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Assembling your Homebuilt PC: Getting Ready
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Before beginning to assemble your new computer, gather everything you need (your computer tool kit, components and manuals) together in one place.
Place something over your table to avoid damaging the surface. An anti-static mat is best because it will not only protect your table from scratches, but also protect your computer's components from static damage.
Building You Own Computer: Safety & Anti-Static Precautions
If you haven't already read the page about safety and anti-static precautions, read it now. You can find it here.
Go ahead. We'll wait for you.
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A static shock that is much too small for a human to to feel can still be enough to fry sensitive computer components. So if you don't have an anti-static wrist strap, stop right now and go buy one.
The anti-static kit pictured on the right is a professional model that comes with an anti-static mat (the red thing in the picture). The strap attaches to the anti-static mat as well as to the computer's chassis. Less expensive ones (and even disposable ones) are also available.
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The wrist strap attaches to the computer's chassis by means of a high-tech device commonly known as an alligator clip. Connect the alligator clip to an unpainted, metal part of the computer chassis, and check it frequently to make sure it hasn't fallen off.
The wrist strap may be placed on either wrist, as long as it fits snugly. Most people place it on their non-dominant wrist so it's less in the way while they are working.
Anti-static kits are sometimes called "ESD" kits. ESD stands for "Electro Static Discharge." It means exactly the same thing. It's just that we geeks love our three-letter acronyms.
Planning your Homebuilt Computer's Assembly Sequence
Take a few minutes to look at your computer case, motherboard, and other parts. Try to think ahead through the assembly process to determine what is the best order in which to build the machine.
What you're trying to avoid is installing a component that gets in the way of installing another component later on. A few minutes of planning at this point can help prevent annoyance later.
In most cases, however, the first part you will install in your homebuilt computer is the motherboard; so if you're ready, let's move on to the next page: Installing the Motherboard.
