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Migration
That is what I am calling it anyway.
Today, hopefully in an hour or so, FedEx will be delivering my new case and vid card.
At which point I will migrate my PC "guts" to their new home.
Any quick tips?
I have replaced lots of cards, and even a CPU cooler that required a MB removal so I think I am ready.
Comments
Quick tips?
Keep the RAM and processor + processor cooler attached to motherboard unless it's necessary to take them out at some point, but otherwise detach everything for moving to new case.
Make sure you've got motherboard's manual ready, and read the instructions when re-attaching all cables.
Yes. Take your time. Most PC building screw-ups are caused by being in a hurry to get back up and running quickly.
“Microtransactions? In a single player role-playing game? Are you nuts?”
― CD PROJEKT RED
Pretty much this and what Iselin says. The motherboard should be around 8 screws and it'll pop right out (and conversely, 8 screws to drop it into the new case). You may need to pull the heatsink or RAM to get at all the screws, but I'd see if you can get by without it first. There should be absolutely no reason to pull out the CPU and I recommend against it.
Pull out video card, then power supply, then motherboard, then all the drives (DVD/HD/etc). When installing, go in reverse order of that. Makes things a bit easier. Tidy up cables as you go, rather than trying to do it all at the end.
If you do pull the heatsink - you have to clean off all the old compound from both the top of the CPU and the bottom of the heatsink. Leave the CPU in the motherboard, it's easier to handle that way and you can't damage the pins on the back (they are ~very~ fragile). That old compound can't be reused, and the surfaces need to be very clean. Sometimes stock heatsinks use a pad, and it can get really hard and difficult to clean off - use the backside of a butter knife or something to scrape it off if you have to. But it has to be clean. When reapplying heat sink compound - a very very thin layer to both the bottom of the heatsink and top of the CPU - like butter on toast, not like peanutbutter. Just a drop and rub it around with your fingertip or a Qtip - as thin a layer as you can get without wiping it all off.
The hardest part will be getting all those tiny little jumpers from your case (the power button, reset button, LEDs, etc) back on to the motherboard once it's in your new case.
Good tips.
Vid card was being replaced so that was removed first, then the rest of the MB stayed intact.
Lots of canned air to make sure and get a clean start.
Did take it slow, and even took a break to have lunch.
A tip of my own: Twice now I have removed, (fully unplugged and taken out of case) a MB. Twice I have plugged the case wires in wrong and not had a working power switch at first startup. First time was after installing an aftermarket CPU cooler a couple years ago, and the other was today. Today I was extra careful, had on my headlamp to read the MB markings and everything, but again I flipped, and or inverted a plug. Here is the tip, look to the case plugs first, and double triple check them. hehe
I always get the LEDs backwards. Those stupid little jumper wires are the hardest part!
It' why I've always appreciated the boards that come with the little adapter for the jumpers. That really needs to be a standard quality of life feature if you ask me.