Install mobo, then ram, cpu and cooler?

jason2_uk · 30 Jul 2011 at 00:55

Hi all, this is my first major build, what I'm wondering is, having read about various guides some seem to recommend leaving the mobo on top of its box and fit the ram, cpu and cooler and then screw it into the case, and then others say put the mobo in first of all, and then with it screwed into the case, install the ram cpu and cooler.
What I'm wondering is which is best, and provides minimal risk of doing damage lol?!

stulid · 30 Jul 2011 at 00:59

Fit the standoffs to the case, one for each hole on the board.

Fit the I/O shield plate.

Fit the PSU to the case with the cables hanging out.

Put the motherboard onto the anti static bag it came in and fit the CPU/RAM and heatsink.

Fit the drives to the case.

Place the motherboard assembly in and screw it down.

Do the front panel wiring and the motherboard power connectors(two off them)

Do the power to the drives and the SATA data cables.

Fit the graphics card and its power(if you are fitting one?)

Power up and install.

jason2_uk · 30 Jul 2011 at 01:04

Cheers, thanks for the information, will be very handy for tomorrow...though you make it sound all so easy lol! Hopefully it goes this smoothly... or else I may be popping back on here to source some more expertise!

Kobi · 30 Jul 2011 at 07:11

jason2_uk said:
Cheers, thanks for the information, will be very handy for tomorrow...though you make it sound all so easy lol! Hopefully it goes this smoothly... or else I may be popping back on here to source some more expertise!

Thats because it is easy! haha. As everyone says its just lego really.

Only thing i can add is once its all plugged in and ready to go, double and check every cable is plugged in properly. Such a great feeling getting your first build to start up.

Akagi · 30 Jul 2011 at 12:56

personally i would fit everything except pci/pcie/agp etc cards first, and then install the motherboard.

Then install the cards and plug it all in after.

But you can put the ram in afterwards if you wish, that doesent matter. but your life will be make a heck of a lot easier if you at least install the cpu and heatsink first.