The order we assemble a PC in, and why it matters

If you are building your first machine, sequence saves you more grief than any tool. This is roughly the order our workshop follows.

Bench the core before it goes in the case

Processor, cooler, memory and boot drive go onto the motherboard while it is still on the desk, outside the case. Connect the power supply and a display, and confirm the machine posts. Finding a problem here takes minutes. Finding the same problem after everything is mounted and cabled takes an hour.

Update the BIOS before you commit

Newer processors on an older board often need a firmware update to post at all. Most current boards can flash without a processor installed. Doing this at the bench stage, before the board is mounted, avoids a frustrating dead-end.

Cables go in before the board does

Route the power supply cables and the front panel cables through the case first, while you still have room to reach behind the tray. Once the motherboard and graphics card are in, the space behind them disappears.

Then the board, then storage, then the card

Mount the motherboard, fit any additional drives, and install the graphics card last. It is the biggest and most fragile component and it blocks access to the slots underneath it.

First boot is a checklist, not a moment

Enable the memory profile. Check the fan curve. Confirm the drive is detected in the right mode. Watch the temperatures under a short load. Install the chipset and graphics drivers before anything else. We run every build through this checklist and a stress test before it leaves the counter.

Or bring the parts to us

If you have bought parts elsewhere and would rather not do this yourself, we assemble and test customer-supplied components too. Bring everything to Sector 15-C.