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CPU and Memory
You'll definitely want to take all necessary anti-static precautions before you touch these guys. If your CPU or memory is fried, your PC won't even boot.

Place the CPU

1. Remove your CPU from its safety wrapper and find the CPU slot/socket on the mb. If you can't find it, consult the mb's instructions.

2. Line up the CPU with the slot/socket. They only fit one way, so make sure you have them lined up correctly, or you could break off the connectors.

3. Gently but firmly place your CPU into the slot/socket. Some have a lever that locks the CPU into place; some just snap right in.

Place the memory
Insert your memory into the memory slots. Since all memory is physically keyed, you can't put them in backward. They usually snap right in and require only gentle force.

Heatsink/fan
All modern PC processors require some sort of cooling. Most processors ship with a heatsink/fan combo; lower-power processors ship with just a heatsink. When placing the heatsink on the processor, don't skip these two steps:

1. Ensure that your processor is properly installed.

2. Place thermal grease on top of the processor. The grease will ensure the best thermal conduction to the unit.

If your processor is no faster than a Pentium or AMD-equivalent processor, you install the fan/heatsink combo by slipping one end around a tab jutting out from the socket and then slipping the other end around the other tab located on the opposite side. The spring used to keep the fan/heatsink in place is usually pretty stiff. Be careful not to exert too much force.

For Pentium 4 and AMD processors, the heatsink/fan combination is so large you need to install a bracket around the processor/socket. Sometimes the bracket can be a single unit, but most retail processors come with a two-piece system. Install the bracket first. Brackets usually come with a screw that attaches them to the board. Once the bracket is in place, install the fan/heatsink combo.

All done
You now have your processor & memory installed

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Contiued
Install Your Hard Drive & DVD-R
AGP, PCI and ISA Cards
Final Steps