Building a PC STEP BY STEP.

Step by step instructions on assembling a computer

Including instructions for installing Linux or Windows

Want to assemble your own PC for fun?

Once you know how to choose a PC, you can see how to assemble a PC. We thought some of you may want the fun and learning of assembling a computer by yourself! It's a lot easier than you might think to build a computer! Some of you may just have an interest in knowing how a computer is assembled or in upgrading a part in your own PC. If you do want to assemble a PC by yourself you can order a do-it-yourself (DIY) PC parts kit! For ordering info see our PC assembly project. Of course you can buy a PC from us fully assembled as well.
You may also be interested in seeing our recommended parts for a mainstream computer and our recommended parts for a gaming computer, or our guides on how to choose PC parts.
So here are the step by step instructions on how to assemble a computer! As you complete each step, click it's 'Step to do' button to change it to 'Step done' to mark your progress! Follow the sequence of steps in the order presented, some steps do need to be completed first because access to them can be blocked by other parts if installed in a different order.

Getting the computer case ready

See how to choose a computer case. Lay a cloth on a table big enough to accommodate the case, monitor, keyboard and speakers. Make sure that a power supply wall outlet can be reached. Remove case from packing box, making sure not to scratch case or destroy packing that will be recycled in shipping. Keep all packing materials back in the packing box. Place case on table. Unscrew the screws at the back of case and remove left and right side panels. Remove the front panel usually by pulling under the bottom of the front panel. Remove top DVD drive bay cover from the front of the case.
Remove the instruction manual if any and screws packet from the case. Keep the manual in a folder or envelope. Do the same for all manuals, warranties, paperwork, DVDs, CDs that might come with each component. This folder and its contents should stay with the finished computer. Tip - for this folder you can use the motherboard plastic wrapper when you later unwrap the motherboard.
Keep the screws packet handy for use. When it comes to which screws to use where, because the different screw sizes look very much alike, use the size that fits best! Tip - generally the hard drive screws are a slightly bigger size. The PSU screws are also the same size but sometimes have a bigger head.The DVD screws are a bit smaller. Motherboard screws may be the same as the hard drive or DVD screws.
Cooler Master computer case

For the CurrentBuild Dream PC, a gaming PC, in preparation for installing a two slot video card remove from the case's rear the two metal brackets corresponding to the motherboard's PCI express x16 slot and the one next to it by unscrewing them and/or snapping them out. These are usually the two highest slots. If you are installing a single slot video card remove only one metal bracket corresponding to the PCI express x16 slot. Depending on the case you may have to remove a slot cover before removing the metal bracket(s).
If you plan on installing an internal adapter card, say for example a PCI Express wireless adapter card if you want your PC to have the ability to connect to a wireless network in addition to a wired network, remove the metal bracket from the case rear corresponding to the PCI Express x1 slot on your motherboard that is farthest from the PCI express x16 video card slot. You want to give a video card that you install now or add one in the future as much room as possible for air flow and cooling.

Install power supply unit (PSU)

See how to choose a PSU. MAKE SURE VOLTAGE SWITCH ON PSU IS SET TO RIGHT VOLTAGE FOR YOUR COUNTRY! Stand the case. Position power supply unit in its section in the case rear with the power plug socket facing outside the case rear and its fan side placed appropriately based on case design. You don't want the fan facing into a case wall. The PSU should rest on small ledges in the case. Fasten 4 screws that came with the case through rear of case into PSU to hold PSU in place. Tighten all screws with fingertip force only to avoid over tightening and potential damage.

Install DVD drive

See how to choose a DVD CD drive. Remove from the front panel of the case the top external 5.25 inch drive bay cover for the DVD drive if not already done so when getting the computer case ready. Remove any steel grill from the entrance of this bay on the case so you can slide the DVD drive in. Usually there is no grill for this top bay.
Slide DVD drive into this bay from the front of the case, so it rests on the small ledges inside the bay. Slide in so it is level with the front panel, and so the screw holes on each side of the DVD drive line up with the holes on the drive bay of the case. Fasten with 8 screws, 4 on each side.

Install motherboard

See how to choose a motherboard. DO NOT SCRATCH MOTHERBOARD TO AVOID POTENTIAL DAMAGE TO ETCHINGS ON MOTHERBOARD
Lay case on its side with open side facing up, back of case (rear outputs side) closest to you. Drape all case wires including PSU wires outside case, making sure not to scratch case, to clear the motherboard area. Snap in the metal outputs shield that came with the motherboard into the case rear outputs section as follows. Snap it in from the inside of the case after aligning the three vertical round holes (audio output holes) on the shield to your right when facing the case. Install shield by snapping along edges till small points take hold.
Screw 6 motherboard standoff screws (they look like studs with screws), that came with the case into the case. The CurrentBuild Dream PC's motherboard requires 8 standoff screws, check your motherboard first. Screw the standoff screws into the 6 or 8 holes that are marked on the case for the micro ATX motherboard size that will match the location of holes on your motherboard when placed on the standoff screws. You might want to hold the motherboard carefully over the case just to visually line up the motherboard holes and the case standoff screw locations.
Tighten the standoff screws into the case with fingertip force only using a 5mm nut driver tool or similar tool. Tip - the case manufacturer often provides a 5mm socket or nut driver tool along with the motherboard standoff screws for this job. Look carefully in the screws packet, this socket can be a very small item, and it's easy to confuse it for a thumb screw. If no tool is provided, because some of these standoff screw locations are close to a case edge, a 5mm socket with a screwdriver that turns the socket is your cheapest tool solution you might just have at home. You can angle the screwdriver a bit if the case edge is in the way.
Test which size screw that came with the case fits into the standoff screws before placing the motherboard on the standoff screws. It's hard to get out the wrong sized screw if the motherboard is in place. Place motherboard on top of the standoff screws while at the same time aligning the motherboard's output connectors with the corresponding holes in the metal output shield on the case. Fasten 6 or 8 of these screws through the motherboard into the standoff screws to fasten motherboard to the case. Make sure the screws do not fall on the motherboard and use a screwdriver that fits the screw well so it won't slip out on the motherboard while tightening. Again, tighten screws with fingertip force only to avoid damage. Also at some point in the future you may want another motherboard and you don't want a nightmare unscrewing overly tightened screws.

