MOBO Mounting Confusion

[TheGameAce]

So I'm (finally) doing my first custom computer build, and so far I'm being driven nuts by a few little portions, mainly where the manuals aren't being overly specific or detailed. Also my apologies if there was a better category for this thread, but I figured this was the best from what I could see.

You can see the build I'm using here (minus the monitor currently): https://pcpartpicker.com/list/RZ8tzM

So far everything besides the CPU Cooler and mounting the MOBO has been a general breeze. I say that because I put a good deal too much thermal paste (which I had to clean a good bit off, and it was a general pain to mount as well) and I'm hoping it doesn't cause too much heating, and now I'm stuck on mounting the MOBO in the case.

The current problems I have now, are that the adhesive pads that (I believe) came with the MOBO, I can't currently find, even though I'm positive I had them on the table with everything else. There's also the fact that the case manual for mounting the MOBO doesn't give that clear of instructions, leaving me with several baggies of different screws, attempting to figure out what the heck is going on with it all, and of course also trying to make sure everything is aligned.

Of course by this time I'm getting very frustrated and annoyed, and I'm not even finding anything overly helpful on YouTube. Anyone able to provide a bit of clarity for me?

 

[Calvin7]

There are no motherboard adhesive pads.

Manual
https://sta3-nzxtcorporation.netdna-ssl.com/uploads/download/attachment/578/Source530-Manual-013016-ver2.pdf

all fasteners are described in detail

1) Install rear I/O panel first . Bend in any tabs that interfere with motherboard installation.
2) Motherboard is mounted on standoffs
3) screws go thru motherboard into standoffs to secure in place.
4) standoffs are placed where needed to correspond to available mounting holes in motherboard.

 

[geofelt]

For reference, here is my canned build process:
MY build process:

Before anything, while waiting for your parts to be delivered, download
and read, cover to cover your case and motherboard manual.
Buy a #2 magnetic tip phillips screwdriver.

1. I assemble all the parts outside of the case.
That lets me test them for functuonality easily.
A wood table or cardboard is fine.
2. Plug in only the necessary parts at first. Ram, cpu, cooler, psu.
Do not force anything. Parts fit only one way.
Attach a monitor to the integrated motherboard adapter.
3. If your motherboard does not have a PWR button, momentarily touch the two pwr front panel pins
4. Repeatedly hit F2 or DEL, and that should get you into the bios display.
5. Boot from a cd or usb stick with memtest86+ on it. memtest will exercise your ram and cpu functionality.
6. Install windows.
7. Install the motherboard cd drivers. Particularly the lan drivers so you can access the internet.
Do not select the easy install option, or you will get a bunch of utilities and trialware that you don't want. Drivers only.
7. Connect to the internet and install an antivirus program. Microsoft security essentials is free, easy, and unobtrusive.
8. Install your graphics card and driver.
You will need to remove the graphics card later to install your motherboard in the case.
Make a note of how the graphics card latches into the pcie slot.

9. Update windows to currency.
10. Only now do I take apart what I need to and install it in the case.
11. Now is the time to reinstall your graphics card.

As to your issues:

1. I would take the cooler off and clean both the cooler and the cpu die with alcohol.
Too much paste acts as an insulator.
A small rice sized drop of paste in the middle should be sufficient.
It is hard to use too much.

2. take your parts bag and find the motherboard mounting screws. test fit them to the mounts in the case to be certain you get the right size. The threads will look similar, so test fit them all.3.
make a note of where the case mount posts and motherboard holes match up.

3. Install the I/o panel in the case.


4. slide the motherboard and cooler into the case and fit to the I/o panel first.
You may need to push a bit to get the motherboard to fit.
I screw in one of the posts near the I/o plate first, one diagonally opposite next.
Leave them all loose and snug them up when all are in properly.
The magnetic tip screwdriver is invaluable for this process.

I have no idea what adhesive pads you have or what they might be used for.
Possibly to attach a cooler to the m.2 drive?? if so, they are not necessary.

When you install windows to the ssd, leave the hard drive disconnected so you do not put a recovery partition on it.

 

[TheGameAce]

For reference, here is my canned build process:
MY build process:

Before anything, while waiting for your parts to be delivered, download
and read, cover to cover your case and motherboard manual.
Buy a #2 magnetic tip phillips screwdriver.

1. I assemble all the parts outside of the case.
That lets me test them for functuonality easily.
A wood table or cardboard is fine.
2. Plug in only the necessary parts at first. Ram, cpu, cooler, psu.
Do not force anything. Parts fit only one way.
Attach a monitor to the integrated motherboard adapter.
3. If your motherboard does not have a PWR button, momentarily touch the two pwr front panel pins
4. Repeatedly hit F2 or DEL, and that should get you into the bios display.
5. Boot from a cd or usb stick with memtest86+ on it. memtest will exercise your ram and cpu functionality.
6. Install windows.
7. Install the motherboard cd drivers. Particularly the lan drivers so you can access the internet.
Do not select the easy install option, or you will get a bunch of utilities and trialware that you don't want. Drivers only.
7. Connect to the internet and install an antivirus program. Microsoft security essentials is free, easy, and unobtrusive.
8. Install your graphics card and driver.
You will need to remove the graphics card later to install your motherboard in the case.
Make a note of how the graphics card latches into the pcie slot.

