How hard is it to change pc cases

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Aclark0712

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Aug 10, 2015
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Hi, I have recently put a lot of upgrades into my pc and am looking to move it all into a new case because my current case is too small and isnt getting sufficient airflow. How hard is it to move from one case to another, and how do you do it.

Thanks for helping :)
 
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synphul
It's not overly complicated. Depending on what components you have and what case you're moving them from and to. You unplug everything and move it to the new case. Say you have a standard build with mobo, cpu/cooler, gpu, ssd, hdd etc. I would start by turning off the pc and unplugging the power to the back of the power supply. Remove the power cable from the graphics card, removed the retaining screw(s) at the i/o panel (where the monitor plugs in at and don't forget to unplug the monitor). Pull the gpu out and set it aside. Unplug the data and power cables from the hdd/ssd and remove them from the drive trays or mounts. Unplug the sata cables from the motherboard and set the cables aside. Remove the cpu cooler from the cpu and unplug...
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synphul

synphul

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Mar 11, 2011
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It's not overly complicated. Depending on what components you have and what case you're moving them from and to. You unplug everything and move it to the new case. Say you have a standard build with mobo, cpu/cooler, gpu, ssd, hdd etc. I would start by turning off the pc and unplugging the power to the back of the power supply. Remove the power cable from the graphics card, removed the retaining screw(s) at the i/o panel (where the monitor plugs in at and don't forget to unplug the monitor). Pull the gpu out and set it aside. Unplug the data and power cables from the hdd/ssd and remove them from the drive trays or mounts. Unplug the sata cables from the motherboard and set the cables aside. Remove the cpu cooler from the cpu and unplug it from the fan header on the mobo.

If you can't access the back of the cooler (if needed), you may be able to leave it installed and be careful moving the motherboard with the cpu cooler attached especially if it's a larger aftermarket air cooler. If it's an aio water cooler, the radiator will have to be unscrewed from the case and the fan(s) unplugged from the motherboard. You can leave the ram intact usually.

Unplug the cpu power cable and motherboard main power and any fans plugged into the motherboard along with the case front panel ports/pwr connections (usually along the lower side of the motherboard. Unscrew all the screws holding the motherboard in and lift it out making sure nothing is plugged into the back on the io plane, mouse, keyboard, usb, audio - everything needs unplugged.

Depending on the case, you may have to route the cables through the back of the motherboard tray and out through grommets or holes in the motherboard tray. Once the power supply is completely detached from all components, unscrew it from the case and remove it. Go back through everything you did in reverse order and reinstall in the new case. If something seems 'stuck' don't force it and try to sort out why it's stuck. If it's bumping against part of the case you may have to wiggle it. Make sure there's no wires/cables still attached keeping a part from coming out. Better to go slow and steady if unsure rather than force anything and cause damage by yanking a cable out and bending pins or snapping/stressing connection points.
 
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Aclark0712

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Yea I understand what I have to do its just I dont know exactly how to remove everything and I dont want to break anything

 
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Cons29

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for optical drives and hdd's/ssd's, (if you case still uses screws) then screws are usually at the sides, usually 4.
for expansion cards (gpu, sound cards, etc), usually 1 screw at the back of the case (inside)
please note that cases today tend to have tool less mounts so you can just remove them using those mechanisms by just your hands.

for the heatsink, you will likely dont need to remove them.

for the boards, several scres all over, just look for them. then in the new case, it depends on where the stand off's will be (usually you have to install them yourself depending on the holes that you want to use for the mounting of the board.
for the psu, just a few screws at the back.
for the rest, a quick youtube should help you out. actually you will most likely find a visual guide on youtube for everything
 
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synphul

synphul

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Like Cons29 said, most everything is held in place with screws. Newer cases may use unique retention methods for hard drives or optical disc drives, if in doubt try to look it up. There are youtube vids for just about anything. Your main tool will be a phillips head screwdriver, usually a #2 is best (med/small).

Here's a basic view inside of a case. This one uses easy mounts for the hard drive trays, you pinch the tabs inward and the sled comes out. Most likely the sled is screwed to the bottom of the hard drive. It also uses modern clips for the optical drives. Your case may just use small screws on either side (you'll have to remove the other side panel as well to get to them), then once unscrewed and cables removed, the optical drive slides out the front. In red are the motherboard screws, many full atx boards have 9, this one only has 6. A couple of them aren't visible because of the angle of the photo and the location of the ram and cpu cooler. In green are the gpu mount screws. Notice the area in blue, you may have to look with a flashlight. Some modern pcie slots have a small plastic tab that's either hinged like the keepers for the ram sticks or just works off of pressure. It locks the gpu card into the pcie slot, so don't just yank the gpu out once it's unscrewed or you may damage the board. You may have to tuck your finger or thumb back there close to the motherboard to release it as you gently wiggle the gpu card left/right while slightly pulling to 'rock' it out of the pcie slot. If it doesn't move out of the slot, something is hung up.

http://prntscr.com/8eaaoy

Here's another view of a bare motherboard to better show the mounting holes (in the red boxes) and a better view of the small retaining tab for the graphics card I mentioned (in blue).
http://prntscr.com/8eaczq

At the back of the case are 4 screws for the power supply (one is usually offset from the others), there are 4 screws for the rear exhaust fan.
http://prntscr.com/8eady9

If you have any other questions about a particular component if you can't figure out how to get it apart snap a pic of it with a phone or something and post the pic and ask. Many people here have built a ton of systems and I'm sure can help you sort it out. Patience and care are your two best tools for the job. Most parts of a pc are small soft screws where the head can easily strip out if you're rough with it or some variation of plastic in the form of retention mechanisms and brute force/impatience can result in broken things. It's not made of eggshells but you can't beat on it like it's a '55 ford either.
 
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