Install motherboard backplate

Also known as motherboard pegs, these brass-colored objects are used to secure your motherboard to the case. Some computer cases come with motherboard standoffs pre-installed, while for others you will have to screw in the standoffs yourself.

Remember to tighten the pegs with a pair of pliers instead of just using your thumbs. How to install a motherboard: Grab a screwdriver and fasten your motherboard to the computer case with the screws that come with your computer case see image below.

For a motherboard to be properly secured, it should be fastened with at least four screws. In order for the power button, reset button, front USB ports, front audio ports and LED lights of the computer case to work, you will need to plug their front panel connectors into the front panel header on the motherboard. Manufacturers tend to use abbreviations to label front panel connectors and headers. When installing a motherboard, it's important that you know what these abbreviations stand for:.

Moving on with our motherboard installation guide, let's take a look at the front panel connectors:. Now it's a good time to take out your motherboard manual if you need help finding this header. The front USB and audio connectors are the easiest to connect: Not only are they are larger in size, but they also have a foolproof design such that you can only connect them in one direction.

The power switch and reset switch connectors will work in any orientation so no worries there. In order for the LEDs to light up, you will need to plug in a positive connector into a positive header pin and the same goes for their negative counterparts. This is arguably one of the fiddliest bits of building a PC, so it's important to take your time here.

I'll be building into an ATX-sized motherboard into a mid-tower case in this particular instance, but the same steps apply for ITX and mini-ITX builds as well - you'll just have fewer mounting points to worry about. Step 1: All right, then, let's get started. Open up your motherboard box and take everything out. The first thing you need is the thin metal backplate. This goes in front of your motherboard's ports to keep things nice and tidy.

Some motherboards have them pre-mounted these days, so you can skip this bit and move onto Step 2 if you happen to have one of those. For everyone else, it's time to wheedle this onto the back of your case. Sometimes you'll need to remove the metal tabs covering up each port hole beforehand by twisting them off the backplate or pushing them inwards, but most motherboard backplates have the holes cut out already.

The best way to install the backplate is to push it into place from inside the case. You'll want the metal rim and any writing it has to be on the outside, but check how the ports on your motherboard are actually laid out to make sure you've actually got it the right up. Once it's in the correct orientation, give it a gentle push and it should click into place.

Step 2: With the backplate installed, it's time to measure up your motherboard. Place your PC on its side so the main cavity is facing upwards. Inside your case, you should see a variety of pre-drilled holes in the back.

Take your motherboard out of its anti-static bag and try and line them up with the holes on the motherboard itself, making sure it's nice and snug against that backplate you've just fitted. Make a note of which holes you can see and then put your motherboard back inside its anti-static bag. Step 3: Next, grab that accessory box and find your motherboard standoffs.

These are tall screws that are hollowed out in the middle. Their main purpose is to both secure your motherboard in place and prevent it from touching the case, as it will short out if it comes into contact with it. Some cases will have them pre-installed or built into the case already, in which case you can just go right ahead and place your motherboard down over them.

If your case doesn't, pop the standoffs in the necessary holes inside your case and then screw them into place. You don't technically need to put one in for every hole you can see on your motherboard - sometimes cases simply don't come with enough standoffs for all the available gaps - but naturally the more you install, the more secure your motherboard's going to be inside your case. If you have any standoffs left over, then put them back in the bag inside your accessory box.

With your standoffs in place, you can now fit your motherboard properly. Step 4: Before you do that, though, have a look at the CPU cooler you've bought. If it needs to be screwed into a motherboard backplate to hold it in place, NOW is the time to install it. Otherwise you'll be tearing your hair out later and probably have to undo all the hard work you're about to do. Most of the time, it's simply a matter of screwing it down onto the back of the motherboard, but this is extremely hard to do once the motherboard's actually in place, so for the love of all that is holy, do this BEFORE you even think about putting your motherboard inside your case.

You may also want to pause a moment and skip right ahead to getting your CPU and accompanying cooler installed before you screw your motherboard into place. It can often be a lot easier to do it out in the open where you've got more room to manoeuvre and aren't confined by the boundaries of your case. If you'd prefer to carry on and do these steps later, then by all means carry on. For those who'd rather save themselves some trouble, jump ahead to our How to install your CPU walkthrough.

Just remember to come back here once you're done! Step 5: With all that taken care of, carefully slot each hole on your motherboard over the standoffs.

Once it's in place, complete the fitting by screwing them down with the correct screws in your accessory box. Generally, I find it easiest to start with the corners and then screw in the others once the rest of it's locked down.