Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
Things You Need to Have
The following sections detail the items you should have at hand before you
actually start building your new system. Make a checklist and make sure you
check off each item before you begin. There are few things as frustrating as
being forced to stop in mid-build when you belatedly realize you're missing a
cable or other small component.
Components
Building a PC requires at least the following components. Have all of them
available before you start to build the system. Open each component box and
verify the contents against the packing list before you actually start the build.
• Case and power supply, with power cord
• Motherboard, with custom I/O shield, if needed
• Processor
• CPU cooler, with thermal compound or pad
• Memory module(s)
• Hard drive(s) and cable(s)
• Optical drive, with data cable
• Video adapter, unless embedded
• Sound adapter, unless embedded
• Network adapter, unless embedded
• Any other expansion cards (if applicable)
• Supplementary case fan(s)
• Keyboard, mouse, display and other external peripherals
• Screws, brackets, drive rails, and other connecting hardware
HandToolsandSupplies
You really don't need many tools to build a PC. We built one PC using only a
Swiss Army Knife, just to prove it could be done. Our basic PC building toolkit
is a #1 Phillips screwdriver. It's a bit small for the largest screws and a bit large
for the smallest, but we've built dozens of systems using no other tool.
Non-Fatal Attraction
Don't worry about using magnetized
tools. Despite the common warnings
about doing so, we've used magne-
tized screwdrivers for years without
any problem. They are quite handy
for picking up dropped screws and so
on. Use commonsense precautions,
though, such as avoiding putting the
magnetized tips near the flat surface
of a hard drive or other magnetic
media.
It's helpful to have more tools, of course. Needle-nose pliers are useful for set-
ting jumpers. A flashlight is often useful, even if your work area is well lit. A 5
mm (or, rarely, 6 mm) nut driver makes it faster to install the brass standoffs
that support the motherboard. A larger assortment of screwdrivers can also
be helpful.
