How to Install Motherboard

Level of difficulty: Intermediate

The motherboard is a circuit board of a computer system. All computer components are directly or indirectly attached to the motherboard. A video interface and sound card are sometimes built in or can be added. Motherboards have a wide variety of models and brands and feature many configurations that fit the type of use and budget. An important part of a motherboard is its Basic Input/ Output System or BIOS. Computer enthusiasts have been known to prefer certain motherboards based on the BIOS manufacturer.

Materials Needed:
- Motherboard
- Computer
- Screwdriver
- Digital Camera (optional)
Step 1
Remove motherboard from packaging and arrange inventory screws and wires or plugs. Read through the manual that comes with the motherboard. Take note that multiple kinds and designs of motherboards have different installation procedures. Make sure that your motherboard is compatible with the computer casing.
Step 2
Remove static electricity by touching a metal component of the computer or by wearing anti-static wrist bands. Static electricity may affect hardware performance and cause hardware problems.
Step 3
Carefully consider how the motherboard must be attached and which holes and screws go where. Clear the motherboard and computer casing for wayward wires. If you are replacing your computer’s motherboard, you may want to take a picture with the use of the digital camera before removing the motherboard from the casing. The picture taken from the digital camera will serve a guide when installing the new motherboard.
Step 4
Position the motherboard in its case while lining up holes in board with holes in case.
Step 5
Insert the appropriate spacers or plastic stand-offs and washers and screws. Be sure to tighten screws carefully and not too tight so as not to crack the motherboard. Attach and screw while making sure that the motherboard does not touch any metal.
Step 6
Remember to line up slots and connectors on the back opening of the casing.
Step 7
Connect the motherboard to the computer’s power supply. Connect the CPU fan and connect to a power supply if necessary.
Step 8
Connect the reset and power switches and the LED indicators to the power supply.
Step 9
Connect case speaker to motherboard.
Step 10
Check all connections by referring to the user’s manual. Secure all wires and remember not to have them tangle with each other.
Step 11
Test the motherboard if it is working well (and configure in CMOS if necessary) before attempting to install other components.
Step 12
Install other components of the computer system. Locate appropriate slots and insert devices as specified by the device or motherboard manual.
Step 13
Configure motherboard by setting jumpers or DIP switches for CPU, the voltage(s), and its bus speed. If the motherboard is configured by software, configure it after the complete the physical installation.