HDD Installation

Description

Hard disk drives are available in 2.5" and 3.5" formats. The 2.5" HDD form factor is produced for laptops; it consumes less power but is slower than the 3.5" HDD.

For desktop computers, choosing an internal HDD in the 3.5 form factor with a SATA III connection is recommended.

Connecting

The 2.5" and 3.5" HDDs are connected to the computer with a SATA cable and a power supply cable.

1 – SATA cable

2 – HDD power cable from a power supply

3 – HDD power adapter for MOLEX connector

A SATA cable plugs into the motherboard connector (SATA 1, SATA 2, SATA 3). This cable transmits data from the solid-state drive to the motherboard. The difference between SATA connectors is their bandwidth:

• SATA I –1.5 Gbit/s
• SATA II – 3 Gbit/s
• SATA III – 6 Gbit/s

Installation

Before installation, you must completely switch off the computer's power and remove the side cover of the computer case.

To install the HDD, you will need a screwdriver (or maybe not).

The HDDs are installed in the compartment for data storage devices.

This compartment is located in the front bottom part of the computer case

Almost all cases have a fan to blow air through the compartment for data storage devices. The convenient location of the HDD does not interfere with the air circulation in the computer case.

Choose the place where to install your HDD.

Fix the HDD in the compartment for data storage devices using the screws that came with the HDD.

Connect the SATA cable to the motherboard and HDD. And connect the power cable.

An additional bracket is required to install the 2.5" format, as the compartment for data storage devices in the computer case is designed for 3.5".

Place the 2.5" HDD on the dedicated bracket, then secure the bracket in the compartment for data storage devices.

Some computer cases are equipped with a mobile chassis for data storage devices. In this case it is easier to install the HDD. You need to insert the HDD into the mobile chassis and connect the power supply.

External HDDs are connected via a USB connector. If this is the case, use a more modern USB connector (3.0 or higher) to increase the transmission speed

SSD Installation

Solid State Drives (SSD) are available in 2.5", 3.5" or m.2 format.

Connection

The 2.5" and 3.5" SSDs are connected to the computer with a SATA cable and power supply cable.

1 – SATA cable

2 – SSD power cable from a power supply

3 – SSD power adapter for MOLEX connector

A SATA cable plugs into a motherboard connector (SATA 1, SATA 2, SATA 3 connectors). This cable transmits data from the SSD to the motherboard. The difference between SATA connectors is their bandwidth:

• SATA I – 1.5 Gbit/s
• SATA II – 3 Gbit/s
• SATA III – 6 Gbit/s

SSD in m.2 format is plugged into the motherboard in the corresponding slot. SSD in this format has a higher read-write speed.

If you don't have an SSD m.2 slot, you can purchase a PCI Express m.2 adapter.

Installation of 2.5" and 3.5" SSD

Before installing, you must completely switch off the computer's power and remove the side cover of the computer case.

You will need a screwdriver to install the SSD.

SSDs are installed in the compartment for data storage devices.

This compartment is located in the front bottom part of the computer case

Almost all cases have a fan to blow air through the compartment for data storage devices. The convenient location of the SSD does not interfere with the air circulation in the computer case.

A dedicated bracket is included in the package for the 2.5" SSD, as the size of the 2.5" SSD does not allow it to be fully inserted into the compartment.

To install, you must first fix the SSD to the bracket using the screws that came with it. Next, fasten the bracket in the compartment.

After installation, the SATA cable and power cable must be connected.

The 3.5" SSD is the same size as a hard disk drive and can be easily fitted into the compartment for data storage devices without any bracket.

Installation of an m.2 SSD

You will need a screwdriver to install the m.2 SSD.

A complication in installing the board may be that the video card may have to be removed. This is because the connector is located in close proximity to the PCI Express x16 connector (for video cards).  

Insert the board into the slot and secure it with the retaining screw.

Installation of external SSDs

External SSDs are connected via a USB connector. In this case, use a more modern USB connector (3.0 or higher) to increase data transmission speed.

Sound card installation

Installation of a discrete sound card

Connectors for discrete sound card installation

To connect a discrete sound card to the motherboard, use PCI or PCI Express connectors.

PCI Express connectors are more modern and faster than PCI connectors.

Sound card with PCI connector

Sound card with PCI Express connector

Sequence of actions:

1. Unplug the power supply, disconnect the power cable. Then, open the side cover of the system unit.
2. Select a free PCI or PCI Express connector, depending on your sound card. Choosing a free connector well away from the system components such as the video card is recommended. This is to ensure that the installed sound card does not interfere with the air cooling circulation of the video card or other system components.
3. Unscrew the locking screw on the metal cover of the computer case in front of the selected connector. These plugs can be unscrewed with a screwdriver or broken out.



