When do you install cpu, hsf and ram?

When do you install cpu, hsf and ram?

  • Before installing mobo in case.

    Votes: 41 66.1%

  • After installing mobo in case.

    Votes: 21 33.9%
  • Total voters
    62
That can really depend on your HSF requirements. Some (most) HSF's require you to mount special brackets underneath your mobo, so naturally you mount the brackets first then mount your mobo.

Also depending on whether your case has a pull-out motherboard tray. In a smaller case is easier to install your cpu, hsf and ram outside of the case if possible. But to reduce possible flexing and damage to your mobo, its a good practice to have your mobo screwed down tight before installation of these parts because there can be some pressure involved in mounting your HSF screws and pushing in your RAM.

In my opinion there's no set answer...but I'd vote for motherboard first.
 
Dark Prodigy said:
That can really depend on your HSF requirements. Some (most) HSF's require you to mount special brackets underneath your mobo, so naturally you mount the brackets first then mount your mobo.

Also depending on whether your case has a pull-out motherboard tray. In a smaller case is easier to install your cpu, hsf and ram outside of the case if possible. But to reduce possible flexing and damage to your mobo, its a good practice to have your mobo screwed down tight before installation of these parts because there can be some pressure involved in mounting your HSF screws and pushing in your RAM.

In my opinion there's no set answer...but I'd vote for motherboard first.
Click to expand...

Agreed, it depends on cases. Myself, I prefer to install it outside the case for some free working space.
 
i usually put everything in when the mobo is in the case and secure. Like they said above some CPU fans require a backplate, but i always install that, then put the CPU and heatsink on, then RAM, then connect everything else to the mobo.....
 
Aratech said:
Does the AMD 64 stock hsf require these special brackets for the mobo?
Click to expand...


Yes, they have a glue patch, and standoffs that go through two holes on the board, the backside must be on first.
 
Well, I would do it outside the case first because I would boot it outside to case to check that everything works. If it POSTs outside the case, then you'll know your core components work, so when you pop it in the case and it doesn't POST, you can safely assume something is shorting somewhere.
 
I install everything outside of the case, and run it, outside of the case, the first time.

I do this to make sure all of the equipment works and if not, be able to check connections easily and if it's bad hardware, rebox it right there.

I HATE having to unscrew and screw things in more than once. i get angry. like, kick my laptop angry.
 
UltimaParadox said:
What if I have a mobo tray for my case, would that be considered outside the case?
Click to expand...
Personally, I like to keep it away from anything that looks like metal, I do it on top of my mobo box. Not sure if the trays can cause issues, but less no-beeps-no-video-but-fans-are-spinning bootups = goood. ;)
 
I do it both ways,depending on how the mood strikes me, outside the case is my preference. Because if it's tight you can grab the CPU heatsink to help guide it in. Some will shudder at that comment, but it works for me.
 
I perfer to install it outside the case for space reasons. If I do have to press down to get the HSF on, its on a flat surface.
 
Aratech said:
Does the AMD 64 stock hsf require these special brackets for the mobo?
Click to expand...

defakto said:
Yes, they have a glue patch, and standoffs that go through two holes on the board, the backside must be on first.
Click to expand...

Well I received my new mobo and cpu and It wasn't anything like this. It just had a little square bracket that the hsf fit right into, a standard looking chrome clip that attached to tabs on either side of the socket and a black plastic lever that locked the whole contraption down. Closing that lever was the hardest part. It felt like I was putting a ton of pressure on the cpu and mobo when locking it in place. I'm definitely glad I installed it outside of the case.
 
ChingChang said:
I do everything outside first. That way, if there is a problem with hardware it is easier to diagnose and all of the hardware is easily accessable. Once windows it set up, I will move it into the case and know that it should work fine. It does not take much longer than normal.

Here is an example of what I do:
http://www.systekonline.com/upload/files/view/2/random crap/test-setup.jpg
Click to expand...

Impressive wall of Red Bull dude.
 
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