Install processor (CPU)

See how to choose a CPU chip. Follow any installation instructions that came with cpu. They are usually as follows. Handle CPU with care touch only by the sides! Don't touch the socket on the motherboard! Note location of a triangle marked on one corner of the CPU plastic cap that covers the CPU socket on the motherboard. A triangle is also marked on the socket's metal bracket under the plastic cap which you can't see at this time. Leave the plastic cap in place for now. Unlock CPU socket lever on the motherboard and turn back the CPU socket plastic cap and metal bracket still together, exposing the CPU socket.
Align gold triangle on CPU with the corner of the CPU socket where the triangle was noted, and also align the two notches on the CPU sides with the CPU socket and place CPU in socket. Return CPU socket metal bracket over CPU making sure front of metal bracket slides under the retention knob on the motherboard, then lock CPU lever to lock CPU in place. This action will remove the CPU plastic cap by snapping it off. Keep it with the PC documentation you might need it in the future.

Install CPU heat sink and CPU fan

Follow any installation instructions that came with CPU heat sink and CPU fan. They are usually as follows. Make sure the thermal paste on the bottom of the CPU heat sink is not wiped off by placing on another surface. Unwind CPU fan wire from around the CPU fan or else it will hit the fan blades during fan operation. Place CPU heat sink and CPU fan unit on the CPU making sure the CPU fan wire is on the side with easy access to the CPU fan header (a slot or connector) on the motherboard. Connect the 4 CPU heat sink connectors to the motherboard per instructions from the CPU manual. Usually it's first align and then push in these connectors securely into the 4 holes on the motherboard around the CPU socket, locking it to the motherboard. There are arrows on the top of each of the 4 CPU heat sink connectors, they should point in the locked position, usually the default position when you first take the CPU heat sink out of its packing box. Check the CPU manual to confirm the direction of these arrows for the locked position.
Connect CPU fan to CPU fan header on motherboard. Align the fan's connector with the tab on the motherboard CPU fan header and insert. Tuck the fan wire away from the CPU fan and the PSU fan. Refer motherboard manual for motherboard diagram to find locations for all headers, jumpers and other connectors on the motherboard. If you don't have a motherboard manual download it from the motherboard manufacturer's website, or you can just look at the motherboard though markings are often coded and small to read.

Install memory

See how to choose memory. Install one memory stick in memory slot 1. Desktop memory slots are now called DIMM slots. If you're installing a second memory stick install it in the memory slot that is the pair to memory slot 1. Memory slot pairs are identified by being the same color. This could be memory slot 2 or memory slot 3 on motherboards with 4 memory slots. On motherboards with 2 memory slots, just insert the second memory stick in memory slot 2.
To install a memory stick, unlock the corner clasps on the DIMM memory slot you will be using on the motherboard. Make sure the notch on the memory stick metal edge aligns with the notch in the memory slot before inserting it. Make sure you insert the memory stick all the way into the slot. This usually causes the corner clasps of the DIMM slot to click in and lock the memory stick in place. If this doesn't happen make sure the memory stick is all the way into the slot and then manually lock in the clasps.

Install hard disk drive (HDD) and/or solid state drive (SSD)

See how to choose a hard drive. Check which empty slot in the 3.5 inch internal drive bay in the case would be best for the hard drive to be inserted based on the least interference to or blocking motherboard connections. Look at the motherboard in relation to these slots and decide. For the Sense PC this would be second from top slot, for the Dream PC this would be the top slot. Stand case, insert the hard drive into this selected bay making sure the label side of the drive faces up, and the hard drive connectors face into the case. Push in the hard drive so the screw holes on each side of the hard drive line up with the holes on the drive bay of the case, and the hard drive rests on the 4 small ledges inside the drive bay. Fasten 4 screws to these holes, 2 on each side, to secure the hard drive to the drive bay.
If you're installing a 2.5 inch solid state drive SSD as a replacement or in addition to a HDD check to see if your case has a 2.5 inch internal drive bay. It may be at the inside floor of the case, requiring four screws to attach the SSD to the inside floor of the case. These screws are the same size as the DVD drive screws. Before installing make sure the SSD connectors face toward the motherboard and the top of the SSD faces the top of the case.
If your case does not have a 2.5 inch internal drive bay for your SSD you will need to use an adapter bracket to install the 2.5 inch SSD drive into the 3.5 inch internal drive bay of the computer case. The adapter bracket is a separate part. It's very simple, just fasten the SSD drive to the bracket with 4 screws and then fasten the bracket to an open case drive bay as described above for a HDD, again making sure the SSD connectors face toward the motherboard and the top of the SSD faces the top of the case. Note also the bracket should be fastened to the case drive bay so the SSD is on top of or resting on the bracket base as opposed to being under or suspended from the bracket base.

Clear CMOS to reset BIOS or UEFI settings

Place case back on its side with motherboard facing up, bottom of case closest to you, and case wires and PSU wires draped outside case. To reset the BIOS or UEFI to its default settings, clear CMOS memory by using the CMOS header on the motherboard. Refer motherboard manual for these instructions. Usually this involves simply moving the jumper from pins 1 and 2 on the CMOS header to pins 2 and 3 for ten seconds and then returning the jumper back to pins 1 and 2 where they stay. If there is no pin 3 just touch the metal part of a screwdriver to pins 1 and 2 for ten seconds (don't scratch motherboard).