4. Install the sound card in the connector of your choice.



5. Fix the installed sound card with the fixing screw.



Connection of auxiliary power



The sound card may come with a power cable. This cable should be connected to the sound card and to the MOLEX connector. The MOLEX connector will supply power to the sound card from the system unit.

To bring the audio outputs from the sound card to the front side of your system unit, you must connect an AUDIO cable to the sound card.



Next, install the hardware drivers that come with the sound card. You can install the sound card drivers using the optical disc that comes with the sound card or download drivers from the sound card manufacturer's official website. Drivers are necessary for the correct operation of the hardware.

Connection of an external sound card



External sound cards are connected to the USB connector.

The next step is to install the hardware drivers that come with the sound card.

Installation of liquid cooling system

Installation of a liquid cooling system on the CPU

You will need:

1. Screwdriver
2. Degreaser (ethyl alcohol) or alcohol wipes
3. Thermal paste (if it is not included with the liquid cooling system)

Preparation:

1- Connector for the water-cooling unit

2 - CPU water cooling unit

3 - Fan

4 - Connector for fan connection

5 - Thermal paste

6 - Motherboard to Water block fixing

7 - Cooling radiator

8 - Bottom frame securing the water block to the motherboard from the back

9 - All required screws

Here we are describing the installation of a maintenance-free liquid cooling system. In this system, the radiator is already filled with coolant; the radiator tubes are hermetically connected to the water block. The pump is integrated into the water block. The downside of this system is a relatively low lifetime (about 5 years), the impossibility of increasing the length of the pipes, and the impossibility of refilling the cooling liquid, which evaporates over time.

Consider when you choose a water-cooling system:

• The type of socket on your motherboard. The compatibility of the cooling system with the CPU socket is given in its specifications.
• The size of heatsink. Pay attention to the size of your case, as the heatsink may be too large.
• Length of cooling tubes. The length of the tubes may not be long enough to install the cooling system.

Before installing the cooling system, check for leaks. To do this, connect the pump and let it run for a while.

The water fluid pipes should not be stretched and bend too much.

The radiator can be installed on the top or front wall of the system unit.

Installation depends on the specifications of your system unit.

Installation

Install the brackets on the water block and the bottom frame of the water block holder on the motherboard's backside.

Mounting the water block frame on the backside of the motherboard

Mount the fans on the heatsink. Please refer to the airflow direction arrows. They are marked on the fan frame. The fan should work to blow air out of the room. In other words, the airflow should go through the heatsink into the inside of your computer case.

Attach the heatsink to the chosen location.

Apply thermal paste to the CPU. It is recommended that you apply the thermal paste using one of the methods given in the article about applying thermal paste.

Install the water block on the CPU socket. Tighten the screws alternately in a crisscross pattern.

Connect the power supply. The water block connection can be plugged into the CPU_FAN connector on the motherboard. If you have a more modern motherboard, you need to connect the water block connector to the designated liquid-cooling connectors on the motherboard (AlO_PUMP or W_PUMP). Please refer to your motherboard manual for specific motherboard connections. The second way to connect a water block is to connect to the SATA connector on the power supply. Some liquid cooling systems have connections to the motherboard's USB connector for backlight control or fan speed control.

Setting up the water block

When water blocks are connected via a USB connector on the motherboard, which allows users to flexibly customize the operation of their cooling system thanks to additional software. A connection via a 3-PIN connector (CPU_FAN, SYS_FAN) allows the user to control the speed of the rotation of the pump by changing the voltage at the connector.

Fan setup

Most liquid cooling systems are equipped with 4-pin fans. The fans are adjusted through the BIOS or via a PWM signal using proprietary utilities. Download the utilities from the manufacturer's website.

5. Remove the old thermal paste from the GPU.
6. Unscrew the remaining four screws securing the heatsink and graphics card PCB.

7. Apply new thermal paste.
8. Align the cooling system with the video card by tightening the screws on the studs. Tighten the screws evenly in a crisscross pattern.

9. Connect the fan connector to the video card.
10. Place the graphics card back into the case of the system unit.
11. Install the cooling heatsink with the fan in one of the ways described above and connect the fan.
12. You can plug the water block connector into the SYS_FAN connector on the motherboard. If you have a more modern motherboard, the water block connector must be plugged into the motherboard-specific connectors for liquid cooling (AlO_PUMP or W_PUMP). Please refer to your motherboard manual for specific motherboard connections. The second way to connect a water block is to connect it to the SATA connector on your power supply. Some liquid cooling systems have a USB connector on the motherboard for backlight control or fan speed control.

Installation of a custom water-cooling system

A properly assembled custom water cooling system will noticeably reduce the temperature of your computer's main components, but it will also cost significantly more than the same air coolers and maintenance-free water cooling systems.

Users can independently disassemble and reassemble the water-cooling loop, upgrade and service it.

In addition, it is possible to add some elements of the motherboard, such as bus controllers or the southbridge (chipset), to the loop of the serviced water-cooling system.

This will increase the performance of your computer.

