Grade

TLE - ICT
COMPUTER SYSTEMS SERVICING
QUARTER 2 – MODULE 4

PERSONAL COMPUTER ASSEMBLY

 Now that you have the skills in disassembling a personal computer, I believe that you are
ready to take another step of this module which is assembling a personal computer. All you need to
do is to follow the step by step procedures provided in this module.

PERSONAL COMPUTER ASSEMBLY

Step 1. Prepare your workplace
1. Take Inventory:
Before you start, take an inventory of your
parts. Do not begin assembling your computer
if you don't have everything you need. Begin
the step-by-step process once you are ready
with everything you need.
Figure 1. Take inventory of the Different Computer Parts
2. Make Space, Make Time:
Building a PC takes up space - about a dining room table worth. So make sure you have
plenty of working room and a few hours to proceed with
minimal interruption. Work on a flat, stable table top surface,
or bare floor, where you have room to layout all of the items.
3. Prepare Grounding Protection:
Use an inexpensive antistatic wrist strap. Make sure you
are wearing your antistatic wrist strap correctly (it does you
no good at all if you do not wear it!), and you are ready to
proceed. Look at Figure 2 for details.

Figure 2. Wearing the Anti- static Wrist Strap Correctly

4. Have the Drivers Ready:
Assuming you have another internet connected PC, download the latest drivers from the
vendors' websites for each component you will be installing. Sometimes drivers are updated
between the time the component was manufactured and the time you are installing it. It is always
best to have the latest. Copy them to a CD for easy access.
Step 2. Prepare the Motherboard
a. Great care should be taken when installing the
motherboard. First, take the board out of its packaging
and put it on top of the antistatic bag it came in (see
Figure 3). Remember, you always want to safeguard
your components from potentially hazardous static
electricity (wear your strap).
Figure 3. Motherboard in an Antistatic Bag

b. Before you secure the motherboard onto the PC

case/chassis, inspect it carefully for any visible defects.

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 c. Next, review the motherboard manual, to make sure you are familiar with the motherboard
layout and understand which socket is which. Manuals are extremely helpful, usually easy to
read, and include illustrations. Below you can find instructions on how to install the processor,
the heat sink and the memory modules on the motherboard. You should not place the
motherboard in the computer case until you are told to do so.
Step 3. Install the CPU
1. Use the unlocking mechanism to open the
CPU socket which is usually a lever.
2. Carefully line up the pins and place the chip
in its socket; it will fit only when oriented the
proper way. An arrow or a missing pin on one
corner of the chip will show you how to line
things up.
3. Align Triangular CPU and socket key marks
as shown in Figure 4.
4. Lower the lever to lock the CPU into place.

Figure 4. Install CPU

Step 4. Install the CPU Heat Sink
1. Follow the manufacturer's
directions to install the heat sink
and the fan that will cool the
processor. If you bought an OEM
CPU and a separate heat sink,
you may need to spread a thin
layer of the thermal grease that
came with the heat sink over the
chip to ensure proper transfer of
heat (some heat sinks come with
this grease already applied).
Figure 5. Install CPU Heat Sink
2. Attach the clip that holds the heat sink in place keeping in mind that it may require a fair
amount of force. Again, follow the instructions that came with the heat sink. They will show
you how to fit it correctly. If you are in doubt, you can visit the manufacturer's website for
more information.
3. Plug the CPU fan's power connector into
the proper connector on the motherboard.
Step 5. Install Memory (RAM Modules)
In order to install the memory modules,
insert them into the proper sockets (Figure 6) and
push down firmly but evenly until the clips on both
sides of the socket pop into place. If your
motherboard supports dual channel memory,
consult the user manual to determine which pairs
of RAM sockets you should use.

Figure 6. Install RAM Memory

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The motherboard and the CPU are the brain and nerve center of your PC, so selecting these
components is the most important decision you'll make.
Step 6. Place the motherboard into the case
1. Some PC cases have a removable motherboard tray. If yours does, remove the screws
holding it in place and pull it out of the case (Figure 7).
2. Note the pattern of the holes in your motherboard (Figure 8), and screw brass standoffs into
the motherboard tray or into the PC case in the correct locations (ALWAYS check the manual
and follow their instructions to the letter).

Figure 7. Remove Motherboard Tray

Figure 8. Screw Brass Standoffs Into the Motherboard
3. Check the layout of the sockets on the motherboard, and confirm that the ports on your
motherboard's back panel match the holes on the case's Input/Output (I/O) shield that is
installed in your case. If necessary, remove the old I/O shield by tapping it firmly a few times
with the butt-end of a screwdriver, and then replace it with the shield that came with the new
motherboard.
4. Carefully position the motherboard on top of the brass standoffs (Figure 10), line up all the
holes, and use the screws that accompanied the case to fasten down the motherboard. If you
are using a removable tray in your system, slide the tray and motherboard back into the case
and then secure the tray.