9. Update windows to currency.
10. Only now do I take apart what I need to and install it in the case.
11. Now is the time to reinstall your graphics card.

As to your issues:

1. I would take the cooler off and clean both the cooler and the cpu die with alcohol.
Too much paste acts as an insulator.
A small rice sized drop of paste in the middle should be sufficient.
It is hard to use too much.

2. take your parts bag and find the motherboard mounting screws. test fit them to the mounts in the case to be certain you get the right size. The threads will look similar, so test fit them all.3.
make a note of where the case mount posts and motherboard holes match up.

3. Install the I/o panel in the case.


4. slide the motherboard and cooler into the case and fit to the I/o panel first.
You may need to push a bit to get the motherboard to fit.
I screw in one of the posts near the I/o plate first, one diagonally opposite next.
Leave them all loose and snug them up when all are in properly.
The magnetic tip screwdriver is invaluable for this process.

I have no idea what adhesive pads you have or what they might be used for.
Possibly to attach a cooler to the m.2 drive?? if so, they are not necessary.

When you install windows to the ssd, leave the hard drive disconnected so you do not put a recovery partition on it.

Alright, I heavily appreciate the response, and honestly wish I had known all that before I started. Oh well though, lesson learned for the next time at least.
I honestly after all the work so far would rather not remove absolutely everything from the MOBO, especially since I'm using this old computer currently for online access, and it contains both the PSU and GPU that I'm using for the build, which was my temporary solution when I didn't have enough to complete the build.

I'll give a bit of my own extra detail, to see if that helps a bit;
*Assembling everything on a large wood table, does have an area rug underneath. Been making sure to touch the case frequently just as a precaution since I'm not using a wristband to prevent static.
*Case has both sides off and is laying on it's side on a towel, with Optical Drive and HDD already in place, but not yet connected. (Picture for reference; https://gyazo.com/63f31784aab8636d811ba192a8db3e45)
*Applied pretty well the entire tube of the thermal paste... Some of it did end up spilling over, but it didn't seem to go too far. Cleaned it up the best I could (left a little bit of it I couldn't reach) with Q-Tips, including cleaning off a bit of the excess from the top edges.
Also, with Alcohol, would it have to be just little dabs applied, and then dried off with something afterward? Since it's a liquid substance, I just want to make sure I don't accidentally damage anything.

Can provide any other details if needed. Also still trying to figure out how to burn Windows 10 onto my USB, and then install it to the SSD specifically, although the installation bit sounds like you just leave the HDD unplugged until after the install, and then shut down and plug it in?

(Also, I obviously if I clean all the paste off will need more, so if I do that, does it matter what paste I go with, or just any thermal paste designed for the purpose?)

 

[geofelt]

A whole tube is waay too much.
Under pressure and heat, what you installed would ooze out and make a mess.
A single small drop will spread under heat and pressure.
It should last you10 remounts.
It would really be best to mount the cooler again.
Alcohol evaporates, it is a good cleaner. the more pure the better. 91%
I use paper coffee filters to do the cleaning.
That paper does not leave threads or lint like a cloth or qtips would.
Apply some alcohol to the paper and wipe off all the old paste.
You may need to do it again to get it cleaner.
The final time, you should see no paste on the paper.
Do both the cpu and the cooler.
Leave the cpu in the socket, no need to dismount it.
Most any paste is ok. There may be a few degrees in capability.
I like AS5.

 

[TheGameAce]

A whole tube is waay too much.
Under pressure and heat, what you installed would ooze out and make a mess.
A single small drop will spread under heat and pressure.
It should last you10 remounts.
It would really be best to mount the cooler again.
Alcohol evaporates, it is a good cleaner. the more pure the better. 91%
I use paper coffee filters to do the cleaning.
That paper does not leave threads or lint like a cloth or qtips would.
Apply some alcohol to the paper and wipe off all the old paste.
You may need to do it again to get it cleaner.
The final time, you should see no paste on the paper.
Do both the cpu and the cooler.
Leave the cpu in the socket, no need to dismount it.
Most any paste is ok. There may be a few degrees in capability.
I like AS5.

I think I'll still try to be careful with the Alcohol, just to be on the safe side. Will try to get AS5, but so far not having luck with finding any in stores locally.
Appreciate all the assistance you've given me! Will post another update here if I have issues/when I've finished.

 

[geofelt]

MX-2 and shin-etsu are also good.
Really, any will do.

 

[TheGameAce]

MX-2 and shin-etsu are also good.
Really, any will do.

Managed to get some AS5 from a local store, and after careful cleaning, successfully re-mounted the Cooler
First time around took towards 30 minutes or more, this time only took about 5.

Now I just have to figure out the mounting in the case, shut this computer down and remove the PSU and GPU, hook everything up, and boot it up for the first time.

 

[TheGameAce]

Would just like to say thank you, Geofelt. Everything is now successfully up and running, and it's smooth as butter

 

[geofelt]