Personal Computer (PC) is defined by the American heritage dictionary as a small computer which is designed and intended for use by an individual at home or at work for light-computing tasks(“”Personal computer”). The PC gained widespread adoption from the early 1980s with the introduction of versions of Apple computers notably the Apple II and later IBM PC by IBM which enabled many people to own computers in their homes. Technological advancement and competition in the computer hardware industry has resulted in low-cost microprocessors and compacted computer parts. Today there are a host of computer parts manufacturers that produce compatible components that work together when correctly assembled. In this process essay it is shown that is it easy for anyone with little computer knowledge to assemble and own a computer of his/her own specifications.
The first step in assembling a PC will involve gathering the components. Some of the basic ones are: motherboard, Computer case, power supply unit, processor and its cooler, memory, hard disk drive, optical drives (DVD/CD/Blue ray drive), video graphics card, keyboard, mouse, monitor and operating system. In addition, tools such as a set non-magnetic screw drivers, thermal paste ,manuals and a pair of pliers are also required. The choice of many of these components is up to the owner and their prices vary depending on the manufacturer. However, emphasis should be on their compatibility ,purpose and availability (“How to assemble a computer”). The motherboard forms one of the core components as everything is plugged onto it and its choice will depend on whether one is building an AMD or an Intel system. It also determines the type of memory used, maximum speed and future upgradability (Hutcheson 3). The processor will determine the speed of the system but the choice between the two major types-Intel and AMD- remains a matter of taste. The case should be suitable as far as air circulation for CPU cooling is concerned. For those that come with a power supply unit, it is important to ensure that it is compatible with the motherboard. Hard Disk Drive is for storage but is important to go for the most modern ones with high speed (RPM). Video card is required in case the motherboard lacks an integrated one or higher resolution is required. Keyboard, mouse and monitor are required for configuring the system after the assembly. The thermal paste serves to help in dissipating heat generated by the CPU and should be changed after a period of 6 months (Gupta n.pag). Manual are critical for this process especially for beginners for reference purposes.
After gathering all the components, the assembler should be aware of a few safety precautions before the actual assembly begins. As static electricity can damage any electronic device, it is important for one to discharge static electricity from the body prior to handling any device. This can be by wearing an anti-static wrist band or simply by touching the casing with both hands(Hutcheson 4). In addition, excessive force should not be applied during installing of the components to avoid any damages (Hutcheson 4). It is also important to work on a spacious table top in a well-lit room. Before commencing the assembly process, the components should be unpacked from their wrappings and laid neatly on the working area.
With all the parts ready and the necessary safety precautions in mind, the final activity is the actual assembly. The first step involves opening the case and studying its layout particularly where the motherboard is laid. The casing cover is can be removed by a sliding mechanism or unscrewing the screw on its back panel. With the case open, the motherboard is then mounted on its inner side while ensuring that its integrated ports are well within the rectangular cut-out of the back panel. This may involve securing it on the stand-offs on its perimeter or using screws. The processor is then carefully inserted on the motherboard processor socket. It is important to consult the motherboard manual for the correct alignment and locking mechanism. With the processor well secured, the thermal paste is applied to cover the whole of its top. This is followed by placing the heat sink on top the processor and locking it into place. The locking may involve a lever like pin but it is important to consult the manual. If the heat sink lacks an attached fan, the fan can be fixed with the help of its manual. After inserting the processor and its coolers, the power supply unit (PSU) can be inserted (in case the case does not come bundled with one) in its position such that the power ports are visible from the back panel and held using screws. The PSU is then connected to its corresponding 24 or 20-pin connector on the motherboard. The square-like power cable for the processor from the PSU should also be connected on the appropriate port on the motherboard. After installing the PSU, the memory modules can then be inserted on their slot on the motherboard by unlocking the end clips and gently pushing them down until the clips snap up. Afterwards, the hard disk drive is inserted into its bay area and held using screw. It is then connected to the power supply and its motherboard data cable. The type of connection to the motherboard will depend on whether it is IDE or SATA-based in addition to the number installed. The optical drives such as DVD/CD/Blue Ray drives are fixed by first removing the front panel plates and secured with screws inside their bay area. They should also be connected to the power supply and onto the corresponding data cable from the motherboard. I case of more than one non-SATA optical drives, the jumper setting should be set as required with the help of a manual. The last step will involve connecting the wires of the power switch, the reset switch, the hard drive LED, internal speakers and other inputs such as front panel USB and audio panel to their appropriate motherboard ports. It is very important to consult the motherboard manual on this as some of these have look-alike connectors and it may be easy to make a wrong connection. However, this should not pose a serious problem as most motherboards bear appropriate abbreviations near the correct ports. The graphic card if required or due to lack of an integrated one on the motherboard can be installed by fixing it firmly on a PCI slot after removing the cover plates at the back panel. With everything in place, it is important to recheck every connection before closing the case cover and powering the computer after connecting the system unit to the monitor , keyboard ,mouse and to a power outlet. A successful assembly will result in the system booting up although not to completion because of lack of the operating system. After installing an operation system, a window system will require that installation of device drivers using the motherboard driver CD. On the other hand, a system that does not boot up or results in smoke or a burning smell will require a recheck of the connections and /or verification of the individual components.
Assembling a computer is a pretty simple affair nowadays. It is possible to build a computer system that lives up to ones preference and taste. The process involves sourcing the required components and connecting them together on a motherboard contained in a case. With just the accompanying manuals any person with little computer knowledge can build a customized system that best serves his/her interests.
Works Cited
Gupta, Ankur. “How to assemble and build a PC”. DigitGeek.com. DigitGeek, 2008. Web.
“How to assemble a computer”. Liutilities.com. Uniblue, 2007.Web.
Hutcheson, Mike. “How to build a computer”.Squidoo.com. Squidoo, LLC.n.d. Web. 2011.
”Personal Computer”.thefreedictionary.com. Farlex, inc, 2011.Web.