Preparing Case and Installing Power Supply

Open the Case

The next step in your computer construction is preparing the computer case for all the components to be installed. This is generally a very straightforward process, but can be different depending on the computer case you purchase.

Most standard cases will have two metal panels on each side of the case that can be removed to access the components of the computer. Some computers have latches or buttons to release the side of the case, but most computers will be secured by two or three screws on the back of the computer case. Remove these screws and slide the side of the case off (1).

(1)

Attaching the Backplate

The backplate of the computer is a small metal plate with holes in it for the rear ports on the motherboard to go out the back of the case (1). This backplate helps support correct airflow and proper grounding for the ports on the computer. Backplates vary with different motherboards, and because of this your motherboard should have come with one. To prepare the backplate carefully examine the grounding tabs (2). Some of these will need to be bent out as shown in order to mesh properly with the motherboard. Try fitting on the backplate to ensure that all of the tabs are correctly bent out (3)(4). None of the ports should be covered. If there is all backplate already in the case, remove it by pushing it in towards the case and replace it with the prepared plate from the motherboard box by doing the reverse. Make sure all four corners are completely pushed in otherwise it can create an annoyance later when inserting the motherboard. The plate should pop into the case all the way and fit snugly.

(1)		(2)
(3)		(4)

Installing standoffs

The motherboard has sensitive contact points on both sides of the board. Because of this, it is necessary to install standoffs (1) in order to prevent these connections from making contact with the metallic case (2). To install these standoffs carefully examine the small mounting holes on the motherboard (3) and compare them to corresponding holes in the case (4). Some cases might not have all of the holes that are on the motherboard and vice versa, this is not uncommon. But, it is important the make sure there are only standoffs inserted into the case where there are corresponding holes in the motherboard. A standoff that is inserted into the case where it is not supposed to be can cause a short on the bottom of the motherboard when it connects components that it should not. If necessary a ruler might help you find out which holes in the motherboard correspond to the holes in the case. Once the correct holes in the case have been identified install standoffs into the holes by screwing them in with your hand until they are snug. No need for lots of muscle here, just finger tight will do.

(1)		(2)
(3)		(4)

Installing power supply

To install the power supply you will want to examine the locations of the vents or fans on the power supply. There should be a main fan on the area of the power supply where you plug in the power cable, but what we are interested in is the other fans or vents. Most power supplies can be mounted upside down, and this can cause fan failure. One side of the power supply should have vents or a fan (1) while the other will not (2). The vents or fan should be facing down, towards the open air of the case. With the power supply correctly oriented carefully line up the back of the power supply with the upper cut out of the case (3). While holding the power supply with one hand, use your other hand to screw the power supply in (4). There should be a total of four screws to insert (5).

(1)		(2)
(3)		(4)
(5)