Figure 9 . Case’s I /O Shield

Figure 10. Mount the Motherboard

Step 7. Connect the Power Supply
Making the proper connections is crucial to successfully assembling your PC system. Fortunately,
manufacturers provide color-coded power cables and unique connector shapes to make the job easy.
1. First, plug the large ATX power connector (Figure 11) from your power supply into the
matching port on your motherboard. Look Figure X for details.
2. Locate the smaller, square processor power connector (Figure 12) (you cannot miss it - it is
the one sprouting the yellow and black wires) and attach it to the motherboard.

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 Note: your connector is usually located near the processor. As always, refer to your
motherboard's manual for the exact locations.
3. Use your motherboard user manual and find the description about front-panel connectors.

Figure 53 . Large ATX Connector

Figure 11. Connect the ATX Power in the Motherboard

Figure 12. Square Processor

Power Connector

NOTE:
You are going to be doing work that requires attention to detail and can be quite
frustrating if you do not go into it with the right attitude.
4. Attach each of the tiny leads from the power and reset switches (Figure 13), the hard-disk
activity lights, the PC speaker, and any front-panel USB and FireWire ports to the
corresponding pin on your motherboard. The needle-nose pliers are useful for manipulating
small pieces.

Figure 13. Connect the different Leads

Step 8. Install Graphics / Video Cards
1. Begin by removing the backplane cover from the AGP or PCI Express X16 slot (the metal
piece where the monitor connector will emerge) (Figure 14).

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 2. Install the graphics board in that slot, and then secure the card with a screw (Figure 15).

Figure 14. Remove the backplane cover Figure 15. Install the Graphics Board
Step 9. Install Internal Drives
Now it is time to install your drives. This is an easy process, but it requires attention to detail.
1. Make any necessary changes to jumpers on the drives before mounting them in the case. A
two-drive system (one or two SATA (Serial ATA- is a standard hardware interface for
connecting hard drives and CD/DVD drives to a computer) hard drives, plus one parallel ATA
(Advanced Technology Attachment) optical drive, for example) is easy to set up; the SATA
drives are jumper less, and the optical drive can be set as master on its own parallel ATA
channel. Many cases have removable drive rails or cages to house drives.
2. Use the included screws to attach your drives to the rails or cage, and slide them into the case.
For externally accessible drives such as a DVD recorder, you can save time by installing one
drive rail and sliding the drive in for a test fitting to make sure that its front is flush with the
case (Figure 16).
3. When the drives are installed, connect power and
data cables to each one. Parallel ATA drives use
wide, flat data cables that can be installed only in
the correct way. Floppy drives use a similar but
smaller cable; SATA drives use a thin, 1cm-wide
data cable. SATA drives use a new type of power
connector that many power supplies don't come
with. Fortunately, many motherboards ship with
adapters for converting a standard four-pin power
connector to a SATA power connector (Figure
17).

Figure 16. Attach your devices

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 Figure 17. Connect Power Connector
Step 10. Install the Add- in Cards
1. For each add-in card, you must
choose a free PCI slot.
2. Remove its backplane cover to
allow access from the rear of the
case.
3. Carefully position the card above
the slot, and press down firmly to
seat the card (Figure 18).
4. Secure the card with a screw.

Figure 18. Add- in Cards

Many motherboards have additional sound connectors or ports housed on small add-in
boards. Some of these plugs into slots on the motherboard; others screw into the back of the case in
place of slot covers. Usually the additional ports are not essential to your PC's operation. For example,
if you install a sound card, you do not need connectors to the motherboard's built-in sound chip. Check
your motherboard manual to determine what each of these boards does.

CONNECTING PERIPHERALS OF A PERSONAL COMPUTER

When attaching hardware and peripherals of the computer, ensure that they are connected
to the correct locations or ports. For example, some mouse and keyboard cables use the same type
of PS/2 connector. So, you must know first the different ports that can be found in the back panel of
the computer.
Steps in Connecting Peripherals of a PC
Step 1. Attach the monitor cable to the video port.
Step 2. Secure the cable by tightening the screws on the connector.
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 Step 3. Plug the keyboard cable into the PS/2 keyboard port.
Step 4. Plug the mouse cable into the PS/2 mouse port.
Step 5. Plug the USB cable into a USB port.
Step 6. Plug the network cable into the network port.
Step 7. Plug the power cable into the power supply.
After connecting all the cables into their proper places, the picture below should be the
appearance of the back panel of your PC.

