Can I mount a CPU cooler in the case before adding the Motherboard in a new build?

Polar Papa · Mar 5, 2016

I'm building my first PC and concerned over the sequence order I have seen. Most things I have read state to insert Mo-bo, then CPU/DRAM, then other parts and CPU cooler. My concern with this sequence is the heavy radiator from the CPU AIO cooler falling inside the case while I'm attaching it and causing damage to the Mobo/CPU/DRAM.

It seems to make more sense to me to Mount/Secure the radiator to the case first, then install the Mobo/CPU/DRAM. Then, once I have the mo-bo in the case to go ahead and attach the cooling plate to the CPU.

Link to my Build:
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QUESTIONS
1. Should I mount the AIO radiator/cooler to my case first (before Mobo/CPU/DRAM)?
2. Should I install my PSU at the very begining and plug it into the wall so I can use it for grounding purposes? Or, just plug it into the wall outside of the case for grounding purposes and install it into case mid-way through build?
3. Thermal Paste? Any recommendations on brand/model? I assumed the Thermaltake Ring Cooler came with paste, but apparently it doesn't (haven't seen any in the box).

Compuser10165 · Mar 5, 2016

You can install the AIO cooler beforte installing the moobo. You can also install the psu before attaching the mobo but don't connect any cables just yet (maybe the supply cable for grounding if you want to be extra safe). I built my first pc in november last year (i7 6700k dark Rock pro 3 cpu cooler) and I attached the cooler to the motherboard outside of the case and then installed the motherboard into the case as there was very little room to tight uppermost 2 screws from the cpu cooler (someone helped me as I attached the cooler). It wasn't ideal but it worked (the manual was useless and online peaople reccommeded screwing from the back while installe in the case but that was to hard to achieve). In terms of thermal paste I used the included thermal paste (can't remeber the model as it was pretty hard to find). I can recommend Arctic Silver 5, ARCTIC MX-4 , Noctua NT-H1 etc. I only used Arctic Silver 5 for some laptops and a few desktops and compared to the one included in my cooler it was denser and more difficult to spread.

Polar Papa · Mar 5, 2016

Compuser10165 :

Thanks for the info. So, it sounds like it can be done.

Has anyone done this with a liquid AIO CPU cooler, like the Thermaltake Riing 3.0 I'm using. I want to mount the radiator part of the cooling unit to the case at the begining of the build, then attach the cooling plate to the CPU later--once I've installed the mo-bo. I want to make sure there is not a hazard in doing this, or a logistics issue with the radiator being in the way of mounting the mo-bo (like would the radiator block the mo-bo from being able to be installed?)

Compuser10165 · Mar 7, 2016

Polar Papa :

Compuser10165 :

Thanks for the info. So, it sounds like it can be done.

Has anyone done this with a liquid AIO CPU cooler, like the Thermaltake Riing 3.0 I'm using. I want to mount the radiator part of the cooling unit to the case at the begining of the build, then attach the cooling plate to the CPU later--once I've installed the mo-bo. I want to make sure there is not a hazard in doing this, or a logistics issue with the radiator being in the way of mounting the mo-bo (like would the radiator block the mo-bo from being able to be installed?)

I don't think your radiator will prevent you from mounting the motherboard, but it depends on the case and motherboard you have (still I don't think it will be an issue on most configurations.). You can do as you have described and in the rare chance it doesn't work, you can just start over (removing the radiator, etc.) as there wouldn't be any issue with that.

Polar Papa · Mar 7, 2016

Compuser10165 :

Polar Papa :

I don't think your radiator will prevent you from mounting the motherboard, but it depends on the case and motherboard you have (still I don't think it will be an issue on most configurations.). You can do as you have described and in the rare chance it doesn't work, you can just start over (removing the radiator, etc.) as there wouldn't be any issue with that.

...yes, I guess you are right. Put it in...if it's in the way, take it back out!

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Can I mount a CPU cooler in the case before adding the Motherboard in a new build?

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