Building your first PC

The complete first-build walkthrough: from an empty case to a machine that POSTs, in an order that minimizes frustration and risk.

1. 1

   Prepare your workspace

   Clear a large table, unbox everything, and keep the motherboard box — its cardboard makes a perfect non-conductive work surface. Touch a metal part of the case occasionally to discharge static, or wear an anti-static strap.

   Tip: Keep screws in the case's accessory box lid, sorted by type.

2. 2

   Install the CPU

   Open the socket lever on the motherboard. Align the CPU using the golden triangle in one corner with the triangle on the socket, lower it in without force, and close the lever. Modern sockets only fit one way.

   Careful: Never force a CPU. If it doesn't drop in freely, lift it and re-check alignment — bent pins are the most expensive beginner mistake.

3. 3

   Install RAM and M.2 storage

   Open the RAM slot clips (use slots A2 and B2 — usually the 2nd and 4th from the CPU — check your manual). Line up the notch, then press both ends firmly until the clips snap closed. For the M.2 SSD, remove the heatsink screw, slide the drive in at an angle, press flat and secure it.

   Tip: RAM takes more force than feels comfortable. A loud click per side is normal.

4. 4

   Mount the CPU cooler

   For air coolers: apply a pea-sized dot of thermal paste to the CPU center (skip if the cooler has pre-applied paste), then mount the cooler per its manual and connect its fan to the CPU_FAN header. For AIOs: mount the pump block now but leave the radiator for after the board is in the case.

   Careful: Remove the plastic film from the cooler's cold plate — forgetting it is a classic cause of instant overheating.

5. 5

   Install the motherboard

   Verify the standoffs in the case match your board's holes. Lower the board in at a slight angle so the I/O aligns with the cutout (many boards have an integrated I/O shield; if yours is separate, install it first). Secure with the provided screws — snug, not gorilla-tight.

   Tip: Screw in the center standoff first — it aligns everything else.

6. 6

   Install PSU and connect power

   Mount the PSU with its fan facing the case vent, then run: the 24-pin to the board, the 8-pin EPS to the top-left CPU connector, and set aside PCIe cables for the GPU. If modular, connect cables to the PSU before mounting for easier access.

   Careful: The 8-pin EPS (CPU) and 8-pin PCIe (GPU) cables look similar but are keyed differently — check the labels on the connectors.

7. 7

   Install the GPU

   Remove the correct PCI slot covers, open the top PCIe slot's latch, and press the card in until the latch clicks. Screw the bracket down, then connect the PCIe power cables — fully seated, no daisy-chaining a single cable for high-wattage cards.

   Tip: Plug your monitor into the GPU, not the motherboard's video outputs.

8. 8

   Front panel, fans, and first boot

   Connect the front-panel connectors (power switch, USB, audio — the manual's diagram is your friend), case fans to FAN headers, then do a final check: EPS in? RAM clicked? GPU powered? Power on. Seeing the BIOS screen means you've built a working PC. Enable XMP/EXPO for your RAM's rated speed while you're there.

   Tip: No POST? Don't panic — see our 'PC won't boot' guide; it's almost always a seating or cable issue.