Which to do first?

[Infohawk]

What order should this go in? I saw a guide that put the CPU on first. But what did they lay the mobo on? The ground? I thought the standoffs were to protect the underside of the mobo.

 

[ribbon13]

the anti-static bag?

 

[CalvinHobbes]

I usually do the cpu into the mobo before I install the mobo into the case. I usually just use the foam pad that the motherboard is on inside the static bag.

 

[Infohawk]

Originally posted by: CalvinHobbes
I usually do the cpu into the mobo before I install the mobo into the case. I usually just use the foam pad that the motherboard is on inside the static bag.

Good idea.

 

[Stern]

it's awkward using the foam pad if you're installing a processor like athlon xp, where you need to apply force, you'd need someone to hold down the other end of the mobo when you're putting on the HS

 

[Melchior]

Mobo -> Case then everything, because I dont like the idea of any place on my mobo receiving force except the areas screwed onto standoffs.

 

[dunkster]

Suggested order:
- Insert CPU
- Mount CPU heatsink/Fan assembly
- Install motherboard into case

In many cases, it's extremely awkward to try to install the heatsink/fan onto the CPU after the mobo is installed in the case:
- Difficult to determine if heatsink is really flush-mounted on the CPU heat-spreader.
- Some heatsinks (particularly large after-market) require through-board mounting bolts, requiring access to the bottom of the motherboard for installation.
- Just too little room to work - small space, big fingers.

Hope this helps!

 

[Matthias99]

Get a halfway decent case with a removable motherboard tray and this isn't a problem...

 

[3chordcharlie]

I usually put the mobo in first, but most of the boards I have it works best if you remove the PSU to give yourself room to work in there. Obviously this depends on the location of the CPU socket.

 

[LED]

CPU HS/Fan in Mobo with the other neccesary part (ie.RAM, Vid Card) then test outside the Case to make sure it boots...

 

[Stern]

Originally posted by: Matthias99
Get a halfway decent case with a removable motherboard tray and this isn't a problem...

 

[daveshel]

Originally posted by: dunkster
Suggested order:
- Insert CPU
- Mount CPU heatsink/Fan assembly
- Install motherboard into case

And I install a video card and make sure I can boot before mounting the board in the case.

 

[StrangerGuy]

I always install the CPU and HSF with the mobo on a table, with a antistatic bag/foam layer.

Installing the HSF with the mobo attached to the case, especially for socket A CPUs, is rather risky IMO since (usually) there is no standoffs to support the HSF area and the board may crack under the pressure.

 

[Fern]

Originally posted by: Infohawk
What order should this go in? I saw a guide that put the CPU on first. But what did they lay the mobo on? The ground? I thought the standoffs were to protect the underside of the mobo.

I highly recommend assembling the mobo, cpu, ram, and gfx card and ensuring it will boot/POST before putting it into the case.

Otherwise, if something doesn't work you must take it back out and put it back in etc. This becomes a PITA. Remember, just because parts are new doesn't mean they work.. PSU's, ram and mobo's are known to arrive DOA.

Put the mobo on a phonebook (the height provides room for the "lip" of the gfx card), I usually put the little foam pad on the phonebook.

I find it a major PITA to try install CPU's, HS's and TIM while the mobo is in the case.

Fern

EDIT: This sounds like your first build. Search for a post by MechBgon and check out the link in his sig to buiding PCs. Its got photo's etc and s/b a big help.

 

[Amaroque]

WTH?

You guys take the MB out of the case to do a processor swap? (same thing as initial install) I change my CPU's frequently. No way I would disassemble the whole MB, and everything connected, just to replace a CPU.

 

[imported_Mitchell]

I usually put the motherboard on the metal backing of the case and then install the CPU. But then again, the cases I normally use are ones where the motherboard tray can slide out of the case.

Makes it easier to mod cases as well if you can slide out the MB tray.

 

[JimPhelpsMI]

Hi, Fern has it right. You can troubleshoot very easily. Start with CPU, one stick of mem , power supply and video. Add one item at the time. Jim

 

[suse920]

mobo in case ----> everything on it