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chapter 3 Computer Assembly
- Open the Case and Install the Power Supply
- Computer cases are produced in a variety of form factors. Form factors refer to the size and shape of the case.
Prepare the workspace before opening the computer case. You want adequate lighting, good ventilation, and a
comfortable room temperature. The workbench or table should be accessible from all sides. Avoid cluttering the
surface of the work area with tools and computer components. Place an antistatic mat on the table to help prevent
physical and ESD damage to equipment. It is helpful to use small containers to hold screws and other parts as you
remove them.
- There are different methods for opening cases. To learn how to open a particular computer case, consult the
user manual or manufacturer’s website. Most computer cases are opened in one of the following ways: The
computer case cover is removed as one piece. The top and side panels of the case are removed. The top of
the case is removed before the side panels can be removed. A latch is pulled to release the side panel, which
can swing open.
- A technician might be required to replace or install a power supply. Most power supplies can only fit one way
in the computer case. Three or four screws usually attach the power supply to the case. Power supplies have
fans that can vibrate and loosen screws that are not properly tightened. When installing a power supply, make
sure that all the screws are used and tightened correctly.
- To install a power supply, follow these steps: Step 1. Insert the power supply into the case. Step 2.
Align the holes in the power supply with the holes in the case. Step 3. Secure the power supply to the
case using the proper screws.
- To install a power supply, follow these steps: Step 1. Insert the power supply into the case. Step 2.
Align the holes in the power supply with the holes in the case. Step 3. Secure the power supply to the
case using the proper screws.
- A technician might be required to replace or install a power supply. Most power supplies can only fit one way
in the computer case. Three or four screws usually attach the power supply to the case. Power supplies have
fans that can vibrate and loosen screws that are not properly tightened. When installing a power supply, make
sure that all the screws are used and tightened correctly.
- There are different methods for opening cases. To learn how to open a particular computer case, consult the
user manual or manufacturer’s website. Most computer cases are opened in one of the following ways: The
computer case cover is removed as one piece. The top and side panels of the case are removed. The top of
the case is removed before the side panels can be removed. A latch is pulled to release the side panel, which
can swing open.
- Computer cases are produced in a variety of form factors. Form factors refer to the size and shape of the case.
Prepare the workspace before opening the computer case. You want adequate lighting, good ventilation, and a
comfortable room temperature. The workbench or table should be accessible from all sides. Avoid cluttering the
surface of the work area with tools and computer components. Place an antistatic mat on the table to help prevent
physical and ESD damage to equipment. It is helpful to use small containers to hold screws and other parts as you
remove them.
- Install the Drives
- Drives that are installed in internal bays are called internal drives. A hard disk drive (HDD) is an example of an
internal drive. To install the HDD, follow these steps: Step 1. Position the HDD so that it aligns with the 3.5
inch (8.9 cm.) drive bay opening. Step 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. Step 3. Secure the HDD to the case using the proper screws.
- Drives that are installed in internal bays are called internal drives. A hard disk drive (HDD) is an example of an
internal drive. To install the HDD, follow these steps: Step 1. Position the HDD so that it aligns with the 3.5
inch (8.9 cm.) drive bay opening. Step 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. Step 3. Secure the HDD to the case using the proper screws.
- Install the Motherboard
- CPU Figure 1 shows a close-up of the CPU and the motherboard. The CPU and motherboard are sensitive to
electrostatic discharge. When handling a CPU and motherboard, make sure that you place them on a
grounded antistatic mat. Wear an antistatic wrist strap while working with these components.
- he CPU is secured to the socket on the motherboard with a locking assembly. Before installing a CPU into the
socket on the motherboard, make sure that you are familiar with the locking assembly. Thermal compound helps to
conduct heat away from the CPU. When you are installing a used CPU, clean the top of the CPU and the base of
the heat sink with isopropyl alcohol and a lint free cloth. A paper coffee filter works well as a lint free cloth. This
removes the old thermal compound. The surfaces are now ready for a new layer of thermal compound. Follow the
manufacturer recommendations about applying the thermal compound. Figure 2 shows thermal compound being
applied to the CPU. In most cases, apply a very small amount of thermal compound to the CPU. The compound
spreads out evenly under the weight and pressure of the heat sink and fan assembly.
- RAM may be installed in the motherboard before the motherboard is secured in the computer case.
Before installation, consult the motherboard documentation or website of the motherboard manufacturer
to ensure that the RAM is compatible with the motherboard. RAM provides fast, temporary data storage
for the CPU while the computer is operating. RAM is volatile memory, which means that its contents are
lost when the computer is powered off. Typically, more RAM enhances computer performance.
- The motherboard is now ready to be installed in the computer case, as shown in Figure 1. Plastic and metal
standoffs are used to mount the motherboard and to prevent it from touching the metal portions of the case.
Install only the standoffs that align with the holes in the motherboard. Installing additional standoffs might
prevent the motherboard from being seated properly in the computer case. Because the I/O connections on
each motherboard vary, an I/O connector plate, shown in Figure 2, is supplied with the motherboard. The I/O
plate has cutouts on the back of the motherboard specifically for the connectors. The I/O connector plate is
installed on the inside of the back of the computer case to allow the connectors to be used when the
motherboard is installed in the case.
- The motherboard is now ready to be installed in the computer case, as shown in Figure 1. Plastic and metal
standoffs are used to mount the motherboard and to prevent it from touching the metal portions of the case.
Install only the standoffs that align with the holes in the motherboard. Installing additional standoffs might
prevent the motherboard from being seated properly in the computer case. Because the I/O connections on
each motherboard vary, an I/O connector plate, shown in Figure 2, is supplied with the motherboard. The I/O
plate has cutouts on the back of the motherboard specifically for the connectors. The I/O connector plate is
installed on the inside of the back of the computer case to allow the connectors to be used when the
motherboard is installed in the case.
- RAM may be installed in the motherboard before the motherboard is secured in the computer case.
Before installation, consult the motherboard documentation or website of the motherboard manufacturer
to ensure that the RAM is compatible with the motherboard. RAM provides fast, temporary data storage
for the CPU while the computer is operating. RAM is volatile memory, which means that its contents are
lost when the computer is powered off. Typically, more RAM enhances computer performance.
- he CPU is secured to the socket on the motherboard with a locking assembly. Before installing a CPU into the
socket on the motherboard, make sure that you are familiar with the locking assembly. Thermal compound helps to
conduct heat away from the CPU. When you are installing a used CPU, clean the top of the CPU and the base of
the heat sink with isopropyl alcohol and a lint free cloth. A paper coffee filter works well as a lint free cloth. This
removes the old thermal compound. The surfaces are now ready for a new layer of thermal compound. Follow the
manufacturer recommendations about applying the thermal compound. Figure 2 shows thermal compound being
applied to the CPU. In most cases, apply a very small amount of thermal compound to the CPU. The compound
spreads out evenly under the weight and pressure of the heat sink and fan assembly.
- CPU Figure 1 shows a close-up of the CPU and the motherboard. The CPU and motherboard are sensitive to
electrostatic discharge. When handling a CPU and motherboard, make sure that you place them on a
grounded antistatic mat. Wear an antistatic wrist strap while working with these components.
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