Changing cases - need advice

PapaLazaru · 5 Sep 2015 at 16:17

Now I am pretty clued up with my knowledge of components and can happily change a CPU or GPU around but I have to confess, I have never swopped out a whole rig into a new case.

Can anyone offer me any advice so I don't balls it all up?

My plan is to remove the GPU but keep the CPU cooler attached along with the RAM and the sata cables, which I will label up as to what drive it attached to them and just plug the drivers back into the same cable once installed. I am also happy with plugging in all of the power cables to the mobo and GPU.

My confusion comes from plugging in the stuff from the front, like the on/off button and and USB's and also the fans as the new case will be running more fans.

I'm just a little nervous so any advice would be great.

Going from a CoolerMaster CM690 II to a Fractal Define S.

ta

ExRayTed · 5 Sep 2015 at 22:12

The front panel stuff is easy - just download the motherboard manual and follow the instructions. Coloured (not white) wires are '+'

USB simply plugs into the same USB headers on the motherboard. As for fans, get a fan hub such as this if you don't have enough headers on the motherboard:

YOUR BASKET
1 x NZXT fan Grid Multi-Channel Distribution Fan - Black £9.95
Total : £9.95 (includes shipping : Ex.VAT).

When actually fitting it all my advice would be to install the power supply first and route all the cables before mounting the motherboard - that way you can hide stuff neatly behind the motherboard before fixing it in place.

Bart_Hunt · 5 Sep 2015 at 22:21

+1 for the above suggestion.

PapaLazaru · 5 Sep 2015 at 22:26

Thanks chaps.

I'll give it a go in the week. Might get that fan hub as am planning on running 5 case fans (three intake at the front and two exhaust fans at the back / top) so would make it nice and easy to keep it looking clean.

mickyflinn · 5 Sep 2015 at 22:30

Also take photos

PapaLazaru · 5 Sep 2015 at 22:37

I am trying to tidy up this mess!

No need for an optical drive anymore and with the new case all the drives go behind the motherboard tray.

Can you see one of my SSD's just hanging down at the bottom right?

fobose · 6 Sep 2015 at 08:37

lol @ the SSD

Can you not route the PSU wires out the back and then come back in again where you need them? I would stick the SSD on top of one of your HDD's with some velcro.

My case is very old so I dont have the routing holes near the PSU and instead the bottom bay is completely open on the sides. As my motherboard is not quite full ATX size it looks a bit messy from what I am used to

I've got 4 HDD's and 1 SSD in my PC:

ExRayTed · 6 Sep 2015 at 08:59

Jesus - that's quite a mess

Learn to love cable ties - tie everything up behind the motherboard tray.

The Fractal makes it easy to hide everything away so there really should be no excuse

Although this is an improvement over your current set-up it's still too messy for me - I'd be making up some coloured extensions and cable combing the **** outta them