Tuck and tie PSU wires

Start by separating the PSU wires you will not be using and tuck and tie these wires behind the motherboard, if the case has that wiring arrangement, or around the motherboard into empty case areas keeping the drive bays clear as much as possible for future expansion. As you proceed with the steps below connecting the rest of the wires to connectors, do the same for those wires. This keeps the motherboard uncluttered for air flow so it stays cool, and for a neat and organized look. This is more an art than a science.

Connect power to motherboard

Plug in 20 + 4 pin main power connector from the PSU to the main power header on motherboard. The pins shapes match the pin sockets and can only be inserted one way. The clasp on the connector will direct you. Make sure the clasp locks to the header.

Connect power to CPU

Plug in the 4 pin CPU power connector from the PSU to the CPU power header on motherboard. Make sure to connect by matching pin shapes on connector to pin sockets on header. The clasp on the connector will direct you, and make sure the clasp locks to the header. If you use a more powerful PSU this CPU power connector will have 8 pins, no problem just connect 4 of the pins, again the shape of the pins and the clasp will direct you which 4 pins to use and the direction it plugs in. If your motherboard has an 8 pin socket CPU power header then connect all 8 pins from the PSU CPU power connector, again matching pin and socket shapes.

Connect case front panel wires to motherboard

Connect the following wires from the case to the front panel header (or system panel header) on the motherboard. The case's power button wire, reset button wire, power LED wire and HDD LED wire. If the case has a speaker, connect case's speaker wire to speaker header on motherboard.
From the diagram of the motherboard in the motherboard manual find the location of the front panel header and speaker header. This is where these case wires connect. Each case wire has a pair of connectors at the end, except for the speaker wire which has more, that are inserted over the corresponding pins on these motherboard headers.
Turn to the page in the motherboard manual where you find details on front panel header connections and accordingly connect the case wires. For example, for the case's power button wire the manual will point to two specific pins on the front panel header where this wire connects to. The manual will show one of these pins on the header as 'power button', the other pin will be shown as 'ground'. On the case's power button wire there is a tiny triangle, which is hard to see, marked at the end of one of its two connectors that is the 'power button' or positive connector, the other connector without the triangle is the 'ground' connector. Accordingly connect the power button connector to the power button pin on the header, and the ground connector to the ground pin. Tip - usually the case wires connectors with these triangles signifying a positive charge have a wire color other than white, while the ground wires are white. However different case manufacturers might follow different conventions so check for the triangle to confirm which connector is positive.
Once you understand where a case wire connects to the front panel header by knowing what to look for the rest is easy.

Connect case front panel USB 3 wire to motherboard

Connect case's front panel USB 3 wire from case to a USB 3 header on motherboard. Align the notch on the connector with the notch on the header and insert connector. If your case has only a front panel USB 2 cable connect it to a USB 2 header on the motherboard.

Connect case front panel HD audio wire to motherboard

Connect case's front panel HD audio wire from case to front panel audio header on motherboard. Align the connector accordingly with the missing pin on the header and insert.

Connect case fan to motherboard

Connect case fan to case fan header (or chassis or 'cha_fan1' or 'sys_fan1' header) on motherboard. Your case fan may have a 3 pin or a 4 pin connector, while your case fan header is likely a 4 pin header. The 4th pin can control the fan speed. The other pins are ground, power and monitoring fan speed. Either way, whether 3 pin or 4 pin, make sure the connector aligns with the tab on the header, so you make the right connection.

Connect power to HDD/SSD and DVD

Connect a power rail with SATA connectors from PSU to HDD and/or SSD.
Connect a separate power rail with SATA connectors from PSU to DVD.
Note that the inside of SATA PSU connectors have a 'L' shape, so align the connectors accordingly.

Connect SATA cables from motherboard to HDD/SSD and DVD

Connect a SATA cable that came with the motherboard starting from the lowest numbered motherboard SATA 6 Gbps header to HDD and/or SSD. This could be SATA 0 or SATA 1 depending on the motherboard.
Connect another SATA cable that came with the motherboard from the next numbered motherboard SATA 6 Gbps header to DVD.
Note that the inside of SATA motherboard connectors have a 'L' shape, so align the connectors accordingly.
Note, if you are connecting two HDD/SSDs connect these drives to the lowest and next numbered SATA connectors and the DVD to the third. This is important where the motherboard has only two SATA 6 Gbps connectors and the rest are SATA 3 Gbps. You want the hard drives to have the faster connection, the DVD is fine with SATA 3 Gbps speed.

Install video card

See how to choose a video card. Adding this section for CurrentBuild Dream PC, a gaming computer and power PC, which uses a separate video card. Or use these these instructions if you ever want to add a video card to your Sense PC, thereby easily upgrading your PC to a gaming PC!
If not already done so remove from the case's rear the two metal brackets corresponding to the motherboard's PCI express x16 slot and the one next to it. These are usually the two highest slots. This is for a dual slot video card, for a single slot video card remove only one metal bracket corresponding to the motherboard's PCI express x16 slot. Depending on the case you may have to remove a slot cover before removing the metal bracket(s).
Remove any plastic covers on the video card's metal connectors and output connectors. Unlock the corner clasp on the PCI express x16 slot on the motherboard and insert the video card into the slot. Once inserted, manually relock the corner clasp to the video card, it may automatically do this when the video card is inserted, but check to see it's done. Screw the video card's two metal brackets to the case rear to fasten the card. Some cases have a slot cover that goes on over the brackets before you screw the brackets to the case, in which case use this cover as well. Make sure you don't scratch the motherboard with the video card's metal brackets or other part.
If the video card has a power connector slot, connect to this a 6 pin or 8 pin PCI Express power connector from the PSU, matching the slot holes on the video card. More powerful video cards can have two 6 pin or two 8 pin power connectors, in which case connect two connectors. Route this PSU PCI Express wire behind the motherboard if the case has motherboard plate cutouts for wires, otherwise route it around the motherboard behind the main power connector in order to reduce clutter and increase air flow.

