At some point, we have all upgraded some aspect of our computer. Whether it's increasing the memory, swapping out a Power Supply, putting in an additional hard drive, or putting in a better video card, at some point, we all have tried to upgrade our computers. Well, building a computer from scratch is not that far removed from upgrading components. The same rules apply: follow the instructions set forth by the manufacturer and be careful of what you are doing.

I would like to present some tips for those that would like to build their own computer. This Document will touch on the tips that I have acquired over the years in order to make sure that each custom computer I build will last a very long time.Here are some points to keep in mind:

• Before beginning, make sure that the motherboard is on a level surface and make sure that you are off of a carpeted surface. If you are not able to get off the carpet to build your computer, take precaution when touching the motherboard or when you are working inside your computer. I would strongly advise buying a Electrostatic Discharge Wrist Guard. This device costs no more than $10 and will protect your motherboard and other components from static electricity.

• Both Intel and AMD processors only go in one way. Each have small notch(es) in the processor that aligns with a notch in the motherboard housing. Lay the processor in gently and close the covering. If you have to force the covering to close, the processor is in the wrong way.

Here is an example of the notch. I have noticed this on both Intel and AMD processors so be aware of your motherboard's processor housing before buying a processor that may not fit in your motherboard.

• If you buy an Intel processor, the heatsink will come with the processor. There is the required amount of thermal paste on the underside of the heatsink protected by a plastic film. Do not forget to check the underside of the heatsink to remove this film before connecting the heatsink to the motherboard. Obviously you can buy the processor without the heatsink. In this case, I would presume that the processor would not have any thermal paste on it at all.

• If you decide to use an aftermarket thermal paste, be very careful how much paste you apply. Also, remember to completely wipe all the existing thermal paste off of the heatsink before applying the new paste. Normally, just a small amount on the underside of the heatsink is all you need. However, if you go with one of the best on the market now, Arctic Silver 5, their instructions specifically state to use, "no more than half the size of a long grain rice." If you use any more than that, your computer will overheat; it is that powerful. Here is a link to Arctic Silver 5's Instruction guide.

• The heatsink may be a pain to connect to the motherboard. There are four (4) collapsible prongs that must click in place before you can feel assured that the heatsink is securely attached to the motherboard. You will have to twist and push each prong in place. If you do not feel a click on each one, gently turn to push the prong down. You will not damage the motherboard but the prong may break if you push to hard. If you do not secure the heatsink to the motherboard, the heatsink can fall off while the system is running and damage the processor or any hardware components it may hit.

• I always put the processor and heatsink in the motherboard before I put the motherboard in the case. Depending on the size of your case, you will not have enough room to work if you put the motherboard in first.

• When connecting the wiring, follow the motherboard instructions and use a flashlight if you have to. The wiring is very small and the labels on the wires are even smaller. It is very easy to put a wire in the wrong place. Please remember that not all wires are neceessary for your specific motherboard. For example. I do not buy a Power Supply unless it has a 20+4 connector (20 prong motherboard connector with a 4 prong extension). Now, depending on the configuration of the motherboard, I may only need the 20 prong connector. The 4 prong connector will just lay there because it is not needed. However, some motherboards require a full 24 prong connection. Therefore, I would connect both the 20 prong and the 4 prong connector.

• Also, please remember to connect the fan connections as well as the heastsink connections. If the heatsink is not connected to the motherboard, it will not spin when the computer is turned on and, more than likely, the computer will not turn on at all.

• At this point, the hard part is over. Everything else is just connecting the hardware components and memory to the motherboard. There is no right or wrong way to add your components to the motherboard. Personally, after I connect all the wiring, I put in the memory and then put in the hardware (hard drive(s), optical drive(s), video card(s), any other expansion slot device)

• Once you have everything in the computer, make sure to connect the Power Supply connectors to all devices that require it. This includes: fans, optical drives, hard drives, and floppy drives. If any device is left unconnected, your computer may not turn on, or at the very least, that particular device will not function.

• Other than that, I would say the biggest advice I can give is be patient. If the system does not power on completely or does not work the way you think it should the very first time, be persistent and use some troubleshooting techniques to see what the problem may be. If you have to, strip the computer down completely and start over. Also, follow the instructions provided by the motherboard manufacturer to the tee. All of the instructions provided should be very easy to follow and should guide you each step of the way.

Obviously, the last thing that you would have to do is install your desired Operating System but other Documents have more than covered these steps.