Do you guys install the mobo first, then the components, or the the other way around?

[ManBearPig]

Eh?

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Motherboard first. Just make sure your CPU mounting hardware is mounted on the back of the motherboard before screwing it down.

 

[BoomerD]

I install the CPU and cooler on the motherboard, put one stick of RAM in it's slot, install the video card, then connect enough PSU cables to test fire it.
If that works, I install the rest of the RAM and try again...if that works, I connect my optical drive and try again.

If, during each step, I'm able to boot into the bios, I disconnect the cables, remove the video card, and install the motherboard into the case, reinstall the video card, start running the PSU cables for cable management, connect everything, and fire it up.

 

[Belegost]

Depends on the case, but for most cases, I like to do things in this order:

PSU first
Optical and hard drives
Outside the case install CPU, heatsink and ram
Depending on the case and motherboard it's sometimes better to plugin the 4pin power before putting the motherboard in the case, otherwise you're stuck trying to fit your hand between the hsf and the top of the case or the PSU.
With motherboard in, route sata, front panel, and motherboard power
Video card goes in last so its not in the way when routing cables.

For the newer cases with openings under the motherboard tray it can be easier to install the hsf in side the case.

 

[BrightCandle]

I build the machine on a table first, get it posting and confirm all the RAM is appearing to work etc. Once the new parts are confirmed basically working then I'll install the CPU and cooler into the motherboard along with the RAM and then put that into the case. Then I do the rest in random orders depending on the case and which parts are new and old and if there is an order I need to use because of the case design.

I have to do the initial test because I then replace all the cooling with water. I need to make sure before I go through the not insubstantial effort of replacing the cooling that it does actually work as shipped so I know if I broke it rather than it coming faulty.

 

[mfenn]

I mount the CPU and RAM to the mobo first and then do a quick smoke test with the board outside of the case. Then I mount the mobo, do the front panel connectors (easiest to do these before you get a bunch of wires in the way), PSU, drives, and finally any expansion cards.

 

[ManBearPig]

you guys mount the cpu cooler on the motherboard outside the case?

 

[BoomerD]

you guys mount the cpu cooler on the motherboard outside the case?

Sure...why not? You have more room to work, can get to the back of the board for back plate assembly or to check push-pins if you use that type of cooler, and since I prefer to do a test build outside the case anyway...

 

[ManBearPig]

Sure...why not? You have more room to work, can get to the back of the board for back plate assembly or to check push-pins if you use that type of cooler, and since I prefer to do a test build outside the case anyway...

just watched a video for installation of a 3rd party cooler and youre definitely right. no way i could install a 212+ inside the case...though itd make me nervous holding the mobo with that behemoth attached.

 

[mfenn]

just watched a video for installation of a 3rd party cooler and youre definitely right. no way i could install a 212+ inside the case...though itd make me nervous holding the mobo with that behemoth attached.

Nah, the mobo is much stronger than you think. In fact, I tend to use the HSF as a handle when mounting the mobo in the case. :twisted:

 

[Charlie98]

Nah, the mobo is much stronger than you think. In fact, I tend to use the HSF as a handle when mounting the mobo in the case. :twisted:

That ^^^^

 

[Spikesoldier]

Nah, the mobo is much stronger than you think. In fact, I tend to use the HSF as a handle when mounting the mobo in the case. :twisted:

me too. when i remove a mainboard, its like grabbing its 'head' and ripping it out lol.

i dont think i can do that with my current rig though, the noctua nh-d14 needs to be detached first because its too large.

 

[greenhawk]

for me, drives and power supply into case.

Then cpu/cooler onto motherboard, then RAM.

Motherboard into case,

Add addon cards/video then.

 

[bigboxes]

Nah, the mobo is much stronger than you think. In fact, I tend to use the HSF as a handle when mounting the mobo in the case. :twisted:

Me too.

 

[sandorski]

CPU, Heatsink, RAM, then mount the mobo to the Case. Then add everything else. If it's a complete Build, Power Supply first.

 

[GrumpyMan]

CPU, Heatsink, RAM, then mount the mobo to the Case. Then add everything else. If it's a complete Build, Power Supply first.

Yup, me too.

 

[Puppies04]

CPU, Heatsink, RAM, then mount the mobo to the Case. Then add everything else. If it's a complete Build, Power Supply first.

Same here.

 

[sm625]

I install the CPU and cooler on the motherboard, put one stick of RAM in it's slot, install the video card, then connect enough PSU cables to test fire it.
If that works, I install the rest of the RAM and try again...if that works, I connect my optical drive and try again.

This is what I do as well, except I usually just install both sticks of ram the first try. But I always do some sort of pre-test before screwing anythign down inside the case. Been burned too many times by skipping that step.

 

[piasabird]

I install the RAM and the CPU/COOLER before I place the motherboard into the case. Sometimes there is limited room and limited light inside a computer.

 

[Zap]

I usually install the CPU, CPU cooler, RAM, graphics card and PSU outside the case to make sure it will at least POST before installing into the case.

 

[zCypher]

I usually install the CPU, CPU cooler, RAM, graphics card and PSU outside the case to make sure it will at least POST before installing into the case.

This right here.

 

[PingSpike]

I only ever install the CPU and cooler (this is often required for some cooler types) outside of the case, and sometimes the ram. Very rarely I'll plug the motherboard headers in if they're hard to read. After that I put it in the case and if its an upgrade I just plug all the cables in and start it up. I used to do the one piece at a time thing but I found that I usually do not have a problem and its more efficient to bet on winning then it is to bet on losing on the first start up. In other words, I fall back to the one stick of ram and video card thing only if my first shot doesn't boot.

Never button the case up on the first try though. It angers the gods and they'll unplug a power cable forcing you to reopen it after it fails to boot.

 

[Redshirt 24]

The CPU always goes on the board before it ever goes in the case. The board then goes in, followed by the HSF and RAM, then cable hookups (which usually includes the boot and optical drives) and a video card, and on everything goes for a test POST and/or OS install. Only after that do I reconnect any secondary drives, and after that any other components get installed. It's slow, but it's straightforward and nothing gets too confusing.

 

[pcgeek11]

CPU, Heatsink, RAM, then mount the mobo to the Case. Then add everything else. If it's a complete Build, Power Supply first.

This. And the heat sink makes an excellent handle.

 

[911paramedic]

you guys mount the cpu cooler on the motherboard outside the case?

Hell yes, when I can. I had a case many years ago where the entire tray slid out, that was such an easy build. After you mount the motherboard to your case and then find out there is some cooler hardware that you need on the back, you will always mount those first and outside of the case.