Install internal adapter card

Adding this in case you want to install an internal adapter card, for example a PCI Express wireless adapter if you want your PC to connect to a wireless network instead of a wired network.
If not already done so remove from the case rear the metal bracket corresponding to the motherboard's PCI Express x1 slot that is farthest from the PCI Express x16 video card slot. As stated earlier you want to give a video card that you install now or add one in the future as much room as possible for cooling. Insert the adapter card into the slot. Screw the adapter card's metal bracket to the case rear to fasten the adapter to the case. Some cases have a metal cover that goes on over the bracket before you screw the bracket to the case, in which case use this cover as well. Attach any antenna provided with a wireless adapter card to the adapter's inputs at the case rear. As usual make sure you don't scratch the motherboard with the adapter card's metal bracket or other part.

Place CurrentBuild Sense PC logo label on case

Place CurrentBuild Sense label sticker at center and top of front panel.

Test connections

Plug in PSU power cord into PSU and to wall outlet and start computer. Use usual precautions when handling electricity! Test to see the following are running - all 3 fans - case, CPU, PSU, (and video card fan(s) if separate video card installed). Test power button (PC comes on and off) and reset button (HDD LED light blinks once). Test to see all 3 LED lights work - PLED light (power on light that stays on when PC is on), DVD LED light (comes on at start then goes off), HDD LED light (blinks initially).

Put back case left, right and front panels

Screw back case left and right panels with thumb screws. Make sure you get the sides correctly, a case side panel with a window faces the front side of the motherboard giving the components ventilation.
Snap back front panel.

More testing

To test CPU/memory/motherboard/hard drive/DVD/PSU/case/keyboard/mouse/audio - connect the monitor, keyboard, mouse, internet jack and speakers to the computer and install the operating system as follows.

Installing Linux or Windows 10 from a DVD or USB flash drive

See how to choose the operating system. To install Linux you need a Linux installation ISO image file on a DVD or a USB flash drive. Use this free Linux Live DVD or USB Live flash drive you create next! For Windows you have to buy an installation DVD.
See how you save money on Linux compared to Windows.

Create a free Linux Live DVD or USB Live flash drive

Going to make this real simple, pages have been written on this! On another computer just do the following:

To download the Linux installation ISO image file
- In a Windows PC download and install free BitTorrent, this is a downloading program that makes large downloads fast and verifies the download using torrent files. Or in a Linux PC you can use the free BitTorrent program Transmission. By the way Transmission is included with an installation of Linux Mint!
- Go to the download page for Linux Mint 17.2 Rafaela MATE 64 bit ISO file and click 'Torrent' to start the download. When prompted use BitTorrent or Transmission to perform the download, or,
- Go to the download page for Ubuntu 14.04.3 LTS Desktop 64 bit ISO file, scroll to the BitTorrent section and click that torrent file to start the download. When prompted use BitTorrent or Transmission to perform the download.
To create a free Linux Live DVD
- In a Windows PC download and install a free DVD burning software program, there are many just do a search or use any DVD burning software you might already have. Or in a Linux PC you can use the free CD/DVD burning program Brasero. By the way Brasero is included with an installation of Linux Mint!
- Use the DVD burning program to burn the Linux installation ISO image file you just downloaded onto a blank single write DVD or reuse a rewritable DVD.
Or to create a free Linux Live USB flash drive
- On a Windows PC download and install the program 'Universal USB Installer - Easy as 1 2 3' from pendriveLinux.com. The program download link is on that page and is called 'DOWNLOAD UUI'. Run that program and write the Linux installation ISO image file you just downloaded to a USB flash drive.
- On a Linux Mint PC use the program 'USB Image Writer' that comes included with Linux Mint to write the Linux installation ISO image file you just downloaded to a USB flash drive. That simple. This program needs the ISO file you downloaded to be a hybrid ISO file and recent Ubuntu and Mint distro ISO files are hybrid ISO files.
- On an Ubuntu PC use the program 'Startup Disk Creator' (USB-creator-gtk) to do the same. Other Linux distros have similar tools, just search for 'USB creator' or 'startup disk', you'll find a utility.
That's it!

Update BIOS or UEFI firmware

The motherboard may or may not have the latest BIOS or UEFI firmware and ME (Intel Management Engine) installed. While it's not necessary to have the latest BIOS or UEFI firmware and ME, it is a good thing to have. Note, some BIOS or UEFI do not do an ME update.
Enter BIOS or UEFI by tapping the delete key immediately on starting the computer. Update the BIOS or UEFI firmware and ME from the Internet flash utility in the BIOS or UEFI itself, if it has this utility.
If there is no Internet flash utility, the BIOS or UEFI probably has a USB flash utility. First on another PC download the latest BIOS or UEFI firmware (with included ME in some cases) from the motherboard manufacturer's website, unzip the file, and then copy the unzipped file(s) to a USB flash drive. Then use the BIOS or UEFI's USB flash utility to update to the new BIOS or UEFI file on the USB flash drive.
DO NOT POWER OFF THE PC, OR REMOVE THE USB FLASH DRIVE if using that method, till the update(s) are complete.

