So, I recently ordered a new Video Card, Power Supply and Case, and am moving my old PC guts into the new case, it's going to be my first time doing anything like this. So, I'm just throwing it out there, if anyone has any tips, things I should be carefull of, etc, I'd appreciate it.. Rather not break my machine, y'know? x] Thanks guys.

Yea, what are you moving it from? A Dell or other pre-built machine? If so you're going to have a fun time trying to get the LEDs and switches to work

If there are no concerns with the front panel interface, then you should be good. Just make sure the standoffs are in place, the correct height (if they came with the case, which they usually do, then they're probably the right height). Install the PSU first since sometimes the space is so small that you have to maneuver it through the motherboard area.

Begin cable-management the second you start installing anything with a cable (PSU). Look for ways to anchor cables away from the flow of air and the motherboard. Sometimes you can position parts, such as fans, so that the cable lengths are ideal for wrapping around the fan body or strapping it to the chasis, so keep that in mind as well. Also try to find spots to hide groups of cables, like behind the HDD cage. Front intake fans should never have cables running in to the main area. Those cables should almost always be hidden, or at most plugged in to the motherboard but the cable run behind the HDDs.

Put hard-drives in front of an intake fan. This will help it stay cooler and it'll live longer.

OH and I did forget something...make sure you plug everything in correctly. Any missing part, especially the aux. power plugins for CPU and mobo, will make you cry. And make sure you understand where the computer power switch/reset/HDD LED/Power LED plugs are located on the board and how they're arranged. You usually need a motherboard instruction book to help with that, so if you don't, download and print it off before you swap.

I'm sure I forgot a bunch, but this should help a bit. Good luck on your swap

Alright, thanks for all the info. Yeah, I got a pre-built HP, so, I know it'll be hell.. x] But it's gotta be done, can't fit an 8800GT into my current case.

This is the case I'm getting http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811156190

So, yeah, lots of LEDs, gonna be fun..

It might not be possible :-/ Most of the pre-built computers have proprietory plugins for their front panels. Unelss you can splice the wires to the board, you'll have to get a new motherboard too. You generally have to have separate plugs for each LED/switch. If the HP has a block that they're all plugged in to (bunch of wires in one block), you may not be able to plug in your power switch and turn on your PC.

Holy crap that case has a... um... statement to make. anyway if you haven't bought it yet the CM 690 is much nicer and more elegant and even cheaper.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119137

Knowing my luck, I'll probably have that problem. Do you think it'd be possible to get it professionaly done? Also, how does replacing a mobo work? Do you just buy one, or does that like wipe out your data? Total noob when it comes to motherboards.

excellent choice on a case, i have nearly the same one... different face pannel, and it's all green and black *hooottt*.

anyway, installing everything in this case should be a breeze. All of the drives are toolless... and yes the harddrive mounts just jam in the holes in the side.. it's a tight fit, but don't worry, it doesn't screw up the threads, just jam em in there. the fold out mobo tray is a godsend. and one thing i would give you that is !!!CRUCIAL!!! DO NOT REMOVE THE FILM ON THE WINDOWS UNTILL YOUR INSTALL IS 100% COMPLETE!

The reason for this is that window has a lot of static build up on it, and will be a problem for some time to come, but will slowly dissapate. Static build up= shock = dead parts. So just leave the film on till it's all up and runing...

ermm... oh yeah, that video card holder thing doesn't really work with big fans and what not, but if your vid card is reference, you'll be fine... (fans that stick out past side of card.

i just removed mine.

also the molex connector for the front fan was hiding for mine, so i forgot to connect it. but it's there...

errm... oh yeah. 80mm led fan on side of the thing is the loudest fan, it's starting to annoy me... but that's easily fixed with a fan controller and/or new fan.


and on to the build. yeah... yeah the front panel connectors are going to be the worst. most of that crap is proprietary if you got it from a 'manufacturer' Sucks trying to transplant it... but i'm sure you can find a diagram as mentioned above. Other than that you should be pretty well off. oh... and... you may want to make sure your motherboard currently resides on the correct side of the case.... i've noticed some MFG's switched them to the opposite side to further annoy it's customers/pc techs. :-p

Well, it's a little more complicated than just swapping at that point. You need to find a board that will support your processor, RAM, and video card interface. After you find a board you will probably have to reinstall Windows using the disk that came with the PC which might be difficult, but doable. You'll most likely have to talk to a Microsoft tech who will give you a new CD-Key for the install since your board changed. They're pretty easy to deal with. On the other hand, it might not really notice a change at all with the same chipset. You'll have to know how to install Windows, do the updates, drivers, reinstall all your programs, and make sure not to loose important data by backing it all up to CD or another drive (external or otherwise). You can opt to move it to a folder outside of your Windows directory and do a reinstall without reformatting the drive which will retain your stuff, but you will still need to reinstall most programs because they have registry entries in Windows that would now be missing.

It's a little more complicated to get a new board, but I think that might be your only option. If you can find out which two pins control the power switch, you can try to splice a single black plugin to each wire coming out of the power switch itself and plug it in that way...you just need to know which prong is which and I doubt there are any manuals for that board online and I don't know anyone that would "professionally" modify something like that because of the obvious legal ramifications if such a job fails, but asking around might be worth it. Get price quotes though since most PC repair places charge at least $80/hour with a 1-hour minimum charge. For that kind of money you can probably get a motherboard.

So again, good luck with that.

Heh, my friend said I should just get a big plexy-glass box, leave everything spread out inside it, though connected. rofl =) Anyways, if I fail to get the stuff working in the new case I'll just slap myself for ever buying a pre-built machine, and try to find some way to modify my old case to fit everything x]

hacksaw and dremel. just make sure you remove everything first (as would seem obvious to some....but there are a TON of morons on this planet)