Even though it’s not your computer’s most visually appealing component, the motherboard is one of the most critical. It’s also the largest, making installation more difficult, but it’s not impossible if you’re cautious. Step-by-step instructions for installing a new motherboard are provided here, regardless of the size of your motherboard or the kind of case you have.
The first step is to have your equipment ready.
Gathering the necessary equipment and safeguarding your system and yourself is critical before beginning any PC component installation. As a result, you should wear an anti-static wristband throughout the facility and avoid working on carpeted floors.
A long Phillips head screwdriver, particularly one with a weakly magnetic tip, is required for working on a motherboard. To get any lost screws out of your PC case, you’ll want to have a set of needle-nose pliers on hand.
If you have doubts about your motherboard, consult its manual, which should be readily available in bright, well-lit areas.
Screw the standoffs into place.
We don’t want your case’s conductive chassis to come into touch with your motherboard, which is a delicate piece of electronics. As a result, the standoffs must be installed before the motherboard. You can screw the motherboard straight into these since they are male screws with female heads. They’re usually brass, although you’ll see them painted black. In a tiny bag that came with your motherboard or case, you should have found a few of them. Many patients have them pre-installed, although not necessarily for the precise motherboard shape or size you’re using.
Your motherboard and case manual or the notes on the motherboard tray will tell you which screws you need and where to put them. Screw them in manually after you’ve discovered the right spots. While getting them in might be painful, you shouldn’t require special equipment. If you have to, it’s probably because the standoff alignment isn’t quite correct, so you’re being too cautious. Re-evaluate your setup and give it another go.
The I/O shield must now be installed.
Installing the I/O shield is the last step before the motherboard is implemented. The silver or black panel protects the motherboards backports and is included in the motherboard’s packaging. Locate it and insert it into your case’s back gap. The direction should be evident but double-check before pushing it in.
Install the motherboard.
Installing the CPU isn’t necessary, although it’s an option. Here’s how to install a CPU, regardless of whether it’s AMD or Intel. If your case has a front-facing opening, you may be able to drop the motherboard into the matter more quickly if you approach it from an upward angle. Make sure that the screw holes on the board are aligned with the spacers you’ve set before attaching them. It should also fit perfectly into the rear I/O shield, so no metal should be covering up any of the ports on the back.
Screws that came with your motherboard should be used. Putting in the first few screws may need you holding the motherboard in place, but you should have no problem putting the rest in after they are in. Unscrew the standoffs and start again if you feel like you’re pushing it. Before tightening the screws one by one, walk around and pull them all one at a time once you’ve positioned them.
Connecting the electrical power supplies
You’ll also need to plug in the motherboard’s power cords to provide it with electricity. Most boards will use a 24-pin long connection and a smaller, four or eight-pin connector for this purpose. If you installed it correctly, the first one should be on the right side of the motherboard, and the second should be at the top. Refer to your motherboard’s documentation to make sure of the exact location.
Afterward, carefully put the wires into the slot, ensuring they are oriented appropriately. If you’re unsure, examine the design of the power sockets, which are rounded and squared to prevent improper inputs. It’s time to proceed with the rest of your construction. Visit our PC building guide for more details.
Step-by-step instructions on how to swap out the motherboard
If you’ve never done it before, replacing a PC’s motherboard may take a long time and much work. When removing and reinstalling the motherboard, you may encounter several little difficulties. However, do not be alarmed! We’ll do our best to make the process as straightforward as feasible for you.
Let’s start with the primary reason for upgrading your motherboard.
It is impossible to predict when a component may fail. Similarly, motherboards are not unique. Many of my motherboards have been damaged due to bad BIOS flashing and faulty power supply. Things happen, and your motherboard may suffer permanent damage as a result. A motherboard replacement requires a lot of time and work. Double-check your motherboard to ensure it’s not broken before doing anything. To determine the problem with your motherboard, utilize one of these helpful flow charts.
New Motherboard Compatible With Your Processor
A suitable motherboard must be found for your current (or future) CPU. A wide range of processor sockets is used in both sectors. Socket FM2+ motherboards are required for AMD APUs, for example. Do a Google search for the socket form of your CPU, and then browse for motherboards compatible with that socket form.
Still, picking a motherboard that matches your PC’s color design is up to you. We can’t help you in this area. You’ll need another if you don’t have enough ports on your motherboard.
The Motherboard’s Dimensions
Having a list of compatible motherboards is the first step; the size of the board comes next. This selection is heavily influenced by the motherboard size that your computer case can accommodate. Certain ATX circumstances can also handle mATX and even smaller ITX motherboards, but these are rare.
Decide on a Spending Plan.
After that, the only thing left to think about is how much it will cost. It is possible to purchase a good motherboard for approximately $80; however, until around $250, you can obtain substantially better motherboards for your money. The cost of similar motherboards from different manufacturers seems to be within $10 of one another.
Removal Of An Old Motherboard is the fourth step.
Removing a motherboard previously installed in a PC case is a straightforward task. (Confirm that the circumstances are favorable.) If you’re interested, here’s the procedure:
Remove the screws on the back of the case holding the GPU.
Remove the clasp that holds the PCIe slot in place. Find it on the right-hand side of the port.
Remove the graphics card (GPU) from the motherboard and restart the computer.
Remove all of the motherboard’s wires.
Remove a screw, and then continue.
Remove the motherboard from the casing by prying it out from the back.
The New Motherboard Is Ready To Be Installed
To install a new motherboard, we must reverse the process of removing the old one. We won’t go into the process of installing the CPU or the cooler since the motherboard can do it previously. It’s essential to remember that the board’s size will dictate the standoffs’ location.