Change BIOS or UEFI settings to prepare for operating system (OS) installation

Enter BIOS or UEFI by tapping the delete key immediately on starting the computer.
First confirm from the BIOS or UEFI the components you installed in the PC. If you look around in the BIOS or UEFI, it will list the motherboard, CPU, memory size, hard drive, DVD drive. It will also tell you which motherboard connectors have been used for the hard drive, DVD drive and sometimes the memory sticks. This a good first test that it's all good.
Then make the following changes

If you're installing Windows update the date and time to your local time. Skip this step if you're installing Linux. Linux will change the BIOS or UEFI clock automatically to UTC time and automatically update your desktop time to your local time when you input your location during the Linux installation.
Under Integrated Peripherals or other similar heading make sure SATA Type is set to 'AHCI'. This setting is for Linux, Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7 and Vista. This is the default setting nowadays - 'AHCI'. For Windows XP set SATA Type to 'IDE'.
Newer motherboards and some other hardware devices can use UEFI boot mode which is a software layer between the firmware (BIOS) and the OS. Current versions of Linux and Windows also support UEFI. It's the current standard for booting an OS and has advantages, so if your hardware and OS support it you should use it. If however you have dual or multi-boot operating systems installed or planned to be installed and one of those was/has to be installed without UEFI then don't use UEFI. If you can't use UEFI boot mode for whatever reason then make the same boot menu changes mentioned below except without UEFI. Under boot menu for boot mode select UEFI with CSM or legacy support. This gives you the most flexibility for using different devices connected to the PC say for example a video card which may not have UEFI boot mode. The BIOS or UEFI on some motherboards may require you to select the operating system in addition to selecting UEFI as the boot mode. This is where the motherboard manufacturer is using Windows 8/8.1/10 as a proxy for UEFI mode. In this case, select Windows 8/8.1/10 with CSM or legacy support, even if you're installing Linux, it's the same as selecting UEFI with CSM or legacy support. However in this case, for a Linux installation, keep 'Secure Boot' disabled.
Under boot order priority make the First Boot Device your UEFI CD/DVD drive or UEFI USB flash drive depending on your OS installation media. Select your Second Boot Device to be UEFI hard drive.
You don't need motherboard branding displayed on start-up so disable it in the boot section.
Under Integrated Graphics Configuration or other similar heading make Primary Graphics Adapter - 'Onboard' or 'Integrated Graphics' or 'IGD' or some similar abbreviation, unless you are installing a separate video card in which case it should be PCI Express Graphics or 'PEG' or a similar abbreviation.
Make other changes to BIOS or UEFI as desired. Look through each menu and change as desired.
Before exiting the BIOS or UEFI, insert OS installation DVD in DVD drive or USB flash drive into your USB port, then save BIOS or UEFI settings and exit. You may have to use a USB 2.0 port, instead of a USB 3.0 port, depending on your chipset to ensure a UEFI boot. On restarting the PC, the OS installation will automatically boot up.

Install the operating system

With the computer booting from the OS installation DVD or from the USB flash drive, just follow the simple steps on the monitor to install the operating system. We've listed the instructions for installing Linux next.

Install Linux Mint 17.2 or Ubuntu 14.04.3 Desktop

Here are the step by step instructions for installing Linux Mint 17.2 or Ubuntu 14.04.3 Desktop, once the operating system installation DVD or USB flash drive boots up. They have many common steps, after all Mint is based on Ubuntu, so combining the instructions below, with differences noted.

On the boot up screen, for Linux Mint select 'Start Linux Mint 17.2 MATE 64-bit, for Ubuntu select 'Install Ubuntu'.
For Linux Mint, double click the DVD icon on the desktop 'Install Linux Mint'.
Choose your language.
Confirm your computer has free hard drive space and is connected to the Internet. The Internet will be automatically connected as long as your Internet provider does not require a username and password and the Internet jack is connected to the computer. If your Internet provider requires a username and password to connect you will have to configure the network. For example for Linux Mint, if you use a DSL Internet connection which requires a username and password, right click on the network icon in the right lower corner of the screen, click edit connections, and set up a DSL connection with your username and password. Similarly for Ubuntu. Make sure you are connected before you proceed.
For Ubuntu select 'Download updates while installing' and next select 'Install third party software'.
Because this is an installation on a new computer with a blank disk (hard drive), select 'Erase disk and install Linux Mint' or the same for Ubuntu. There is a warning that this will delete any files on the disk, it will do that so don't choose this option for a disk that's not blank. If you don't have a blank disk, select 'Something else' or 'Manual partitioning', but we won't cover that installation path here, though it's pretty easy as well. Here's an example on this page of manual partitioning a hard drive for a dual boot PC.
- You may not need full disk encryption (FDE) so keep that box unchecked if that is the case. However this is a highly useful feature if you will have sensitive files on your PC you want protected in case of theft or loss of your PC, or if you're working in an industry that requires full disk encryption like finance or health care as possible examples. If you check this box, your hard drive will be encrypted and you'll have an additional password required to start the OS. If you're planning a dual boot PC and want encryption don't select this box, that will require manual encryption of the partitions.
- Check the box for LVM (Logical Volume Manager), it'll help you in the future if you need to add hard drives and want to keep the same folders that stretch over more than one hard drive! It's a pretty cool concept. LVM also allows for easier and more flexible resizing of partitions in the future if you want to install another OS and want a dual boot or multi-boot PC into different operating systems. To do this you'll need to learn how to work with LVM, but that's for another day, just know your PC will be ready for it.
Start typing in your city and choose it from the drop down menu. There are many cities with the same name!
Choose your keyboard layout.
Gave your first name and last name in 'Your name', and other fields fill up automatically, keep the default or change them if you want to, and enter a password. Write down your password somewhere safe!
- Select 'login automatically' for normal use and faster start-up, unless you want an extra layer of security and wish to login with a password.
- Don't check 'Encrypt my home folder' unless you want another layer of security.
That's it, you will see soon see a message 'Installation Complete'. Click 'Restart Now'. Let the computer shut down. The DVD drive may open take out the OS installation DVD or remove the USB flash drive and press enter. The PC will restart automatically, or if you still see a message on your monitor that doesn't change, or you see a blank screen, wait a couple minutes then just power off and power back on. The OS has been installed!

