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Lets examine the parts that we will be using in this chapter. Figure 3-1 shows the motherboard, with nothing installed.

Figure 3-1: The Motherboard with Nothing Installed

You’re processor should have come with a CPU fan. If you did not purchase a processor with a CPU fan, you will need to purchase a CPU fan that is compatible with your processor. A processor will quickly overheat and become damaged, without a CPU fan. Figure 3-2 shows the CPU fan.

Figure 3-2: The CPU Cooling Fan

Your motherboard likely came with several accessory cables and a face plate. The additional items included with my motherboard are shown in Figure 3-3.

Figure 3-3: Cables and Accessories Provided by the Motherboard

We will install the processor before we mount the motherboard in the case. This will allow us to easily check underneath the motherboard to make sure the chip is properly inserted.

The examples here show how to insert a Intel Pentium 4. Other chips will be similar, but the exact way that the CPU fan connects to the motherboard will be different. Make sure you consult your processor’s instruction guide if you are unsure of how to install the processor.