There are 13 simple steps that you should follow when building your own computer. Follow these steps and your build should be pretty simple.
Step 1: Preparing the case.Remove the empty computer case from its packaging. Unscrew and remove both side panels, and take out any items that may be inside. Lay the case down flat on your workspace, so that the mounting space for the motherboard is facing up.
Step 2: Installing motherboard risers. You need to determine if the case has the appropriate risers installed. Risers, or spacers, keep the motherboard from touching the metal surfaces of the case after it is installed, avoiding a short-circuit and a wrecked computer. Risers are your friends. Any new case will include some form of riser, metal or plastic. Remove your motherboard from its packaging and lower it into the case. Line up the ports on the motherboard (PS/2, USB, etc.) with the appropriate holes in the back panel I/O shield of the case. Once the board is temporarily in place, observe which screw holes in the case line up with the holes in the motherboard. These are where you will need to place risers if they are not already pre-installed. Remove the motherboard and insert the risers in the appropriate screw holes. Step 3: Installing the CPUPlace your motherboard flat on top of the anti-static bag it came in. Ensure that the lever on the cpu-socket is upright (open). Holding the CPU gently on the sides with thumb and fingers, lower it into the socket, ensuring that the arrow on the CPU matches the arrow indented into the socket (see pic below). The processor is keyed to fit into the socket a certain way, and only that way. Very little effort should be required to insert the CPU in the socket. If you cannot get the CPU to sit evenly DO NOT force it. Remove it completely and try again. Ensure that the CPU is sitting flush with the socket on all sides. No pins should be visible. Once you are sure the CPU is correctly seated in the socket, lower the lever until it locks. This will require a small amount of force.
Step 4: Installing the heat sink and cooling fanMake sure the 2 levers on the top of the heat sink are in their default unlocked position. Since Intel processors come with a heatsink, installation is pretty straight forward. Even things like thermal interface materials (pastes, pads, or goo's) are already pre-applied for you.
Lower the heat sink gently into the plastic frame around the processor so that the heatsink metal sits evenly on all sides. Push down on the plastic top of the heatsink until the hooks on each side lock into the heatsink retention mechanism frame on the motherboard. This will require some force. Holding one side of the heat sink securely, pull the lever on the other side over until it locks. Again, this will require some force. Repeat the procedure for the other lever. Consult your motherboard manual for the locations of the three-pin fan headers. There should be one close to the CPU socket. Plug the fan power cord into that header.
Step 5: Installing RAMAll modern RAM (memory) is keyed so it can only fit into the DIMM slots a certain way. With modern motherboards, it should not matter which slot you use, though if they are numbered in the manual or on the board, it is always a good idea to go with slot one first. Hold the RAM module next to the slot so that the indentation(s) on the green PCB line up with the bumps in the slot.
Once you are certain of the orientation of your RAM, open the levers on either side of the DIMM slot and push the RAM module straight down into the slot until both levers snap closed on either side. This will require some force. If it does not seem to be going in with a moderate amount of force, remove the module and re-insert it, making sure that it is exactly lined up with the keyed points in the slot. Installed properly, the levers on the sides of the DIMM slots will be completely closed and locked into small cutouts on the outer edges of the RAM module.
tep 6: Installing the MotherboardEnsure that the motherboard mounting area in the case is free of obstructions and that all necessary risers have been installed in the right spots. If there is an extra riser that does not line up with a hole in the motherboard, make sure you remove it. Lower the board into the case as in step 2. Screw the motherboard into the risers. Note that some forms of risers will not require screws to be used. You can figure it out. Once the board has been securely attached, plug in the 24 or 20-pin main ATX power connector.Plug the 4-pin 12V auxiliary power, and 6-pin power connectors in also. Note: some motherboards may not require the 6-pin connector at all. Consult your motherboard manual for the correct locations of the 'front panel' power and reset button wires, the power and hard-drive LED wires and the speaker. Note that the power and hard-drive LED wires are sensitive to polarity, so they will only work one way around. In theory, positive and negative will be indicated on the board and the plugs... In practice, doubtful, so... trial and error. You will not cause any damage if you get it wrong, though, the LEDs will just not light up.
To continue click on the "how to build the system steps 7-13" link above