Install Windows 10

Complete the steps on the monitor once the PC boots from the Windows installation DVD.
Enter the product key code during installation from the Certificate of Authentication sticker, then place this sticker on the case rear.
To make sure you get installation in UEFI mode when using a blank hard drive, when you get to 'where do want to install Windows' select the blank unallocated space on the drive then click 'New', then 'Apply', then 'OK'. You should see four partitions created, that will confirm installation will be in UEFI mode, then proceed with the rest of the installation steps on the monitor.

Reset boot order in BIOS or UEFI after installing OS

After installation of the operating system is complete, remove the OS installation DVD from the DVD drive or remove the USB flash drive, restart PC, enter BIOS or UEFI and change the boot order back to your UEFI hard drive first and your UEFI CD/DVD drive second. Or without UEFI in the same order mentioned here if you did not use UEFI boot mode during installation. Some OS's will automatically make this boot order change if UEFI boot mode was used during installation as you might see.
For a Linux OS installation you may notice the time in the BIOS or UEFI has changed as well, leave it like that, the time in the OS is right based on the location you entered during the OS installation.
Save and exit BIOS or UEFI and check out your new OS now installed on your hard drive! Wow!

For Linux - Updates

In Linux go to Menu - Administration - Update Manager or equivalent to download and install all improvements, security fixes and software patches for both the OS and the software packages that come pre-installed with the OS.

For Linux - Video card driver selection

For the Dream PC, which has an advanced video card that you want to take full advantage of all its features, in Linux go to Menu - Administration - Driver Manager to change from the already installed open source video driver to the AMD proprietary video driver, fglrx updates, if you have a AMD video card installed.
For the Sense PC, the open source video driver that is already installed is fine and no change is required.

For Windows 10 - Install drivers

In Windows, insert the motherboard CD/DVD that came with the motherboard into the DVD drive to install the drivers below. Compare these drivers on the DVD with the ones on the motherboard manufacturer's website support page for that motherboard and only install the most recent driver in each case. If you're using the motherboard's website, download the driver installation zip file to a new folder you create on the hard drive called 'driver-install-files' or a similar name. Double click on each installation zip file to extract files and then click the application file called setup or install or something similar. If during installation you get a message that a newer version of any driver is already installed don't install the older version.

Chipset driver
VGA driver
HD Audio driver
LAN driver
Any other Intel drivers for Intel platform motherboards
Any other AMD drivers for AMD platform motherboards

For Windows 10 - Install utilities and update antivirus software

Again from the motherboard CD or website install any utilities you might like. This is optional and some useless utilities should be avoided.
In Windows 10, check if any anti-virus program is installed with the operating system, or install a third party one.

For Windows 10 - Updates

In Windows, use Windows Update to download and install all security fixes and software patches for the OS.
Install monitor driver for your monitor if Windows update does not install it for you, and also keyboard and mouse drivers if needed for certain keyboards and mice.

For Windows 10 - Install software programs

Download and install latest version of Firefox and Adobe Reader from their respective websites.

Overclocking!

The Dream PC CPU has an unlocked multiplier which means overclocking is a breeze. Overclocking can turn a fast CPU into an extreme CPU for no additional cost! Go into the BIOS or UEFI, go to the OC or Overclock menu, change CPU Ratio to 40, save and exit the BIOS or UEFI. Guess what you've just got a 4.0 GHz CPU! Overclocking this way without changing CPU voltages is an easy way to go, how easy was that. You miss out on some additional overclocking potential by not increasing the CPU voltage but it keeps the CPU running less hot when you keep the CPU at stock voltage.
If you find the system is unstable at an overclocked frequency, that is the PC crashes, keep reducing the CPU Ratio by one or more till the PC is stable again. On the other hand if the PC is stable for a while and you want to push it, you could increase the CPU Ratio by one and see if it's stable and then try again. Don't go beyond 42 or at an extreme 44. If your computer ever gets to the point it doesn't boot reset CMOS when the PC is off to return it to the BIOS or UEFI default values.
If you're using a different CPU and want to overclock, if it has an unlocked multiplier and a motherboard BIOS or UEFI which gives you the ability to overclock, you'll have to figure out how much you can overclock by trial and error as above. It's safer to always start low, just one above the default CPU Ratio and work up from there till you hit the overclocking maximum and then back off from there a bit for stability. If the CPU doesn't have an unlocked multiplier but you have a motherboard BIOS or UEFI with overclocking ability it can still be potentially overclocked, by changing the external clock speed, in a similar trial and error method. Again remember to change the external clock in small increments.
Overclocking is worth it but should be done carefully to minimize any risk of damage to the CPU. Overclocking removes warranties on the CPU and potentially the motherboard.

Even more testing

Play music CD and DVD movie to test (Windows 10 doesn't have an included DVD player at product launch, Linux has more than one). Insert flash drive or other USB device into USB port(s) to test. Done!

Pack

Wipe case with a paper towel. Place case in plastic bag and encase sides with foam packing recycled from original packing. Then place in original box along with the following parts, CDs/DVDs, documents and manuals and seal the box with shipping tape.

CurrentBuild
Sense PC

With Linux or Windows 10 Installed

Parts

Power supply cord
Extra screws
Extra 5.25 drive bay case cover
CPU socket plastic cap

Documents, manuals and drivers

CPU Processor documentation
Memory documentation
Motherboard drivers CD/DVD
Motherboard manual
Case documentation
Video card drivers CD if installed
Video card drivers documentation if installed
PSU documentation

Linux DVD or Microsoft Windows 10 DVD

Linux DVD or Windows 10 DVD
Linux password

Packaging from component manufacturers

Ship

Your computer is ready! See told you it was easy! Let us know what you think or just leave a comment below. Thanks.

