Bench testing a new build - good idea?

[Busterizer]

I'm awaiting delivery of parts for a new Core i7 build, and all the parts are due by Wednesday except the case, which won't arrive until Friday.

Because I'm impatient, I realized I could build the whole thing sans case and make sure the components were all working properly and as a bonus I could play with it a bit before putting it all in the case. I've never bench assembled a build before though, so I thought I'd ask for some opinions and experiences. Do you regularly bench test your builds before putting them in a case? Anyone have any anecdotes to share, either for or against the idea? Anything I should watch out for if I decide to do this?

-Fin

 

[engiNURD]

Yah, don't short anything! (except the power leads, hehe) I bench test all my builds, simply because I hate removing motherboards in case something is DOA. Sit the mobo on its cardboard box, without the anti-static bag. Hookup the PSU to the wall outlet, but make sure its switched off while connecting everything. Also, use it to ground yourself before touching any parts. You can use anything metal, typically a screwdriver, to short the the two power switch leads to turn the system on. Hold it there for 1-3 seconds. If you have a spare case speaker from an old case, this comes in handy to hear if there are any errors.

 

[Dangman]

I benchtest most of my builds as well. Enginurd pretty covered what I usually do when benchtesting my builds. With benchtesting, it removes the case and case power connectors as a possible source of conflict.

 

[Busterizer]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts guys. You say to set it up just on the motherboard box, but it looks like you've got some sort of foam between the box and the motherboard. Are you using some sort of anti static pad or something?

 

[engiNURD]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts guys. You say to set it up just on the motherboard box, but it looks like you've got some sort of foam between the box and the motherboard. Are you using some sort of anti static pad or something?

I had the foam in that pic, but I don't usually use it, esp if its conductive. You don't want anything conductive (anti-static bag/foam) touching all the solder points on the underside of the board. I keep it on the foam when I'm installing the CPU, HSF, and RAM, then I normally remove the foam before powering on.

 

[Busterizer]

Ah, that makes sense. So you use the foam to keep the board protected while installing components, but set it just on the box (cardboard) when running to prevent any shorts/grounds. Thanks again

-Fin

 

[Busterizer]

Setting things up on my desk was easy once I got the power supply positioned so it could reach everything easily. It's worth noting that the Asus P6T Deluxe has on board power and reset buttons, so no need to short any pins with a screwdriver

My case was delayed, won't be arriving until next Wednesday. I guess I'll just have to be careful and run bench style until then.

-Fin