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Thread ID: 61072	2005-08-23 22:10:00	PC Build - Install M/B with or without PCU, RAM etc?	Randolf (75)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
383254	2005-08-23 22:10:00	I am about to do my first PC build, and like most others have done a lot of "homework". However one aspect that the information sources differ on is whether to install your M/B then add CPU etc. or to install at least your CPU , RAM (and sometimes more) before you put the M/B in the case. I imagine accessability comes into it. I don't have a slide out tray, but both sides come off the case (Lian-Li) and it is quite spacious (ATX form). Can someone who has done a lot of builds tell me what they have found to be the most effective way?	Randolf (75)
383255	2005-08-23 22:19:00	i usually fit the cpu, heatsink/fan and ram first. then plugin the psu and fire it up while its still outside of the case. make sure you havn't got a dud first. then install it into the case, if the ram or heatsink gets in the way then remove them.	tweak'e (69)
383256	2005-08-23 22:26:00	Many will suggest that you assemble the items "on the bench" (on an appropriate surface with the right precautions) and fire it up to ensure it works before bolting it into the case. Some also say its just plain easier to mount the cpu and fan before installing the board. Personally I just remove the PSU from the case, mount the motherboard, then insert the cpu, heatsink/fan, ram, pci cards, then mount the drives, install the PSU, plug everything in, check the jumpers.......and boomfa, a working PC.... I have big hands and work in some tiny cases without any issue......	Metla (12)
383257	2005-08-23 22:38:00	I always mount the CPU/Heatsink on the bench first and usually the memory as well. I have a custom built test rig built out of an old basatrdised 386 desktop case I then drop the board into that which has a PSU & hdd,fire it up and test it before dropping into the new rig. The reason I always attach CPU/Heatsink on the bench first is the force needed to attach the heatsink (especially AMD) is sometimes quite great and trying to do it in a case with PSU and drive bays in the road is a pain in the butt and the clip tool (fancy name for a bastardised screwdriver) can slip of the mounting and put a hole in the board or knock a capacitor off. The force needed also flexes the board a bit so I prefer to do it on a flat surface on an antistatic mat with plenty of room	bartsdadhomer (80)
383258	2005-08-24 02:30:00	My personal preference is to mount the cpu onto the motherboard, then mount the motherboard inside the case (I use the heatsink/fan to hang onto the motherboard as I fit it in the case). Add peripherals, PSU, etc then add the RAM last	Myth (110)
383259	2005-08-24 04:05:00	I normally put the motherboard on a bench and insert the CPU followed by the heatsink and fan. After that I connect the CPU fan to the motherboard. Next comes the RAM which I insert. Eeeeerkk forgot to ensure the jumpers are correct for the cpu FSB etc. Before I insert the Motherboard into the case I use a test bench to ensure the motherboard / cpu / ram and video works After that I am inclined to insert the correct end of IDE cables into the M/B before inserting what I have in the case. Makes me wonder how many people have a tray with a PSU attached. Go for it anyway. You will learn but I hope that won't cost you too much.	Elephant (599)
383260	2005-08-24 04:30:00	I would say it depends on how nimble your fingers are. At my age and with poor eyesight I always put the M/B in first. If I have enough slack in the wires I attach the front USB and case switches first and then screw in the M/B. If I try to install it with heat sink in place I have all sorts of problems getting the screws in. And chasing dropped screws around the bottom of the case. Of course it's not easy fitting the heat sink either. I reckon next time I will pay someone to fit M/B and heat sink for me. :badpc: :badpc: :badpc:	JJJJJ (528)
383261	2005-08-24 05:34:00	The one I've just done I got the shop to fit the CPU/fan to the motherboard (I'd heard that AMD CPUs are a bit hard to fit) then fitted the MB into the case, ram, video card etc, hooked up case wires and fired it up. The only tricky part doing it that way was getting the very slim and tiny plugs from the case (HD lights etc) into the pins on the MB as they are also on the edge of the MB close to the bottom of the case... especially a pain if you don't get the right plug on the right pin first go, even with long fingers.	Shortcircuit (1666)
383262	2005-08-24 06:38:00	I like Metla's idea, I'm going to try that way next, sounds way easier than trying to get those screws into the mobo around the heatsink.	Rob99 (151)
383263	2005-08-24 07:23:00	especially a pain if you don't get the right plug on the right pin first go, even with long fingers. Penlight in mouth (or a clipon light with a pliable stem) and long nose pliars	bartsdadhomer (80)
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