Fitting a new mobo, CPU etc. Any tips?

[addyb]

Hi all,

Well I'm planning on swapping out my mobo and CPU next week and as I've never done it before I just wondered if there is anything to look out for? I've installed a CPU and heatsink before so know about that but in terms of the mobo is it just a case of fixing it in place and just connecting everything up?

Ill be stripping my tower down next week (NZXT Apollo) do I need to remove the cages as well? Another thing is will I be able to install windows via the USB 3 ports? I know how to create a windows 7 install on a USB but as windows 7 doesn't come with these drivers is there anyway to put them on the USB stick and install them before windows?

Again if anyone has any advice then let me know. I just don't want to miss anything obvious or damage anything. Sorry for the noob post. Only just got back into my pc gaming so I'm a bit rusty.

 

[alphaomega16]

Besides the obvious of remembering to back everything up as a change of mobo usually requires a fresh install.

There have been times where I have redone an OS so much that I sometimes forget to back **** up and afterwards thank god that they dont allow everyone to carry guns in the UK as I would probably use it on myself for all the stuff I lost

 

[hopeless]

Hi all,

Well I'm planning on swapping out my mobo and CPU next week and as I've never done it before I just wondered if there is anything to look out for? I've installed a CPU and heatsink before so know about that but in terms of the mobo is it just a case of fixing it in place and just connecting everything up?

The short answer is yes and the long answer is yeeeeeeessss!

But if you're a bit rusty, this is what I did. Before you fix your motherboard to the case; put the processor in the socket, pull the lever down. Attach the backplate from your heatsink into the back of your motherboard. Apply a dab of thermal compound on your CPU. Plonk your cooler on the cpu and fix it to your backplate. But you don't mention if you're going to use an after market cooler. If you are, and it's a heatsink covering the ram slots you intend to use, slap your ram in before you attach the heatsink. Unless I'm missing something, I think you're ready to screw it into your case.

Ill be stripping my tower down next week (NZXT Apollo) do I need to remove the cages as well? Another thing is will I be able to install windows via the USB 3 ports? I know how to create a windows 7 install on a USB but as windows 7 doesn't come with these drivers is there anyway to put them on the USB stick and install them before windows?

I'm not familiar with that case but it might help to remove the drive cages first, depending on the size of the case. Have a look inside of your case and in the manual for your motherboard for motherboard fitting. If it looks like it's going to be tight squeeze or your graphics card is long then yeah removing them first might be a good idea.

Is there any particular reason why you're installing windows via usb instead of an optical drive? If that's your only option there's plenty of guides online.

Anyway, good luck.

 

[alphaomega16]

NZXT :: Unique. Unprecendented. Inspired - Apollo Product Detail

 

[addyb]

Besides the obvious of remembering to back everything up as a change of mobo usually requires a fresh install.

There have been times where I have redone an OS so much that I sometimes forget to back **** up and afterwards thank god that they dont allow everyone to carry guns in the UK as I would probably use it on myself for all the stuff I lost

I recently backed up all my data before installing windows on my ssd so I'll only need to reinstall a few apps and games.

 

[addyb]

The short answer is yes and the long answer is yeeeeeeessss!

But if you're a bit rusty, this is what I did. Before you fix your motherboard to the case; put the processor in the socket, pull the lever down. Attach the backplate from your heatsink into the back of your motherboard. Apply a dab of thermal compound on your CPU. Plonk your cooler on the cpu and fix it to your backplate. But you don't mention if you're going to use an after market cooler. If you are, and it's a heatsink covering the ram slots you intend to use, slap your ram in before you attach the heatsink. Unless I'm missing something, I think you're ready to screw it into your case.



I'm not familiar with that case but it might help to remove the drive cages first, depending on the size of the case. Have a look inside of your case and in the manual for your motherboard for motherboard fitting. If it looks like it's going to be tight squeeze or your graphics card is long then yeah removing them first might be a good idea.

Is there any particular reason why you're installing windows via usb instead of an optical drive? If that's your only option there's plenty of guides online.

Anyway, good luck.

I'll be using my arctic cooler freezer 7. It doesn't obscure any ram slots on my p5k but will take a look once I get my z77x.

