SPCR

Ok, so im building a system, but im thinking there isa specific order to do everything in, especially on the mobo. tell me if thsi looks right


(3000+ Venice, 512x2 Corsair XMS, xp-90 w/ nexus 92, nexus 120 exhaust, Asus A8N-E, Gigabyte 6600GT passive, Zalman NB HS, dvd rw, HD, slk3000b, s12 380)


1. Insert ram
2. Install cpu and apply artic silver 5, and xp-90 w/ fan
3. Installl Graphics card
4. Remove Fan Grills from case
5. Insert Mobo in case and Assemble rest of system


THEN, after making sure everything runs fine, instal heatsink on the northbridge. Im assuming this should be done last, AFTER running the system, to make sure the mobo works fine, before voiding the warranty. Am i missing anything guys, anything in the wrong order???

I would not install the video card until the mb is completely installed. That is because you need to line it up with the PCI slot cover and PCI screws.

I installed my Zalman HS on the chipset before installing the mb, because it is easier to remove the OEM HSF from the bottom (snipped off the plastic pins protruding from the bottom of mb).

you are right, moo2a. I forgot, put hte VGA in after the mobo is in the case...



But isn't the warrnaty voided if i remove the stock HSF on the A8N-E, so don't i want to amke sure it works first........

thanks tho, i would felt silly mountin the mobo w/ the VGA on...

I don't know if the warranty is voided if you remove the HSF. If you send it back to the retailer, and rigged the HSF back on, then I don't think a retailer would notice. But I am not sure if you can send defective boards to the retailer or whether you have to send it to Asus.

BTW, the stock fan is prone to fail on this board, and people who call Asus are getting new "improved" versions sent to them with no questions asked. Not sure if it is just the fan or the whole HSF that is being replaced. This has been reported in other forums and newsgroups.

Fair enough. your remarks make enough sense. Thanks for the help


...you seem to be all over this board m0002a... keep up the great advice for those who need it like me

I would put the cpu heatsink on after mounting the mobo because it will be hard to access some of the screws on the motherboard if you put the heatsink on first

If putting on an XP-90 is like the XP-120, you want to do this BEFORE putting in the case. The clips take some force to attach doing it inside the case could make it more difficult than it needs to be.

I had no problem getting to the screw holes, and an XP-120 is much larger than a XP-90.

GUNNER wrote:If putting on an XP-90 is like the XP-120, you want to do this BEFORE putting in the case. The clips take some force to attach doing it inside the case could make it more difficult than it needs to be.

I had no problem getting to the screw holes, and an XP-120 is much larger than a XP-90.

I also had no problem installing the A8N-E motherboard with the XP-120 already mounted on it. I have also mounted an XP-120 after the motherboard is installed. Since the XP-120 (and XP-90) are a little tricky the first time you mount one, it is easier to do before you install the MB.

I'd do any case mods such as the fan grille removal before anything else. This way you can clean up the clase before you install the new hardware.

I'd then install any drives to get them up and out of the way since you normally wont be moving them again.

The next thing is install the CPU/HSF, memory and then the motherboard. The next is the video card and then boot the system. See if you can get into the bios to adjust things as needed. Then you can hookup the drives and install any additional pci cards.

m0002a wrote:

GUNNER wrote:If putting on an XP-90 is like the XP-120, you want to do this BEFORE putting in the case. The clips take some force to attach doing it inside the case could make it more difficult than it needs to be.

I had no problem getting to the screw holes, and an XP-120 is much larger than a XP-90.

I also had no problem installing the A8N-E motherboard with the XP-120 already mounted on it. I have also mounted an XP-120 after the motherboard is installed. Since the XP-120 (and XP-90) are a little tricky the first time you mount one, it is easier to do before you install the MB.

I just installed an XP-90 without removing MB. Pretty easy if you figure out how the clips attach to bracket. Do a dry run (no thermal grease) first and follow instructions on Artic Silver website.

jackylman wrote:I just installed an XP-90 without removing MB. Pretty easy if you figure out how the clips attach to bracket. Do a dry run (no thermal grease) first and follow instructions on Artic Silver website.

It certainly can be done. I have mounted an XP-120 both ways (before and after MB install).

But the XP-120 is much wider than XP-90 and it is hard to see how the clips install once the MB is installed. So if I had a choice, I would install the HSF before MB install. But I would not remove an already installed MB just to install the HSF.