do i install gpu after MOBO is installed in my case or after?

[Brock Tremel]

can i just install my mobo in my case with the gpu on it or should i install the gpu after the case is screwed in? (also same goes for cpu fan and cpu can i just put mobo in my case without taking the cpu fan and cpu off or can i just plop it in with them on?)

 

[Brock Tremel]

I mean before or after *

 

[ss202sl]

It has to be installed after. There is part of the GPU that gets screwed into the case to help support it so it has to be installed after the MB is in the case.

 

[ss202sl]

The CPU can be installed before or after the MB is put into the case. In fact some coolers have a back plate that is required to be installed, and some cases don't have a window(or cutout) to allow access too install the backplate, so it may have to be installed before the MB is put in the case.

 

[geofelt]

It is best to test out your parts outside of the case first.
If you encounter any issues, it is easier to find and fix outside of the case.
It eliminates issues such as case/motherboard shorts as an issue.
If your motherboard does not have a power button, momentarily touch the two front panel pwr pins with a flat blade screwdriver to start the motherboard.

That would include the cpu, cooler and ram at least.
Use either integrated graphics or temporarily install the graphics card.
Boot into bios and run memtest86+ to check things out.
I even do my windows install outside of the case.

And as an answer to your original question, the graphics card must be installed after the motherboard is in the case. There are rear panel screws that need to go in last to fix the graphics card to the case.

While you are at it, note carefully how the latch that secures the opposite end of the card to the slot works.
You may want to later release that catch for a graphics card change.