How To Build A Computer Part 5: Attaching The Cables

In the first part of How To Build A Computer we highlighted to you, how to look for the computer parts that you needed. In the next article we taught you how to prep your casing as well as how to install your motherboard. For the third part in How To Build A Computer we touched some more on the motherboard and finally we also spoke on the all important CPU unit as well as how to keep your pc cool. In this part on How To Build A Computer we'll be talking about the many important cables in your computer, where and how to attach them.

Firstly, with the motherboard in place, attach the main power cable from the power supply unit to the motherboard. This is a rectangular connection that is slotted to prevent improper connection.

Next, attach all the small wires to the LED, the power switch, the reset switch and the internal speaker. These wires are clearly labeled and are attached to the motherboard with small plugs which have two or four wires.

Now attach the drive cables to the motherboard. Drive cables are flat ribbon cables that usually have three connectors attached to them. One connector is attached to the motherboard and the other two are attached to the hard drives or optical drives. The floppy drive cables are thinner than the cables for the hard drives or the optical drives and also have a twist in them.

Floppy drive cables are standard for any type of motherboard, but there are two different types of cables for hard drives depending on whether your motherboard has ATA or SATA controllers. The traditional ATA (or EIDE) cables can connect two drives and are limited to 18 inches in length. SATA cables, on the other hand, have just one connector and can be as long as 40 inches.

Both ATA and SATA connectors are keyed so it's impossible to connect them the wrong way. Remember to attach the required cables to the motherboard before installing any of the drives.

How To Build A Computer Part 5