Full PC Assembly
Watch the full physical build if you want to see the pace, hand placement, and order of operations.
Build Guide
Build your PC without guessing.
A beginner-friendly Atlas walkthrough, split into practical chapters so you can build, check, boot, and install Windows without scrolling through a wall of instructions.
01Workspace ready
02Core parts
03Case install
04Power check
05Windows
Motherboard Explained
A quick breakdown of the board so the labels, slots, headers, and cables feel less mysterious.
The Build
Four chapters. Ten physical steps.
The page is still complete, but it is now broken into sections you can actually use while building. On mobile, each step becomes a clean card with the image first.
Chapter 01
Build the motherboard outside the case.
CPU, RAM, and storage are easiest to install while the motherboard is still flat on the table.
01
Install the CPU
Carefully place the CPU into the socket, matching the triangle on the chip to the triangle on the socket. Gently lower the retention arm to lock it in place.
Match the tiny triangle first. Never force the chip.
02
Install RAM
Align the notch on the RAM stick with the slot and press down firmly until both clips snap into place.
Use the recommended slots from your motherboard manual.
03
Install the M.2 SSD
Insert the M.2 SSD at an angle into the slot, then press it down and secure it with the mounting screw.
Remove the plastic film from any heatsink thermal pad.
Chapter 02
Move the core into the case.
Mount the board, add paste, and lock down the cooler before the system gets crowded.
04
Place the motherboard in the case
Lay the motherboard into the case, aligning it with the standoffs and rear I/O. Secure with screws provided by your case.
Check that every standoff lines up before tightening screws.
05
Apply thermal paste
Apply a small dot or an "X" of thermal paste to the center of the CPU. Do not overdo it. A little goes a long way.
Too much paste makes a mess. Too little hurts cooling.
06
Install the CPU cooler
Mount your CPU cooler on top of the CPU, securing it with the included brackets or screws. Attach the cooler's fan cable to the CPU_FAN header.
CPU_FAN is the header that matters for first boot.
Chapter 03
Add GPU and power cables.
This is where most first-boot problems happen, so the cable checklist matters.
07
Install the graphics card
Insert the graphics card into the top PCIe slot until it clicks. Secure with screws at the case bracket. Connect PCIe power cables from the PSU to the GPU if needed.
Plug your monitor into the GPU, not the motherboard.
08
Install and connect the PSU
Install the power supply in the case. Plug the 24-pin ATX cable into the motherboard, the 8-pin CPU cable into the top of the board, and PCIe cables into your GPU. Plug in SATA power for drives if needed.
24-pin motherboard, 8-pin CPU, and GPU power are the big three.
Chapter 04
Airflow, cable cleanup, and first boot.
Make it tidy enough, connect display to the GPU, and get ready for software setup.
09
Position case fans
Install your case fans so airflow goes front-to-back and bottom-to-top. Plug each fan into SYS_FAN or CHA_FAN headers on the motherboard.
Front and bottom usually intake. Rear and top usually exhaust.
10
Cable management
Organize the wires in the back using zip ties, velcro ties, or twist ties. This is not mastered on the first try, so do not worry if it is not perfect.
Clean enough to close the side panel is a win.
First Boot
Before you press power.
Most first-build problems come from one loose cable or the display plugged into the wrong port. Check these before troubleshooting anything complicated.
Monitor plugged into the graphics card
24-pin motherboard cable fully seated
8-pin CPU power connected near the top of the board
CPU cooler plugged into CPU_FAN
RAM clicked into the recommended slots