After you have installed all the components, it is time to plug in all the cables.
Proper cable management improves internal airflow by reducing cable clutter to promote accelerated heat removal.
Cable ties will also help you to make your cabling clutter free and thus improve the airflow.
You should also run the cables along the edges or under the motherboard.
Value HTPC
- Plug in the power connector cable from the power supply to the motherboard. There are two connectors that you need to put in place, namely a 24-pin main power connector and two 4-pin power connectors for the CPU.
- Make sure you have connected all fan headers, including both the CPU cooler and case fan.
- There is also an USB port in the front panel, so connect that to the USB header on the motherboard as well. You may also connect your case’s front panel audio module to the front panel audio header on the motherboard.
- Connect the power switch, reset switch, and system status indicators on the case to the front panel header of the motherboard. Follow the instructions in the motherboard’s user manual to achieve the correct pin assignments. Keep in mind that the colored wire is usually the positive (+) and the white is negative (-). Sometimes the positive side is marked with a small triangle on the connector.
- Reinstall the center brace back into the case.
Performance HTPC
- Plug in the power connector cable from the power supply to the motherboard. There are two connectors that you need to put in place, namely a 24-pin main power connector and 4-pin power connector.
- Make sure you have connected all fan headers (including the external cable to ASUS’s external fan card) for both the CPU cooler and case fans.
- There is also an USB port in the front panel, so connect that to the USB header on the motherboard as well. You may also connect your case’s front panel audio module to the front panel audio header on the motherboard.
- Connect the power switch, reset switch, and system status indicators on the case to the front panel header of the motherboard. Follow the instructions in the motherboard’s user manual to achieve the correct pin assignments. Keep in mind that the colored wire is usually the positive (+) and the white is negative (-). Sometimes the positive side is marked with a small triangle on the connector.
- I would recommend installing one Noctua NF-S12A ULN case fan to the front cover on top of the CPU fan to ensure there is enough airflow for the CPU and motherboard. Place the fan so that the circular sticker with the Noctua logo is facing out of the case so that the airflow direction is outside the case.
- Plug in the Noctua case fan’s power adapter to the motherboard or to the extension fan card that comes with the ASUS Maximus VII Impact motherboard.
Please note that you can leave the hard drive activity and power LEDs unplugged if you do not wish to have any bright lights in the front panel.
Remember to check the following points before you power on the computer for the first time:
- Did you plug in CPU and motherboard power cables?
- Did you connect front panel’s power connections?
- Did you turn on the power switch behind the PSU?
It is time to plug in the power cord, HDMI cable and keyboard/mouse combo. Then switch the power on.
I would recommend leaving the case open when you turn it on for the first time in case you need to do some last minute troubleshooting or reconnecting of cables.