Recent updates to PC assembly instructions

Aug 7, 2015. Now installing Ubuntu 14.04.3 LTS 64 bit Desktop.
July 22, 2015. Now installing Linux Mint 17.2 Rafaela MATE 64 bit.
May 14, 2015. Updated dual boot installation instructions.
December 11, 2014. Added mini PC assembly instructions.
October 23, 2014. Added optional dual boot installation instructions.
October 10, 2014. Added overclocking instructions.

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How to dual boot Linux and Windows - Step by step installation instructions

If you want a PC where you can use both Linux and Windows, a dual boot PC using one hard drive, follow the steps below. Don't forget to back up your data on external storage before proceeding.
A note on UEFI mode compared to legacy BIOS mode for booting an operating system. Use UEFI mode as your first preference for booting both operating systems, it's the new and current standard, more advanced and better. Current Linux and Windows versions and motherboards support UEFI mode. If however one operating system is or has to be installed in legacy BIOS mode then both should be in legacy BIOS mode.

If you already have Windows installed

If you already have Windows installed and want to add Linux you'll have to do the following additional steps. If you're starting with a blank hard drive skip these steps.

If there's not enough available unallocated space on the hard drive to install Linux you will need to shrink the Windows largest partition. For Windows Vista and later Windows versions you can do that from within Windows disk management program. For Windows XP use GParted a disk partition program run from a Linux Live DVD. If GParted is not already on the Linux Live DVD you can add it from Software Manager or Software Center in Linux Mint or Ubuntu's Live DVD respectively, while booted from that Linux Live DVD.
After shrinking the Windows partition make sure you reboot once back into Windows so Windows automatically scans and registers the new smaller partition size. Don't miss this important reboot step.
Skip to Partition the hard drive to dual boot Linux and Windows step below to create the other partitions needed, then to Install Linux and Set the boot order steps.

If you already have Linux installed

If you already have Linux installed and want to add Windows you'll have to do the following additional steps. If you're starting with a blank hard drive skip these steps.

If there's not enough available unallocated space on the hard drive to install Windows, you will need to shrink the Linux largest partition, typically either root or home. If you had not previously used LVM (Logical Volume Manager) disk partitioning system to install your Linux OS, use GParted a disk partition program run from a Linux Live DVD to shrink the partition. If GParted is not already on the Linux Live DVD you can add it from Software Manager or Software Center in Linux Mint or Ubuntu's Live DVD respectively, while booted from that Linux Live DVD.
If you previously used LVM to install your Linux OS the ease and flexibility of LVM now reveals itself. For LVM, while booted from a Linux Live DVD use the simple to use graphical interface program system-config-lvm to shrink your root or home logical volume. Then with the same program reduce the volume group that the root or home logical volume is in. To get system-config-lvm add it from Software Manager or Software Center in Linux Mint or Ubuntu's Live DVD respectively, while booted from that Linux Live DVD.
If system-config-lvm doesn't allow you to reduce the volume group it may be because the swap logical volume is at the end of the volume group with the newly created unallocated space between the reduced root or home logical volume and swap. In this case use system-config-lvm to remove and then recreate the same swap logical volume. This time it should be created with no gap before it, and system-config-lvm will be able to reduce the volume group. To recreate the same swap logical volume, give it the same size and name as before and format it as swap.
After making these changes make sure you reboot once back into Linux checking to see Linux starts as usual. If you removed and recreated the swap logical volume you may need to reformat the swap logical volume as swap. Check if your swap is active by typing in a terminal 'swapon -s'. If you get a response with your swap size your swap is active. If not then in a terminal type 'sudo mkswap name-of-your-swap-logical-volume'. Then check your swap again.
Skip to Partition the hard drive to dual boot Linux and Windows step below to create the other partitions needed, then to Install Windows and Set the boot order steps. Note, when you install Windows after Linux, Windows may gobble up the Linux boot loader especially when Windows is installed in legacy BIOS mode, so you may need to repair the Linux boot loader. So after completing the step 'Install Windows' below you may need to come back here and do a Linux boot repair.

If you're starting with a blank hard drive

If you're starting with a blank hard drive follow the steps below to install Windows first and Linux second. This order of OS installation makes the job simpler.

