Installing the Motherboard
Installing the motherboard in your homebuilt computer usually is pretty easy (though sometimes knuckle-busting). Basically you just line up the board with the mounting holes and rear-panel openings, and then screw it in. (If you purchased a barebones computer kit
Read the Manual!
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Before actually installing the motherboard, read the motherboard manual (it's that paper thing that came in the box) to make sure absolutely sure that it is compatible with the processor and RAM that you will be using and that the jumper settings, if any, are correct. Most modern motherboards have a "jumper-free" option that can be selected (usually by setting a jumper, amusingly enough) that will allow you to control the motherboard settings from the keyboard during CMOS setup.
Determine Which Mounting Holes You will be Using
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About the only difficult part of installing a motherboard is matching up the mounting holes in the mobo with the ones on the case. In theory the mounting hole locations are standardized; but in practice, it's a rare thing to find a case and motherboard whose mounting holes exactly correspond. More often, you will have to look at the mounting holes in the motherboard to determine which mounting holes on the case you will be using.
Installing the Standoffs
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Once you have determined which mounting holes you will be using, you will need to insert standoffs in the corresponding holes in the computer case. There are several types of standoffs, with the ones on the right being the most common. The purpose of standoffs is to separate the back of the motherboard from the metal case. You install the standoffs in the mounting holes in the case that correspond to the holes in your motherboard.
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The standoffs are screwed or inserted into the chassis, and the mobo in turn is attached to the standoffs through the mounting holes in the motherboard. This creates a small space that prevents the back of the motherboard from shorting out against the metal case.
Don't be surprised if your motherboard has "extra" holes for which there are no corresponding holes in the case. This is normal. Very few cases and motherboards will match exactly. As long as you use all the mounting holes that do match, you'll be fine.
Standoffs should NOT be inserted into any "extra" holes, however. Standoffs installed in holes on the case that have no corresponding holes in the motherboard can cause the motherboard to short out. And don't over-tighten them. Hand-tight plus a smidgen is enough.
Install the Motherboard
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Once you have the correct standoffs inserted, lay the motherboard into the case, line up the mounting holes and the rear-panel connectors, and screw it down. Usually, the easiest way to do this is to lay the motherboard over the standoffs slightly forward of the rear panel connectors, then slide it back into the rear panel connectors until the mounting holes line up. Then screw the board down.
Don't over tighten the screws! You will crack the motherboard if you do! They should be snug, not excessively tight. Use a standard screwdriver, not an electric or powered one.
Attach the Power Connectors
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Finally, connect the ATX power connector from the power supply to the motherboard. Do this now. If you forget about it and later fire up your computer while the ATX connector is not connected to anything, then you will fry your computer's power supply.
On Pentium 4 and some other high-powered computers, you will also have to connect the P4 connector to the motherboard.
At this point, take a look at the motherboard and case and once again review your assembly sequence plan to see what should be installed next. In our case, the next step was Installing the Processor.
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