I have built one PC from scratch and am now going to upgrade it, pretty much replacing all parts. My question is what order do you install the components i.e. do you install everything or most onto the motherboard before mounting it onto the case or the other way around. I should mention my case has a hole in the motherboard tray for access to CPU cooler installation. Could i have a run down of the order of components to install and plug in please.
install the ram, cpu and cooler outside the case, install the hdd's, optical drives and psu into the case. install the mobo into the case and then wire it all up. thats how i do it anyways, trying to get a cpu cooler on inside the case is a nightmare
I also use the same order as bagpuss. Can't really go wrong putting a machine together in that order. Although some people prefer testing if the systems POSTS before putting everything in the case
same as bagpuss for me unless the CPU cooler extends over the ram slots, if thats the case it ram>cooler
Depends on the case. In some cases it can be hard as hell to squeeze the motherboard in after installing the optical drives (mainly HTPC-cases, though, so it's quite marginal). Anyway my list if nothing interferes with anything: 1. Psu 2. mobo with everything installed 3. optical + hdd 4. graphics 5. connect everything and zip-tie excess cable mess somewhere.
i tend to wire up the mobo before installing the graphics card and (sometimes) the cpu cooler, that way everything is easily accesible. (sometimes sata ports are blocked by a gfx card.)
The way I allways do it is. 1. install IO plate and standoffs in case 2. check mobo lines up correctly with above 3. remove blanking plates for gpu in case 4. fit psu and optical drives in case 5. with mobo out of case install cpu 6. install cpu cooler without fan 7. install ram 8. fit fan to cooler 9. install mobo in case 10 . Harddrive 11.GPU 12. connect cables and tidy up Then connect mouse / keyboard / power/ monitor and cross fingers and press power button.
That's exactly how I do it. With my last computer I think I had to fit the hard disks first so I could fit everything else in, but this new case I have is more flexible.
As someone else on the Forum suggested a few weeks back - install the PSU first. Plug it in, but leave it switched off - that way the chassis is earthed and you should avoid any static charge damaging components (just remember to touch the case every now and then). Also avoids the risk of dropping it on the mobo or anything else.
I install CPU/ Cooler/ RAM onto the motherboard first, then I put in CD drive(s), Hard drive(s) and Power supply, then Install the motherboard and PCI stuff. If there's lights to be installed they go last and then I go nuts with cable management.
1. CPU 2. Cooler 3. RAM 4. PSU 5. Mobo 6. Optical 7. HDD 8. GPU 9. PSU 9. PSU 8.GPU 7. HDD 6. Optical 5. Mobo 4. PSU 3. RAM 2. Cooler 1. CPU 1. CPU 2. Cooler 3. RAM 4. PSU 5. Mobo 6. Optical 7. HDD 8. GPU 9. PSU