Figure 19. Steps in Connecting Peripherals of a PC

I. Directions: Write the name

of the following computer
parts. Choose your answers
in the word bank.
1. _______________________
2. _______________________
3. _______________________
4. _______________________
5. _______________________
6. _______________________
7. _______________________
8. _______________________
9. _______________________
10. _______________________

Processor/CPU memory/RAM Hard Disk Drive

CPU fan system fan heat sink optical drive system case
Motherboard Power Supply Unit

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II. Directions: Rearrange the following procedures in their proper order. Use numbers to
indicate their order of precedence.

Personal Computer Assembly

___1. Connect the Power Supply ____6. Install the CPU
____2. Install Graphics / Video Cards ____7. Install the CPU Heat Sink
____3. Install Internal Drives ____8. Place the motherboard into the case
____4. Install Memory (RAM Modules) ____9. Prepare the Motherboard

____5. Install the Add- in Cards ____10. Prepare your workplace

III. Direction: Read and answer the given questions below.

1. Is it possible to install the RAM backwards? Why? (2 pts)
2. What is the purpose of a thermal paste? (3 pts)

Part I
Part II
1. Memory/RAM
1. 7
2. Motherboard
2. 9
3. Hard Disk Drive
3. 8
4. Optical Drive
4. 5
5. System fan
5. 3
6. Processor/CPU
6. 4
7. CPU fan
7. 6
8. Heat sink
8. 2
9. System case
9. 1
10. Power supply unit
10. 10

Part III

1. No, because the RAM has a notch that can only be installed one way.

2. To effectively transfer heat from the processor/CPU to the heat sink.

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Name: _____________________________________ Date: _____________
Grade/Section: _______________________________ Score: ____________

A. Completing the Diagram:

Directions: Complete the diagram below that shows the steps in Personal Computer Assembly.
Choose your answers inside the box below.

1. 4. 5. 8. 9.

2. 3. 6. 7. 10.

Prepare your workplace Install the Add- in Cards Install Memory (RAM Modules)
Prepare the Motherboard Install the CPU Install the CPU Heat Sink
Place the motherboard into the case Install Graphics / Video Cards Install Internal Drives
B. Situational:
Connect the Power Supply

Direction: Given the following situations, what will you do? Choose the best answer.
_____1. Your teacher asked you to prepare your workplace, what are the things that you need to do?
a. Take Inventory. c. Make space, make time.
b. Prepare Grounding Protection. d. All of the above.
_____ 2. While performing assembling your computer, your teacher reminded you to insert them into
the proper sockets and push down firmly but evenly until the clips on both sides of the socket
pop into place. What are you holding?
a. Hard drive b. motherboard c. memory modules d. power supply
_____3. You are connecting the power supply and you know that making the proper connections is
crucial to successfully assembling your PC system. You are doubting the connections that
you are making, what guides will help you finish the task?
a. color-coded power cables c. user manuals
b. unique connector shapes d. all of the above
_____4. When attaching hardware and peripherals of the computer, ensure that they are connected
to the correct locations or ports. Which is incorrectly attached?
a. USB cable to USB port c. keyboard cable to PS/2 mouse port
b. Network cable to network port d. monitor cable to video port
_____5. You are asked to use a thin 1-cm-wide data cable in installing internal drive. You will use….
a. Parallel ATA drives c. Hard drives
b. Floppy Drives d. SATA drives

C. PERFORMANCE Task: (10 pts.)

1. Create a video reciting by following the 10 steps in computer assembly. Assume that you
are an expert making a video tutorial for students.

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SCORING RUBRIC FOR THE PERFORMANCE TASK:

CRITERIA HIGHEST POSSIBLE 2 1

SCORE
Voice Quality 2 The voice quality of the The voice quality of the
student is good and student is not that
well-modulated. good and not pleasing
to the ears.
Body Language and 2 The student showed The student showed
Gestures body languages and unnecessary body
gestures that helped languages and
the delivery of the gestures that ruined
message intended for the delivery of the
which is a video message intended for
tutorial. which is a video
tutorial.
Likeability 2 The aura of the student The aura of the student
in the video tutorial is in the video tutorial is
likeable. not so likeable.
Video Editing 2 The tutorial video is The tutorial video is
superbly made. poorly made.
Audio and Video 2 The learner’s output is The learner’s output is
Quality audible and has a inaudible and the video
good video quality. quality is not so good.

References:
Technology and Livelihood Education – Grade 9
Learner’s Material
First Edition, 2013

Images used:
https://freepikpsd.com/evaluation-png-transparent-images-2/757419/
https://www.grammarly.com/blog/how-to-write-an-introduction/
https://www.vexels.com/png-svg/preview/157931/curved-check-mark-circle-icon
https://pixabay.com/illustrations/hands-holding-letters-red-task-2886016/
http://pngimg.com/download/38183

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