Martinus
Premium
join:2001-08-06
EU
|  Motherboard - installing CPU, cooler, RAM
How do you guys install CPU, CPU cooler and RAM in the motherboard?
Before putting the motherboard in the case or after putting the motherboard in the case?
I've always installed these things first and then put the motherboard in the case but lately I've been seeing that people do it after putting the mobo in place.
There is a nice video of that here but, of course, there's plenty of room in that case for installing everything without cutting your fingers  |
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elios
join:2005-11-15
Springfield, MO | yes do it befor you put it in the case its MUCH easy RAM you can do befor or after but CPU and heatsink befor |
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Cthen
join:2004-08-01
Detroit, MI
 ·Comcast
| reply to Martinus
I like installing that stuff first as well. To me it gives me a chance to see everything up close for final inspection before mounting it in the case. 
--
"I like to refer to myself as an Adult Film Efficienato." - Stuart Bondek |
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Octavean
Premium,MVM
join:2001-03-31
New York, NY
1 edit | reply to Martinus
I’d say before in most cases but I’ve done it the other way around too. Its good to have a method of operation but one should also be able to adapt.
Ideally I think its best to use hardware that makes the question unnecessary to begin with. Hardware such as removable motherboard trays or cases with cut outs in the tray to allow bolting and unbolting of cooling solutions without motherboard removal. And so on,...
Such things just make life easier. Also not a good idea to use cases that have sharp edges and that are going to cut you up like a thanksgiving turkey |
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signmeuptoo
Folding and Crunching Show you CARE
Premium
join:2001-11-22
NanoParticle
clubs: 
 ·Future Nine Corpor..
 ·AT&T Southeast
| reply to Martinus
Back in the old days (yeah, OLD!) I did it with the motherboard installed, but, starting about a decade ago or so I started installing at least the CPU and HS/F since then. There is less stress to the mainboard mounting stuff on it while on its antistatic foam mat nice and flat on a static free table.
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ZzyzxFromOR
join:2005-06-27
Portland, OR
| reply to Martinus
Add me to the 'before' camp.
I once made the mistake of installing the mobo & CPU first, then trying to get the heat sink seated properly after it was installed in the case. I burned up a AMD 1400 Athlon because the sink was resting on the lip of the socket and not flush.
Expensive lesson learned. |
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pnjunction
Teksavvy Premium
Premium
join:2008-01-24
Toronto, ON
·TekSavvy Solutions..
| reply to Martinus
I guess I would do it before on a new build....but I've only been through 2 motherboards in 8 years with several CPU, heatsink and RAM upgrades where I didn't bother to take the motherboard out.
Only times I've had my current board out (had it since 2005 or so) were to replace the northbridge cooler (stupid cheap fan) with a passive one...and then change it back (with some lube in the fan) when I got a big video card and the passive sink was in the way. It was really annoying both times.
But yeah I guess if you're starting fresh might as well get the CPU, cooler and RAM on there first especially if you're green and not sure what you're doing. |
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CylonRed
Premium,MVM
join:2000-07-06
Bloom County | reply to Martinus
If the case has a removeable tray then before - otherwise after . |
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Martinus
Premium
join:2001-08-06
EU
2 edits | reply to Martinus
Many thanks for the input.
I guess I'll stick to what always has worked for me. Installing this stuff before.
Now, if I had that Obsidian case featured in the video linked in my first post I'd probably give it a shot to putting everything after but, alas, my new cases, if all goes as planned, are gonna be Antecs P183 and, quite frankly, they really don't hold a candle to that Corsair beast |
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