Connecting wires to the motherboard: instruction

One of the important stages of computer assembly involves connecting wires to the motherboard. Given that there are enough different connections, some points should be clarified. And although the motherboard and power supply manufacturers are trying to make all the connectors intuitive to the user, sometimes there are problems.

The instruction on connection of wires of a motherboard (MSI, ASUS, ASRock, etc.)

Just note that the example below is true not for all models and board types. It describes the general picture of connecting wires to the motherboard, but various minor differences can always be present. We'll start with connecting the connectors. It is assumed that the motherboard is already screwed to the body and ready for connection. Also, the power supply is already installed and screwed.

Connecting the connectors

The very first stage is the connection of the Power, Reset buttons on the chassis panel. Also, we connect the power to the LEDs, which perform the function of indicating the operation of the computer. These wires are directed from the front panel of the case, and they have different colors (yellow, red, etc.). At their end are connectors. On each of them there is a special abbreviated marking. They need to be connected to the motherboard in the nests reserved for them.

It's worth noting that all the connectors are protected against improper connection, so you probably will not be able to insert the connector into an unsuitable connector. It is important that the connection is smooth, without any effort.

The connector that comes from the power button on the casing is labeled as M / B SW. Open the instructions specifically for your motherboard and see where you want to insert it. It does not have a plus or minus, so it can be inserted by either side.

The second connector is responsible for the reset button, it is labeled RESET SW.

There are also two small single connectors, indicating the plus and minus and the labeling of POWER LED + and "-". They are responsible for indicating the operation of the computer. It is important not to confuse "plus" and "minus" in places, so be sure to check with the instructions.

LED hard drive without indicating the plus and minus is marked as HDD LED. However, it must be installed with a white wire to minus.

To be able to connect headphones to the case, and not to the motherboard, you need to connect the AUDIO connectors. The sockets on the motherboard are also labeled as AUDIO, but check with the instruction before connecting.

The same is with the connectors for connecting USB-interfaces. They need to be inserted into the slots on the board marked with USB. Recall that if the connection of wires to the motherboard Asus (or other manufacturers) is carried out with a lot of effort, then there is the possibility that you have made a mistake with the socket or connector. The latter have protection against improper connection, and you simply can not physically insert them into unsuitable sockets.

Most often, the jacks for the connectors are in the lower right corner - look for them there.

Connecting the CPU Power Connector

Now it's about connecting the wires to the motherboard that come out of the power supply. First of all, we connect the processor. The socket for its power supply is always near the processor itself, but we will not specify the exact location, because it is individual for different models.

So, from the power supply goes 4-wire wire, which is connected to the processor socket. Most likely, it will be the only one on the motherboard, so it's unlikely that you will be able to insert the connector into any other socket. And yes, it also has a special key from the wrong inclusion.

Connecting the main cable

The main power cable for the motherboard is the largest. In addition to it, there is a separate 4-wire connector. Take them together and connect to the motherboard in one single existing connector. Connectors have special latches. Therefore, when connecting, make sure that all this massive construction is snapped onto a special protrusion in the connector itself.

RAM

The memory slots are connected wirelessly. Here the contact method is used. For RAM there are special slots with latches. They need to move aside and insert slots (or a slot, if it is one) in the only correct way because of the cut in the slot and on the bar itself. Insert the bar carefully, gently pressing down from above. The clamps should gradually converge and, as a result, snap into place.

Be careful and do not press hard, otherwise the motherboard will buckle. Therefore, you need to insert all the bars.

Connecting SATA and IDE devices

The hard disk is connected to the motherboard using a special SATA cable. It usually has a red color. At both ends, the SATA cable has the same connectors. Connect one to the hard drive (there is also a wrong connection key), and the second one to the socket on the motherboard marked SATA 1. Usually on motherboards there are 2-4 such connectors. You can choose any. After connecting the SATA cable, connect the power. In the rightmost hole (usually it is the most right one), connect the connector to which 4 wires from the power supply are connected.

An optical drive is connected via the IDE-cable. But today modern computers are not equipped with disk drives because of their uselessness.

Connecting a video card

The final step in connecting the wires to the motherboard is installing the video card. It is installed in the PCI-E slot, which is appropriately marked. In fact, you can not insert a graphics chip into any other socket. Depending on the model of the motherboard, the video card is fixed or not fixed with a special clip, but the screw is always attached to the case.

Powerful graphics cards need additional power from the unit. If there is a power connector at the very end of the video card, be sure to use it. After connecting, we do not have free wires from the power supply. However, they can stay if you do not have an optical drive. Here, the instructions for connecting the motherboard wires can be considered complete.

Close the housing cover and turn on the computer. Everything should work. But even if you forgot to supply power to any of the accessories when connecting the wires to the Gigabyte motherboard (or another brand), then there's nothing wrong with that. Simply, the computer will not start, but it does not hurt anything.