Buzz
Today, Mytour will guide you through installing a power supply for a Windows desktop PC. The power supply's job is to distribute electrical power from the socket to the computer's components. Note: If your computer is pre-assembled, you won’t need to install the power supply yourself, but you may need to replace it if it malfunctions.
Steps
Find the right power supply for your computer. The type of power supply you need depends on your case size and motherboard. Therefore, you’ll need to know your motherboard model to determine the correct power supply. Typically, you can buy power supplies from tech stores or online platforms like Shopee or Lazada.
- Make sure to double-check that the power supply you buy is suitable for your region. Power supplies made for the European market operate on different voltage settings compared to those designed for Asia, specifically Vietnam.
Prepare your tools. At a minimum, you will need a screwdriver (usually a Phillips head) to open your case. The power supply is typically located on the right side of the CPU case when viewed from the back. You may also need a different screwdriver depending on the screws that come with the power supply. Check the screws that come with it to see if another tool is necessary.
Ground Yourself. This step is essential to prevent static electricity from accidentally damaging the internal components of your computer.
- You can purchase an anti-static wristband to ground yourself during this process.
Open the case. This will allow you to access the internal components of the computer.
Position the case at an angle with the components facing up.
Adjust the power supply voltage switch. If your power supply has a voltage switch, set it to 110v or 115v. This ensures the power supply will deliver sufficient power without damaging the connected components.
- Not all power supplies have a voltage switch. The ones without it are usually pre-set with voltage standards based on the market they are intended for.
Locate the power supply installation position. The computer power supply (PSU) is typically found at the top of the CPU case. This is why the power cord is usually plugged into the top rear of the case.
- Refer to the computer’s manual to find the exact location of the power supply, or look for a rectangular cutout on the rear of the case.
- If you are removing an old power supply, the power cord at the rear of the case can help you identify the power supply position.
Install the power supply. The power supply typically has a "rear" side with visible ports and a fan, as well as a "bottom" side with a fan on it. The "rear" side faces the back of the case, while the "bottom" side faces the internal components of the CPU case.
- If you are replacing an old one, start by removing the existing power supply from the computer.
Tighten the screws to secure the power supply in place. After positioning the "rear" of the power supply towards the back of the case, tighten the accompanying screws to fix it into place.
- Many CPU cases have a dedicated compartment for the power supply.
Connect the power supply to the motherboard. Locate the main power connector on the power supply (usually the largest connector) and plug it into the long rectangular port on the motherboard, then plug the secondary power cable into the motherboard.
- Not all systems require the secondary power cable, as it depends on both the power supply and motherboard.
- The power supply to motherboard cable usually has a 20 or 24-pin connector.
Connect the power supply to other components in the computer. Use smaller cables to connect the power supply to the hard drive, CD drive, and graphics card. Additionally, if there are other components (such as lighting systems), be sure to connect them to the power supply as well.
Close the case and reconnect the cables. Reattach the rear panel of the case, place the PC case back into position, then reconnect all peripheral devices (monitor, mouse, keyboard, etc.) and plug the system back into the power source.
Power on the computer. If the cables and power supply are correctly connected, the power supply fan should start spinning, and the computer will boot up as usual. If you hear a “beep” but the computer remains unresponsive, there might be an issue with the connections or the power supply may not be providing enough power to the components.
Tips
- ALWAYS use the cables that come with the new power supply. NEVER reuse cables from an old power supply as this could damage the motherboard.
- The connections between the power supply and internal components should be snug, but not overly tight.
- You may have some leftover cables once you’ve installed and connected the power supply to the components inside the computer.
Warnings
- Be aware: power supplies contain capacitors that can retain charge even after the power is turned off. Never open the power supply or insert any metal objects into the ventilation holes, as you could risk electric shock.
- Make sure to hold the power supply steady when removing screws. The torque from tightening the screws could affect the remaining ones.