As for the USB install its just far quicker then using my DVD drive. I can do installs off USB in my sleep but wondered if there was a way of doing it via usb3. I've actually found a guide that shows you how to put the drivers in the install so I will give that a whirl when I'm all ready.

 

[Sniper Ash6]

Besides the obvious of remembering to back everything up as a change of mobo usually requires a fresh install.

There have been times where I have redone an OS so much that I sometimes forget to back **** up and afterwards thank god that they dont allow everyone to carry guns in the UK as I would probably use it on myself for all the stuff I lost

No you don't. I changed cases yesterday and as part of it changed from the P8Z68-V LE from Asus to the Gigabyte Z77-D3H and didn't do a clean install. Just let it install the drivers and sort itself out, it'll be happy with it.

I'll be using my arctic cooler freezer 7. It doesn't obscure any ram slots on my p5k but will take a look once I get my z77x.

As for the USB install its just far quicker then using my DVD drive. I can do installs off USB in my sleep but wondered if there was a way of doing it via usb3. I've actually found a guide that shows you how to put the drivers in the install so I will give that a whirl when I'm all ready.

The F7P is easy to install on 1155 (and any socket really). It's what I've currently got on the 2500K I have at the mo. I'm using two DIMM slots and it gets close to one of them, I'm not sure about one of the others I'm not using. Don't think it would be an issue on this board though

 

[addyb]

Ok thanks for the advice guys.

 

[alphaomega16]

btw, was looking at that case and I have a cooler master thats similar in regards to the hard drive section and it pisses me off because the PSU I have means the power cables are pressing againts the side of the case due to the rubber bit that extends all the way from the wire to the head of the connector and I am scared of breaking the plastic power bit.

Also due to this I cannot have more than 3 hard drives in there as forcing it to bend provides the same results.

 

[alphaomega16]

No you don't. I changed cases yesterday and as part of it changed from the P8Z68-V LE from Asus to the Gigabyte Z77-D3H and didn't do a clean install. Just let it install the drivers and sort itself out, it'll be happy with it.

Lucky, ive always encountered little problems when doing this and over time just decided to do a fresh install straight off the bat rather than hoping and praying

Been a long time since I have not done a fresh install after installing a new motherboard.

 

[boltlock]

Lucky, ive always encountered little problems when doing this and over time just decided to do a fresh install straight off the bat rather than hoping and praying

Been a long time since I have not done a fresh install after installing a new motherboard.

Never had any problems as such myself but imo nothing beats the speed and zip of a fresh windows install without all the junk. Hence, why I would always do a reinstall after a mobo change too.

 

[Sephiro]

One other thing to check is that the screw holes in your new motherboard are in the same place as the ones in the old board, if they aren't move the screw studs in the case to line up with the new holes. Generally they should be the same but I remember one of my mates forgot to check this during one of his upgrades and wondered why his PC kept restarting every time the case got a slight bump (i.e. his motherboard was basically shorting out against a screw stud that was in the wrong place - luckily for him it didn't do any permanent damage).

I've also never bothered re-installing the OS when swapping out my motherboard so I personally wouldn't bother with that step unless you've got already got issues before the upgrade or run into problems afterwards. I managed to go through three sets of hardware with my original winXP install - sadly I'm using a RAID-0 array now so that won't be an option for my next upgrade as it's tied to the SATA controller on my motherboard.

 

[boltlock]

One other thing to check is that the screw holes in your new motherboard are in the same place as the ones in the old board, if they aren't move the screw studs in the case to line up with the new holes. Generally they should be the same but I remember one of my mates forgot to check this during one of his upgrades and wondered why his PC kept restarting every time the case got a slight bump (i.e. his motherboard was basically shorting out against a screw stud that was in the wrong place - luckily for him it didn't do any permanent damage).

I've also never bothered re-installing the OS when swapping out my motherboard so I personally wouldn't bother with that step unless you've got already got issues before the upgrade or run into problems afterwards. I managed to go through three sets of hardware with my original winXP install - sadly I'm using a RAID-0 array now so that won't be an option for my next upgrade as it's tied to the SATA controller on my motherboard.

Now I remember why I used to do a reinstall everytime. Even though I've switched to a single drive now, I'll probably still do it out of habit.

