Testing a new system - outside the case

[dgre005]

Over the past few years I've been building computers as a hobby, but always within a case...is there some way of actually testing
a system prior to installing all the components in a case? Troubleshooting within a case is a bit of a pain, so I was wondering if
you could give me any sugggestions about an 'external testing platform'...would a piece of wood with 6 drilled mobo holes be ok?
Or should I look at finding an old case and rip the motherboard tray out?

Thanks for any ideas.

 

[jsmith89]

I'd say go with the motherboard tray. Very convenient. It is what I used to test my build.

 

[lowriderflow]

if you buy a decent case these days the mobo mounts on the back panel... and it folds down. - so basically you mount hte motherboard, and fold down the back panel flat on the ground and there you go... have a wide open area to work on. Then when you're all set, you just fold the back panel back up into the case.

if you want a visual to help this make more sense... I have the Raidmax Smilidon case. Look it up online/newegg and look at some pics of how it opens up to let you work on the motherboard without having to do anything

 

[cadder]

You can just lay the parts out on your table or workbench, plug it all together and go.

In the old days I would build systems this way on the carpeted floor in front of my tv. People would say that this isn't wise because of the static electricity factor but I never had an problems. I wouldn't do it today though because now I would worry about it.

 

[dgre005]

Thanks for all your suggestions...I guess eventually I can buy a case like lowriderflow mentioned, but for the moment I'll just have to make do with building on a table/finding an old case

 

[dgre005]

Best answer selected by dgre005.

 

[geofelt]

You do not need a case to test.

I routinely put the motherboard on the mobo box on top of the anti-static wrap.
Attach your psu and parts and test away.
If your mobo does not have a pwr button, just use a small screwdriver to make contact with the two pwr switch pins.
I just run memtest, and then put the parts in the case with assurance that I have good parts.

 

[tecmo34]

^+1...

Also, with fold out motherboard trays, you have to watch the height of your heat sink at it can interfere with closing the tray back up.