Installing the CPU & HSF: Inside or outside the case?

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I've read several DIY guides and these are the varying CPU & HSF installation method:

1) Outside the case, horizontally, onto the motherboard.
2) Inside the case, horizontally (the case lying on its side), onto the motherboard
3) Inside the case, vertically (the case standing upright), onto the motherboard.

Which method do you use. Which is most convenient, safest (to prevent cracking the MB with excessive pressure)?

 

[modedepe]

I do it outside before I install the motherboard, mainly because my cases don't have much room.

 

[kd2777]

I have a slide-out motherboard tray, so I put the motherboard in, the the cpu/HSF, other cards (Video/Audio), and then slide the tray in .

kd

 

[Monkey muppet]

I personnaly install the CPU, HSF, RAM outside, then place the MB on the edge of the case (with suitable protection on the underside) and wire up the front panel.

Then fit inside and do the rest

 

[MustISO]

I do the CPU,HSF and RAM outside the case, then install the mobo. Never had any issues.

 

[Philgag]

I always do mine outside the case, I find it more conveniant that way,

number 3 seems to me like a good way of making something easy really harder...


good luck

 

[MrControversial]

Some cases don't have a removable MB tray, but if yours does, take the tray out, install the MB, then put the proc and HSF on. Then you can put the whole rigamaroll back in the case. Unfortunately, with my case, I have to risk cuts and scrapes since the stupid tray doesn't come out.

 

[batmanuel]

Depends upon the processor and HSF.

If you are using a something like a Zalman CPNS7000 or 7700 on an Athlon 64 or LGA775 platform, you really have no other choice but to install the HSF unit on the mobo before you put it in the case, thanks to the backplate that is used to support the weight of the heatsink.

For socket A installs where I have a choise, I also usually mount the HSF before I install the mobo.

On the other hand, if you are installing a LGA 775 heatsink that uses the push pin mounting system that the stock Intel HSF units have, then you actually need to mount the motherboard in the case first and THEN install the HSF. The instruction manual that came with the Intel 915PBL board I got back in December was very adamant about doing it that way. Those LGA775 boards have a lot of little quirks like that which demand a bit of the old fashioned RTFM before you start putting things together.

(And that is post number 1K for me! Which was a lot of work, considering I've avoided pretty much kept myself away from OT).

 

[footbal07]

ive done both and it's definately easiest outside of the case, but without a removable mobo tray it can take some time to pull everything out and reinstall it.