For the first timers, hopefully this will be a good guide, and not too technical. Just remember building PCs are just like putting together VERY VERY expensive LEGO! How to build a PC: On the Motherboard (Mobo) box, place your Mobo, insert RAM, GPU and the CPU with the stock cooler, plug you PSU into all the sockets, (24pin, 4/8pin, PCIE) and start up the mobo (connect up the fron panel of the case (just the power switch needed) and power on. If it POSTS then just turn off the PSU and dismantle the entire rig you built. Screw the PSU in the case, and plug it into the mains to ground the case. Place Mobo in case, but do not screw and make a rough placement of where cables will go, so if there are any cables you can run underneath the mobo (ie front panel) then do so. this makes cable management eaiser, if you do it while building the case. Insert your CPU in to the mobo and apply the thermal paste (removing any existing thermal paste that could have been left on from the stock cooler). If your CPU Heatsink Fan has a back retention plate, then fix that in place and attach the CPU HSF. Screw in the mobo with the correct brass stand offs in the correct places. Insert RAM stick, in colour coded pairs. Connect the Front Panel audio, USB, switches and LEDs up. Take out the Mobo Battery and clear CMOS. Insert the GPU and screw it into the case. Screw HDD into the Case and connect to the Mobo. Screw the ODD into the case and connect to the Mobo Then connect up all the PSU wires to their correct sockets on the various components and try to cable tidy as much as possible to aid the air cooling capacities of the case. Press the on button and listen to the wonder full sound of the POST. then go into the BIOS and set to boot from the ODD and sett he timings and speed of the RAM. Exit the BIOS, and insert the OS of your choice and start installing the OS. While installing the OS (a long proccess) grad you self an ice cold beer/irn brew/coke/pepsi/lassi etc and just marvel at your genius, and think about sending me $20 for helping you, but then think, wait if i have $20, lets get a few cable ties and some spiral wrap and use our jigsaw in the garage and cable tidy Once your OS in installed download firefox, get on aD and send us pictures of your brand new set up then find the best way to relax after such hard work by hitting up the p0rn sites
looks like a good guide. should help out some of the newbs. but perhaps something should be added after installing the OS, to you MUST install some anti-virus, as many people i know that have either bought, or built themselves a new computer forget this crucial step, and wonder why their brand new computer sucks a week later.
I really was being a smart ass spamual...I know what its like when you try to help by doing something like this and theres always one person in the crowd saying you shouldve done this or that, its really quite irritating. Your list looks like most of the basics covered. If I were to say anything negative, it wouldnt be lack of pictures. With fear of sounding more like the irritating one, I'd say that someone who needed this information, theyd also need to know the importance of a anti-static wrist band, or discharging your static by touching the metal case or similar precautions.
