HANDS ON GUIDE

Section 2: Putting the PC together

First steps

Once the initial buzz of the kit arriving fades, it may be replaced by panic, especially if you've never built a PC. Don't worry though - it's quite easy, especially as this is a budget machine.

Your first job is to install the CPU in the LGA775 socket. Place the motherboard on a hard, flat surface. Remove the socket's plastic guard, then lift the hook, open the metal flap and insert the chip. Two notches in the chip ensure that it sits flush in the socket when correctly orientated, and you'll be able to close the flap over it, and lock it in place using the hook.

Next, install the memory in the yellow slots to enable dual-channel mode. Flick back the white catches, put the DIMMs in place and push down until the catches click into place.

You now need to install the Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro HSF; this is the main reason for installing this stuff before you place the motherboard in the case, as its four plastic pegs can make it deeply irritating to install. To be fair to Arctic Cooling, this is Intel's fault for creating a stupid heatsink mounting system. Start by lining up the Freezer 7 Pro's four plastic pins so that you can push in the black switch. You'll notice a little catch halfway down the clear plastic; the black switch must be clear of this on each of the four mounts.

After that, place the Freezer 7 Pro so that its fan blows air across the heatsink and towards the back of the case. Then push down on one of the black switches so that the clear plastic teeth go through the hole in the motherboard (it helps if you lift up the motherboard to see this). When the teeth have gone through the hole, turn the black switch to keep it in place. Repeat the process with the switch diagonally opposite, and then the other two. After that, wiggle the Freezer 7 Pro on its mounts to make sure it's seated securely, and that the TIM makes proper contact with the CPU.

On the case

You can now start work on the case. Remove both side panels. Then remove the air duct on the left panel, as it won't fit with the Freezer 7 Pro in place. The 120mm fan at the back of the case will remove hot air coming off the Freezer 7 Pro.

Install your PSU at the top of the case with the fan pointing down, using the screws that came with it to screw it to the back of the case. The next job is to work out which power cables you need. You don't need much for this PC, and thankfully, the cables are already bunched together with mesh to make life easier.

You need a cable with two S-ATA power connectors, the four-pin ATX12V connector, a 6-pin PCI-E connector for the graphics card and the 20+4-pin ATX connector for the motherboard's main power socket. The rest can be wrapped together using the Velcro provided, and tied to the top 5.25in drive bays using the holes on the right of the case to keep them out of the way. Bear in mind that you need space for your DVD burner in the bottom 5.25in drive bay, so keep the cables out of its way. It's also worth using the other Velcro strip to bunch the cables together at the top of the case to keep it neat.

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