Computer Re-Caseing

[Loxa]

Hey,
ive recently just purchased a new case for my computer and im wondering how simple it would be to swap all compents from one to the other. Ive never done this before so im abit scared about how safe it will be

 

[PCDave]

What case are you swapping from and putting them into? what components are you moving from the old case - new case.

providing the case are of similar build it should not be too much of a problem.

 

[100%scottish]

make sure all power is disconnected and ground yourself on a radiator or something, always be very careful when handling components and where you place them (anti static bags are a good idea) everything is pretty simple except miby I/O power switch etc cables. best thing to do is have a look on youtube for a tutorial and if you feel confident go ahead with it but always BE CAREFUL !! I started this kind of thing when I was 15 and fryed a good few motherboards and graphics cards over the years just from being clumsy and sitting them on beds or on the carpet lol. dont make the same mistakes

 

[cmndr_andi]

Hi there,

It really depends on your components and what the old and new cases are - but assuming the boards and PSUs are all ATX standard then you shouldn't have much trouble.

This is the order I would do it in:

- Turn the PSU off at the wall at the unit
- Disconnect all the power connections from the PSU to the components
- Disconnect all the data connections and put them to one side
- Unscrew the graphics card retention screws and disconnect it from the motherboard (remember there is usually a press-down catch on the PCIE slot) and put it safely aside
- Unscrew the PSU and put it to one side
- Unscrew the motherboard (with the CPU cooler and RAM sticks still attached) and put it on an non-conductive surface (cardboard or wood is good)
- Disconnect all the other things you are transferring to the new case like fans, HDDs, DVD drives etc.
- Get your new case ready to accept all your components (attach fans, remove packaging, pop out drive bay covers etc.)
- Connect up your DVD drive, fans and HDD/SSDs to your new case
- Depending on the design of your new case put the PSU or motherboard next
- Install the graphics card
- Connect up all the power connections (including case fans)
- Connect up all the data connections (including the front panel connections)
- Plug the PSU into the mains and turn on the PSU
- Test the system

Also, while going through the build try to achieve good cable management - as it makes upgrades/maintainence so much easier and it will help with airflow a bit.

 

[James J]

Hi there,

It really depends on your components and what the old and new cases are - but assuming the boards and PSUs are all ATX standard then you shouldn't have much trouble.

This is the order I would do it in:

- Turn the PSU off at the wall at the unit
- Disconnect all the power connections from the PSU to the components
- Disconnect all the data connections and put them to one side
- Unscrew the graphics card retention screws and disconnect it from the motherboard (remember there is usually a press-down catch on the PCIE slot) and put it safely aside
- Unscrew the PSU and put it to one side
- Unscrew the motherboard (with the CPU cooler and RAM sticks still attached) and put it on an non-conductive surface (cardboard or wood is good)
- Disconnect all the other things you are transferring to the new case like fans, HDDs, DVD drives etc.
- Get your new case ready to accept all your components (attach fans, remove packaging, pop out drive bay covers etc.)
- Connect up your DVD drive, fans and HDD/SSDs to your new case
- Depending on the design of your new case put the PSU or motherboard next
- Install the graphics card
- Connect up all the power connections (including case fans)
- Connect up all the data connections (including the front panel connections)
- Plug the PSU into the mains and turn on the PSU
- Test the system

Also, while going through the build try to achieve good cable management - as it makes upgrades/maintainence so much easier and it will help with airflow a bit.

Pretty much what I'd do, apart from I'd make a note of double checking that everything is screwed down properly and connected correctly before putting power to the PSU and testing the system. Thats more personal preference and piece of mind rather than a necessity though!

 

[cmndr_andi]

Oh, and I should add that you really need to check that the new case has motherboard stand-offs installed and only in the correct locations for you motherboard.

 

[Loxa]

Thanks a lot for all the replys reading through makes me feel a lot more confident about it, the case i have ATM is a Packard Bell IXtreme

http://www.testberichte.de/imgs/p_imgs/Packard+Bell+Ixtreme+MC+9740-104-104632.jpg

Not this exact system just the case. The motherboard is a pheonix if i remeber correctly

The case i have just bought from Overclockers is a Sharkoon T9

Other compents im moving are, OCZ 750w, geforce 250 GTS, dvd Driver, x2 350gb harddrives and im installing a new fan onto my CPU which is a coolmaster evo 212

 

[Phil2008]

I started this kind of thing when I was 15 and fryed a good few motherboards and graphics cards over the years just from being clumsy and sitting them on beds or on the carpet lol. dont make the same mistakes

You must have slid your stuff along the carpet or been really unlucky, as Ive put my hardware down on the carpet quite often over the years, and I havent had any problems. Plus I have cerebral palsy so I not as always careful as I want to be and I haven't had any mishaps with hardware over 10-15yrs that Ive been interested in pcs