Parts just arrived... my first problem

[Sofronitsky]

Here's is all of the hardware that came with my Coolermaster cavalier Case (excluding the brass standoffs). Can anyone please identify these different things as the manual is no help at all.

http://img33.picoodle.com/img/img33/...6m_1910442.jpg



A - I believe are the motherboard mounting screws (they fit in the standoffs)... but why are there only 9 when my Intel motherboard has 11 holes??? I contacted coolermaster and told them to "send me more motherboard mounting screws" but the tech guy was no help in helping me identify the right screw.

B - ???????

C - I think these are meant for the drives (these too fit into the standoffs, but seem too small to do the job)

D - These look like case screws... yet in some pictures I've seen they look like motherboard mounting screws(?)

E - ????????????

F - ????????????

G - ?????????????

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There doesn't seem to be any agreement among pc-help websites on the order in which the various components go into the case ( I've got 5 windows from different sites up right now that are all telling me something different)

I've gotten good advice from the forums in the past so I'll trust that someone can tell me how I might best build my new PC.

Should I put the cpu + hsf onto the mb before installing it in the case? What about the Ram?
Should I install the PSU before the motherboard? Does it really matter?


Thanks

[TwoRails]

a) Sounds right. 11 holes in your mobo? I don't build with Intel, so I don't know their mobos, but I'm use to 9 holes. Are there enough holes in the case?

b) not sure either

c) yes, drive mounting screws.

d) those should be for the little shields that cover the card slot access holes.

e) looks like a zip tie mount for tying your wiring neatly to the side of the case.

f) see stuey's post

[Stuey]

Generally, my philosophy is to try different sized screws until I find one that fits.

But given their looks, I'd say:

G goes with F, and could be a locking loop. You're supposed to put a lock or thick locked cable through it to prevent someone from opening the case. Check the back or sides of the case for a slot, or anything that looks like a mounting point.

C = likely to be hard/optical drive screws.
A = likely mobo screws like you thought - the number seems about right.
E = a cable tie anchor? It should have a wax covering over an adhesive pad, or something.
D = PSU screws. Your side panels probably came with thumbscrews, right?
B = side panel screws? Optical drive screws? *shrug*.

Sometimes a HSF requires mobo removal to install it. What I typically do is install the ram and CPU first, and then progress from there.

If you have a cramped case, install the mobo before the PSU. If you have a larger case and a horizontal brace, then installing the PSU shouldn't interfere too much with the mobo installation.

[Sofronitsky]

Ok, thanks for the info. The intel board does have 11 holes and the case has enough holes (that line up) but I have 9 screws... where does that leave me? It's possible that 2 screws got lost somewhere but highly unlikely as I'm very careful about these things. So most motherboards have only 9 holes? I was given 13 standoffs so the lack of mounting screws doesn't make sense to me...

Just another question about keeping the inside of the case organized: There are a few wires that I don't intend on using (like front side audio and mic...) can I just tuck these out of the way somewhere (where's a good place?) Do I need to worry about loose wires touching the motherboard? Give me some tips on keeping a clean, neat case please. Do you recommend I use that cable tie anchor? Which cables should I anchor to it and where should I anchor them? Thanks

[Sofronitsky]

Just examined the standoffs more closely and discovered that 2 of them were about 2 mm longer on one end (the end where the screw goes in)...

[Stuey]

I just checked my P4 system that's mostly disassembled. The mobo is screwed in at 9 locations. Make sure that you only apply screws to holes which have a grounding pad around the hole.

2 standoffs might be for a different purpose - perhaps to secure a cable to some kind of adapter on your mobo?

I usually tuck cables away wherever there's room for them. Get everything hooked up, test it, and verify that everything is in working order before you turn your attention to making the case nice and tidy.

Take a look at the gallery to see what people do. Personally, I use cable ties, sleeving, and route some wires along the perimeter of the case and shove others into small spaces.

[XenaWP]

Well, I guess this isnt' very scientific, but with my CoolerMaster case, I just used the screws that I had enough of for mounting the motherboard. They seemed a bit short, but I was more concerned about putting a screw into every proper motherboard hole and standoff. The Integration or Quick Reference Guide that came with the Intel board shows you where they are.

The rest of the screws didn't do diddly for me. They stripped in every other hole I tried them in (drive mounting, PCI board, etc.).

I just put them in a little labeled bag in my spare parts box. They're useless.

The unused wires from the front, I just used a twisty-tie to bundle them and pushed them behind the bottom drive bays.

[Stuey]

G + F

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by Sofronitsky A - I believe are the motherboard mounting screws (they fit in the standoffs)... but why are there only 9 when my Intel motherboard has 11 holes???

You only use the motherboard mounting holes with the metal ring in them. The bare holes are for something else. Don't worry about them.

Originally Posted by Sofronitsky B - ???????

You don't need those.

Originally Posted by Sofronitsky C - I think these are meant for the drives (these too fit into the standoffs, but seem too small to do the job)

Yes, those look like the bolts for the hard drives but if they also fit in the standoffs, are you sure the "A" bolts are also for the standoffs? They look like they could be for the optical drives.

Originally Posted by Sofronitsky D - These look like case screws... yet in some pictures I've seen they look like motherboard mounting screws(?)

Case screws.

Originally Posted by Sofronitsky E - ????????????

Zip tie anchor.

Originally Posted by Sofronitsky F - ????????????

Side panel lock tab.

Originally Posted by Sofronitsky G - ?????????????

Bolt for side panel lock tab.

Originally Posted by Sofronitsky Should I put the cpu + hsf onto the mb before installing it in the case?

Yes.

Originally Posted by Sofronitsky What about the Ram?

Install it in the motherboard before you install the motherboard into the case.

Originally Posted by Sofronitsky Should I install the PSU before the motherboard?

Depending on the case and how much room you have you could install the PSU after the motherboard is mounted...but you run the risk of smacking the motherboard with the PSU while trying to install it. I'd install the PSU first and then the motherboard.

But before you install the motherboard and PSU into the case you'll want to see if your core components work or not. Follow instructions here. Only install the motherboard after you know your core components are working properly.

Cricket

[Stuey]

Originally Posted by Cricket You only use the motherboard mounting holes with the metal ring in them. The bare holes are for something else. Don't worry about them.

I'm worrying about them. :P Please explain?

[TwoRails]

The ones with the "metal rings" around them are the actual mounting holes. The solder acts like washers to help protect the mobo, and maybe more importantly, add additional grounding for the board. The "bare holes" are just holes and can sustain damage to the mobo if attempts are made to mount with them.

[Stuey]

Right, but what are the unpadded holes intended for?

[TwoRails]

I've never really paid attention to those extra holes... I just might have to take a look. Could be anything, I guess, and my first guess would be that it's for a manufacture process to hold or manipulate the mobo or the like.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by Stuey I'm worrying about them. :P Please explain?

You use these plastic motherboard supports in those holes...problem is most cases don't supply them. As long as all the actual motherboard mounting holes are used with the appropriate standoffs you're fine...unless you happen to press down hard on the corner of the motherboard where those other holes are...but then why would you press down on the corners anyway? Don't worry about it.

Cricket

[TwoRails]

Oh, ya! I remember those!! I haven't seen them since... oh, about my last Intel build which was a 486DX

Thanks for he memory boost, Cricket

[Stuey]

Ah, makes some sense! Thanks!