HOW TO INSTALL POWER SUPPLY
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Install into Housing. Power supply mount into housing. Locate mount within the housing and gently push the power supply into the mount and lock the hard drive into place.
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Acquire a power supply that will work for your computer.
The power supply is what powers all of the components inside of your computer. It will need to provide enough power so that all of the components can function properly. It will also need to have the correct connectors for your hardware.
• Make sure that the wattage of the power supply is sufficient for the hardware you have installed. The CPU and the graphics card will draw the most power. If the power supply is not sending out enough power, your computer may run sluggishly or not at all.
• Modern hard drives and optical drives require SATA connectors for power. All modern power supplies have these connectors.
• Some of the more powerful video cards require two PCI-E connectors. Make sure that your power supply can accommodate everything that you need to connect.
• Some cases have non-standard housings for power supply. Ensure that the power supply you purchase will fit in the case. ATX cases should work with all ATX power supplies, and mATX cases will need a mATX power supply.
The power supply is an often overlooked aspect of building or troubleshooting a computer, but is critical to the proper functioning of the machine. It needs to provide enough power to run all of the components you have installed.
How to Install Power Supply
Most housings allow you to slide the power supply in, and it will usually only fit one way. Make sure that any fans on the power supply are not blocked, and that you can screw it in from the back with all four screws. If you can’t, then the power supply may be inserted incorrectly.
Mount the power supply securely with all four screws before moving on. You can use standard ATX case screws if the power supply didn’t come with any.
Connect Power 20/24 pin connector and 4-pin connector to the motherboard.
Connect the 20/24 pin connector to the motherboard. This is the largest connector on the power supply. Most modern motherboards require the 24-pin connector, while older motherboards will only use the first 20 pins. Some power supplies have a detachable 4-pin connector to make connecting old motherboards easier.
Connect the 12V power to the motherboard. Older motherboards use a 4-pin connector, while newer ones use an 8-pin. This powers the processor, and should be clearly marked on the cable or in your power supply’s documentation.
Installing and wiring a power supply can seem a little daunting, but as long as you ensure that everything is properly connected and that you have enough wattage, you shouldn’t run into many issues.
