How To Build A Computer Part 3: Attaching The Cables

I hope you didn't throw your motherboard manual away because in part 3 of How To Build A Computer you're going to need it. It's mainly to help you configure the settings on your motherboard and to ensure that it's working at maximum efficiency.

For this part of How To Build A Computer, your motherboard should now be installed on the motherboard plate. The reason for installing it on the plate before adding the components like the CPU is to minimize the amount of handling the motherboard receives. Once it's mounted on the plate, there will be a very little need to touch the motherboard itself.

However, as we noted in the previous article, some cases do not have a removable plate. In this case, you must install all the components on the motherboard before installing it in the case.

Before installing the CPU and memory chips, you need to configure your motherboard for bus speeds and voltage settings. This is usually accomplished by changing a series of switches or placing jumpers on various pins. You will need to refer to your motherboard manual to find the correct settings.

There are two voltage settings that need to match your CPU. They are core voltage and I/O voltage. You may find the core voltage printed on the CPU itself, and the I/O voltage also needs to be set according to the CPU specs. Some motherboards detect voltage automatically, in which case you do not need to worry about the settings.

The second setting for the CPU is the system bus speed. This is set using a series of jumpers to match the speed of the CPU. The jumpers are small pieces of plastic with metal contacts inside. They fit over pins on the motherboard so that two pins are connected. Again, consult your motherboard manual for the correct jumper placement.

Depending on your motherboard, there may be other jumper settings for the type of power supply, RAM speed, and enabling or disabling onboard controllers. Need I say more? Check your motherboard manual for all the settings that are required.

How To Build A Computer Part 3