Maximum PC's Build-Up a new PC article

[imported_Kiwi]

My prior PC-assembly experience predated the need for heat sinks anywhere near as large as are the norm these days. I'd last built a Pentium-I back before Win98 was released (I believe that was when, anyway). So I researched things, asked stuff here, etc. before starting the two recent (last summer) builds I've done now. And I attached the processors, then the hsf units, and then the RAM, before I mounted the motherboard in the case, for the one with its case's MB tray that wasn't a slide-in drawer affair.

For the other system, I still started by attaching the cpu and the cpu's hsf outside of (separate from) the drawer for the Kingwin box. In neither case was I dealing with a "Corner Posts" hsf mount with its bracket attached on the back side. Maximum PC's article didn't use one of those either. But they mounted the MB prior to installing any component on that motherboard. I think that the way I did it has got to be easier and faster.

Maybe there is some reason I shouldn't always follow the sequence I've done this time, and I am overlooking it?

 

[Gurck]

For AMD chips it's definitely a better idea to mount the cpu & hsf first, but with Intels and for the ram I'd think it wouldn't much matter either way.

 

[tfinch2]

I've always put the mobo in first then mount the cpu/hsf. I don't know about Intel but I have built 4 AMD machines.

 

[dmw16]

That struck me funny too. Esspecially for the CPUs. In order to get a good coating of thermal grease you really need to have the CPU out so you can at it. A blob in the middle then smooshed out by the heatsink is hardly the best method for thermal grease application.

 

[Matthias99]

If the case has a removable MB tray, I would mount the MB on the tray, then install the HSF/RAM/peripherals on the MB, then put the tray in the system and do the final hookups (drives, front panel, power, etc.).

If the case didn't have a removable tray... I'd throw it away and buy a new one? Seriously, though, I'd still try to install as much stuff onto the MB before mounting it. It doesn't matter in terms of the end result, but I find it hard to install things while the MB is in the case.

 

[Machine350]

Originally posted by: Gurck
For AMD chips it's definitely a better idea to mount the cpu & hsf first, but with Intels and for the ram I'd think it wouldn't much matter either way.

I've always found it to be easier to put the cpu, heatsink, and ram on the board first, then put the board in. It's such a pain to try to get the heatsink clipped on the socket with the board in the case. IMO.

 

[theblackbox]

I do it by case. If the case is roomy enough, i do what feels best. if it's cramped, i'll build what i can outside of the case, then put it together. I've built a ton of amd and intel boxes and both ways work fine, just depends on the case. Old desktop cases were impossible to build inside the case, but bigger cases today have enough room you could climb inside it and build it there.

 

[Gurck]

Originally posted by: Machine350

Originally posted by: Gurck
For AMD chips it's definitely a better idea to mount the cpu & hsf first, but with Intels and for the ram I'd think it wouldn't much matter either way.

I've always found it to be easier to put the cpu, heatsink, and ram on the board first, then put the board in. It's such a pain to try to get the heatsink clipped on the socket with the board in the case. IMO.

Agreed, I do as well - however it wouldn't ruin my day if I had to put ram or an intel cpu/hsf into a mounted motherboard... in fact, I do this when dusting my PC out, reseating/replacing/adding ram, applying new thermal paste, etc. I have an Intel chip in my main rig. Stock AMD hsf's, on the other hand, are a royal pain in the ass to install, and I'd want to do that before mounting the mb.