appropriate location on your case. For my build, I’m installing in the third slot down from the top in the Antec 300.
• Use the appropriate screws to screw the drive into the external 3.5” slot. This isn’t required if you are using a tool less case.
• Install the front of the case back on, if applicable.

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Is a Youtube link to an accompanying film in the works? I have a few suggestions in mind if the model build isn't working out.

Mention motor oil and toothpaste to be used as thermal compound. This idea has been discussed at length on the forum in the past and should be included in any worthy discussion/guide. Proceed with caution.

NOOOO!!! I just used my Crest with Whitening plus Scope as my thermal compound on this build..

lol badge.

The guide looks good - though I should mention some people prefer to breadboard their machines, testing and installing the OS while it's uncased first. That way, if a part ends up malfunctioning, they don't have to disassemble anything.

As for you, badge, I'm pretty sure you can do anything you want on the forums...I mean to say, you pretty much always do. But it's funny as hell, and you're not stupid, so no one minds. Exhibit A is your last post.

The Pope knows his tech.

I'm a teen and I know more about PCs than the average 30+ year old office worker. And yes, I do agree with you on the fact that most teens are id10ts who don't know WTF they are doing.