 

[addyb]

Yeah i'll be doing a fresh install as im current experiencing random freezing issues which i suspect is ssd related in some way. Ive done the process of elimination and feel my aging p5k isnt handling it well so will see what happens next week. Ive got all my apps etc stored on my secondary drive so its just a case of reinstalling windows. Which will take about 5 mins via usb3 and then say another 30 mins to install drivers, apps and a couple of games.

 

[alphaomega16]

Never had any problems as such myself but imo nothing beats the speed and zip of a fresh windows install without all the junk. Hence, why I would always do a reinstall after a mobo change too.

I used to re-install windows every 6 months as I used to test a lot of programs and such and it always helped to keep my system nice and clean and smooth.

 

[Kirki]

Some people say not necessary but if you have an anti-static wrist strap then I'd advise to use it, better safe than sorry.

 

[addyb]

Some people say not necessary but if you have an anti-static wrist strap then I'd advise to use it, better safe than sorry.

No not got anything like that but i will make sure im earthed!
All my kit is at home (came yesterday) just waiting on a few bits and bats before i start the stripping down of current system and fitting of the new.
I might book half a day off friday and do it in the afternoon when i dont have a 3 year old girl and wife hounding me!

 

[boltlock]

I might book half a day off friday and do it in the afternoon when i dont have a 3 year old girl and wife hounding me!

I would definitely go with that as distractions are the last thing you'll want lol!! Especially if your missus likes flouncing around the house in a see-thru negligee.

 

[RottenFox]

I would definitely go with that as distractions are the last thing you'll want lol!! Especially if your missus likes flouncing around the house in a see through negligee.

Maybe he does...that's why he wants to be alone...

I suggest if he has any of his previous medication around, take some of that, that'll definitely calm your nerves mate..

 

[boltlock]

Maybe he does...that's why he wants to be alone...

I suggest if he has any of his previous medication around, take some of that, that'll definitely calm your nerves mate..

As long as it doesn't interfere with his hardware, everything should be good to go.

 

[Sinzer]

The F7P is easy to install on 1155

Didn't fit on my ASUS P8Z77 board, couldn't tell whether I had Rev 1 or 2 of the cooler, however, I had to use the stock cooler that came with my i5.

It was a tight fit on my ASUS P5Q, however, with the 1155 socket it was just a couple of millimeters out. I would advise to double check before the build really starts, to give you time to have an alternative cooler lined up.

 

[addyb]

I would definitely go with that as distractions are the last thing you'll want lol!! Especially if your missus likes flouncing around the house in a see-thru negligee.

That stopped after we got married 5 years ago

Maybe he does...that's why he wants to be alone...

I suggest if he has any of his previous medication around, take some of that, that'll definitely calm your nerves mate..

shhhhh it was a secret i like to build pc's wearing nothing but black fishnets and red heels.

 

[addyb]

Didn't fit on my ASUS P8Z77 board, couldn't tell whether I had Rev 1 or 2 of the cooler, however, I had to use the stock cooler that came with my i5.

It was a tight fit on my ASUS P5Q, however, with the 1155 socket it was just a couple of millimeters out. I would advise to double check before the build really starts, to give you time to have an alternative cooler lined up.

I can see that being the case for me. I dont know if i have rev 1 or not. Will take a look once i start. Ive got the stock cooler i can use anyway if it doesnt fit.

 

[Sinzer]

Ive got the stock cooler i can use anyway if it doesnt fit.

No problems then. It had me going for about 10 mins and I was trying to get the F7P in place and it just wasn't working. Thought I would try the stock cooler and pam ..... like a glove.... it went straight in.

 

[Sniper Ash6]

Didn't fit on my ASUS P8Z77 board, couldn't tell whether I had Rev 1 or 2 of the cooler, however, I had to use the stock cooler that came with my i5.

It was a tight fit on my ASUS P5Q, however, with the 1155 socket it was just a couple of millimeters out. I would advise to double check before the build really starts, to give you time to have an alternative cooler lined up.

It's a bit fiddly on the first go if you're not sure about it but I didn't find it too bad at all. As long as it's compatible with LGA1156 then you're ok. You will have three holes in the plastic retention bracket and you want the middle one. It can be a bit of a pain as it can fall to either extreme rather than the middle.