With no unusual features and no graphics card, this is a build that even a novice should be able to complete. Clear some space, gather your components, and let’s get to work.

LENGTH OF TIME: 1-2 HOURS 

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: EASY

1 OPEN SESAME

THE LIAN LI LANCOOL II’S two tempered-glass panels are hinged at the rear but offer no visible handle or push-pins to open them. Instead it has two “wings’” forming the sides of the PSU shroud, which secure magnetically and are hinged at the base of the case. Open both of these using the small handles at the back of the case, swing open the glass side panels, and carefully lift them off their hinges. Replace them in the case box.

Don’t worry about removing the front panel as we’re not changing the pre-installed fan at the front, but remove the magnetic dust filter on the top. Finally, remove the two black metal cable shrouds on the rear of the mobo plate. These come off with a single thumbscrew each; set them aside for later.

2 PROCESSOR PROBLEMS

THE CPU SOCKETS on Intel motherboards are less beginnerfriendly than their AMD equivalents, but the CPU is still one of the easiest components to install. To open up the bracket, depress and release the metal retention arm from the clasp to the side of the socket, then lift it up so that the metal “teeth” at the end of the socket slide out from underneath the fixed screw and the entire bracket rises up. Drop the processor into the socket, lining it up correctly, then lower the bracket back into position, locking the teeth under the screw and pushing the retention arm back down beneath the clasp.

If your mobo is new, it will have a plastic cover affixed to the top of the bracket. It’ll pop off once you re-secure the bracket.