Installing a custom (or serviced) water cooling system causes some risks of system leakage. All components of this system are manually assembled into a single water loop system. In addition, in the system appear additional elements, such as an expansion tank and a separate water pump. Therefore, only a professional should be entrusted with the installation of a custom water-cooling system.

Installation of the air cooling system

The air cooling system depends on the availability of places in the computer case where it is possible to install fans.

Elements of the air cooling system

Case fan

This is the element that creates and directs the airflow.

Standard sizes: 80x80, 92x92, 120x120, 140x140, 200x200 mm. For small cases: 25x25, 30x30, 40x40, 50x50, 60x60 mm. A standard case fan is about 25mm thick.

The fans have different sockets for connection.

• The 2-PIN connector has two contacts: plus and minus.
• The 3-PIN connector has a third contact that is responsible for monitoring the fan speed.
• 4-PIN connector has PWM (Pulse Width Modulation). The 4-PIN connector allows the system to self-regulate the fan speed, depending on the temperature inside the case.
• The MOLEX connector plugs the fan directly into the power supply. In this case, the fan always runs at a fixed speed.
• 5-pin, 6-pin slots are connected to an interface that allows you to adjust the fan backlight and rotation speed through a special utility.
• USB connector. If the name of the fan has USB written on it, it means that the fan controller is connected to the motherboard through a USB connector.

CPU cooler

Depending on the design, they are divided into three main types:



Standard cooler

The fan directs the air toward the processor and nearby motherboard components.



Tower cooler

Its CPU cooling efficiency is higher. The tower of this cooler gets its cooling from the case fans and from natural convection. And the fan installed in the tower increases heat dissipation.

Cable management



Careful cable routing inside the system unit case increases the system's cooling efficiency. Improperly placed cables slow air circulation in the case and collect dust.



It is important to route the cables as close to the walls as possible so that the space inside the case is open to airflow.

Dust filters

Dust buildup in a PC case can lead to overheating of the system components. In addition, large amounts of dust can cause a short circuit or static breakdown on a chip.



Modern dust filters are mounted in the case as separate units or attached to the case with magnets. They can be easily removed, cleaned, and reinstalled.



Dust filters on fans

Circulation of air in the chassis

The fans on the side and front covers of the case take air from the room to the inside of the case.

The fans on the top and back of the case blow air out of the case. These fans are located at the top of the case because heated air always rises to the top.



Excessive air pressure in a case is when more intake fans are installed in the PC case than exhaust fans. In this case the hot air is evacuated from the case more effectively and leaves less dust in the case.

Case fan installation and replacement

Fan installation options



A standard computer case is shown as an example. Some fans can be replaced. For example, three 140mm fans can be replaced with two more powerful 200mm fans.

Fan operation for air intake or exhaust

The fan always rotates in one direction. The function of the fan is determined by how it is installed (blowing in or blowing out). There are several ways to determine the direction of fan airflow:

• Arrows on the fan show the direction of airflow and the direction of rotation of the blades.



• By fan appearance.



The side of the fan with the frame and power lead is the blowing-out side.



The side, which shows only the fan blades, is the air drawn inside.

Fan replacement

Sequence of steps to replace the fan:

1. Turn off the power of the fan. The fans are connected to the "CHA_FAN" or "SYS_FAN" connector on the motherboard. Or the fans are directly connected to the power supply's MOLEX connector. In both cases, you just need to disconnect the wire.





MOLEX connector

To fix the fan, it is necessary to screw it to the computer case with four screws.



CPU cooler

Compatibility

The compatibility of your CPU cooler with your computer case depends on the size of the cooler. When selecting a cooler, pay attention to the size of the cooler so that it will fit in the case without any problems.



Because of the height, the cooler may not fit in the case.



The processor's TDP (Thermal Design Power) characteristic can help you see if the cooler is suitable for your processor. This characteristic indicates the maximum amount of heat that the cooling system needs to dissipate.

Installation



If your case has fans at the top, installing a tower CPU cooler to blow air up out of the case is recommended. In this case, the tower cooler draws heat from the motherboard and graphics card, blows the heated air through itself, and then blows air out through the top of the case. The top fans create an increased speed of air being pulled out of the case. Faster airflow through the tower cooler allows faster heat removal from the CPU.



If there are no fans on top of the case, installing the CPU tower cooler on the blow-out side through the back of the case is recommended. That is, install the tower cooler fan perpendicular to the graphics card. In this way, the warm air will be drawn away from the memory cards, pass through the CPU radiator, and be pulled out through the back of the case. For more effective heat removal from the case in this situation, it is recommended to install fans of 100 mm or more on the back of the case to blow heat away.

Automation of cooling system

 There are several options to control your PC fans:

1. Use your motherboard's special software (utility).
2. Adjust the fan speeds from the BIOS.
3. Lower the supply voltage of the coolers by artificial means.