Partition the hard drive to dual boot Linux and Windows

Boot the PC from the Linux Live DVD. A Live DVD just means you can run an OS from it without having to install it on your hard drive. Installing the OS on to the hard drive is an option from a Live DVD, but don't do that at this step. The Linux Mint and Ubuntu installation DVD's we create on this page are Live DVDs.
We're assuming it's a 1 TB blank hard drive and you want to use half for Windows and half for Linux. You could plan proportionately for a different capacity hard drive. You need the two programs GParted and system-config-lvm, both graphical interface programs for the following steps. If GParted is not already on the Linux Live DVD you should add it and system-config-lvm from Software Manager or Software Center in Linux Mint or Ubuntu's Live DVD respectively, while booted from that Linux Live DVD.
Using GParted from the Linux Live DVD:
- Create the hard drive's file system partition table as 'GPT', this gives you the potential of creating up to 128 primary partitions. That's great for installing more Linux distros if you want at a later time, for a multi-boot computer. GPT is the current better standard for a partition table replacing MBR or msdos partitioning table. Only use MBR or msdos partitioning table if you're using an older computer that does not support UEFI boot mode, or dual installing a Windows 32 bit version earlier than Windows 8, or a 64 bit version of Windows earlier than Windows Vista. Linux fully supports GPT.
- Create an approx. 550 MB primary partition, which will be the EFI boot partition for the preferred and current UEFI mode to boot operating systems, label it 'efi' and format it with file system FAT32. After creating this partition, flag it as boot. During Linux installation select manual partitioning, then select this partition by double clicking on it, and use this partition type as EFI boot partition. Skip this step if you are installing both operating systems in legacy BIOS mode.
- Create an approx. 462 GB primary partition, where you will install Windows in a step below, label it 'windows' and format it with file system ntfs. Select the boot flag only if you are installing Windows in legacy BIOS mode. For UEFI mode the EFI boot partition should be the only partition with a boot flag.
- Create an approx. 1 GB primary partition, where Linux boot files will go, label it 'boot' and format it with file system ext2. Select the boot flag only if you are installing Linux in legacy BIOS mode. For UEFI mode the EFI boot partition should be the only partition with a boot flag. During Linux installation select manual partitioning, then select this partition by double clicking on it, use and format this partition again with file system ext2 and mount it at /boot.
- Create an approx. 461 GB primary partition, a LVM physical volume where we will create a volume group and logical volumes root and swap in steps below where Linux will be installed. Label this partition 'lvm2' and format it as type 'lvm2 pv'. If you used a MBR or msdos partitioning table, this should be a logical partition to save on the number of primary partitions since MBR or msdos only allows 4 primary partitions, or 3 primary partitions and 1 extended partition. Note that the partitions efi, windows and boot are not LVM partitions, only the root and swap partitions we create below are LVM partitions.
- Make sure you have at least 1 MB of unallocated space at the end of the drive
Using system-config-lvm from the Linux Live DVD:
- Create a volume group 'mint-vg' that uses the physical volume 'lvm2' above. It's self explanatory how to do this in system-config-lvm's graphical interface. Use default values where they are provided.
- Create an approx. 457 GB logical volume inside the volume group 'mint-vg', where Linux OS, application and data files will go. Name it 'root', format it with file system ext4, set it to mount when rebooted, and select the mount point to be /. During Linux installation select manual partitioning, then select this partition by double clicking on it, use and format this partition again with file system ext4 and mount it at /.
- Create an approx. 4 GB logical volume inside the volume group 'mint-vg'. Name it 'swap' and format it with file system none. During Linux installation select manual partitioning, then select this partition by double clicking on it, use this partition again with file system swap area. Note the size of this swap partition is equal to the size of the physical memory in your PC.
Exit the Linux Live DVD.

Install Windows

Install Windows first in the primary partition labelled 'windows' created above, from a Windows installation DVD, following all the steps given on this page for installing Windows.

Install Linux

With regard to where to install Linux make sure during Linux installation you don't choose the option to erase the hard disk and install the Linux as the only OS wiping out your Windows installation and all the partitions we have just created. Choose 'Something else' or 'Manual partitioning' in the Linux installer. You will now see all the partitions you created above. Check all partition sizes, labels, file system types and that formatting, mount points and flags as detailed above are/will be done before installing Linux. Install Linux next from the Linux Live DVD following all the steps given on this page for installing Linux.

Set the boot order

After both the operating systems have been installed, in the BIOS or UEFI, set the boot order first to the UEFI Linux OS on the hard drive, if you have used UEFI mode. If you have used legacy BIOS mode set the boot order first to the Linux OS on the hard drive. When you start the PC, the Linux boot loader GRUB 2 will then offer you the choice of which OS, Linux or Windows, to load.
You can also edit the Linux boot loader file to make any changes to the default boot settings.
You now have a dual boot PC!

Instructions to assemble a Mini PC

The difference in the assembly of a mini PC is that because it's so small, you may have to change the order of a few steps so that an installed part does not block the installation of another.
Change the order of the following steps. Follow these brief instructions in addition to the more detailed instructions for the same steps under assembling a standard size PC. These instructions are for the Sense mini PC, if you have a custom mini PC the order of steps may vary again. Use your best judgement and proceed, it's pretty straight forward.

Remove 2 screws at the back of the case, remove case panel cover.
Remove case front panel.
Remove HD/SSD/DVD cage by unscrewing 4 screws.
Insert HDD (or see next point if you're planning to use a SSD instead) in the HDD/SSD/DVD drive cage's top 3.5 inch drive bay. Insert with the drive resting on the ledges in the bay, label side up, outputs facing far side away from case fan, align drive screw holes with drive bay screw holes. Fasten HDD to drive cage with 3 screws on each side. Note, on the screws provided with case - use the biggest head screws for the motherboard, next smaller size for the HDD and the smallest for the DVD.
If installing a SSD instead of a HDD, insert SSD drive in HDD/SSD/DVD drive cage's top 3.25 inch bay using a 2.5 inch to 3.5 inch adapter bracket. Insert label side up, outputs facing far side away from case fan, drive screw holes aligned with drive bay adapter screw holes. Fasten SSD to drive bay adapter and drive cage with 3 screws on each side.
Insert DVD in the HD/SSD/DVD drive cage's top 5.25 inch drive bay. The DVD drive's front should face out of the case. Fasten DVD to drive cage with 2 screws on each side.
Reinstall HD/SSD/DVD cage to case with 4 screws.
Install motherboard input output shield first, then install the motherboard with 4 screws. See details in section for installing motherboard in a standard size PC.
If your motherboard includes an embedded CPU with a heat sink, the CPU and heat sink installation step is completed as well! Otherwise, see details in section for installing CPU in a standard size PC.
Remove DVD cover plate from front panel, and replace front panel to case.
Complete the rest of the steps for assembly under assembling a standard size PC.

Note on BIOS or UEFI settings

If you can't get into the BIOS or UEFI using a USB keyboard, use a PS/2 keyboard.
Follow the rest of the BIOS or UEFI settings instructions for a standard size PC and the rest of the instructions to finish installing the OS.

CPU	Video card	Memory
Motherboard	Hard drive	DVD CD
Power supply	Case	OS
Speakers	Monitor	Linux