Just looking before I leap...new PC final thoughts.

[GARoss]

Doing further research, it would be easy enough to make a template & drill & tap a 6-32 hole for the missing standoff. This would remove all doubts.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Your pics aren't really big enough to see detail, but I think you should recheck.

That board should have at least 7 mounting holes. Mine does.

One hole near the center should fit over a standoff that does NOT require a screw. This particular mounting point acts as a guide to let you know you are getting close.

It is possible that the Solo does not follow this convention and that all standoffs require a screw on top.

Don't do any drilling or modification.

Insert the motherboard backplane (the tin piece with the holes for your ports) first.

Screw in that odd standoff---the one that doesn't need a screw added after you install the board. It's just a stud that one of the mounting holes drops over. It should be screwed in near the center of the board. Just looking at your pic, it's probably the one nearest the RAM slots, but not the one circled in red.

Then lay the board in the case snugged up against the backplane to get an idea of about where it will end up.

ATX boards and cases are designed to a certain standard. That's why I'm assuming you are missing something.

If you are NOT missing something, I would not bother drilling and tapping. I'd just go with the standoffs that in fact lined up with a hole in the board.

I've certainly never read of anyone having to drill a Solo. So, I'd guess they just ignore the issue.

 

[GARoss]

Your pics aren't really big enough to see detail, but I think you should recheck.

That board should have at least 7 mounting holes. Mine does.

One hole near the center should fit over a standoff that does NOT require a screw. This particular mounting point acts as a guide to let you know you are getting close.

Don't do any drilling or modification.

Insert the motherboard backplane (the tin piece with the holes for your ports) first.

Screw in that odd standoff---the one that doesn't need a screw added after you install the board. It's just a stud that one of the mounting holes drops over. It should be screwed in near the center of the board. Just looking at your pic, it's probably the one nearest the RAM slots, but not the one circled in red.

Then lay the board in the case snugged up against the backplane to get an idea of about where it will end up.

ATX boards and cases are designed to a certain standard. That's why I'm assuming you are missing something.

If you are NOT missing something, I would not bother drilling and tapping. I'd just go with the standoffs that in fact lined up with a hole in the board.

I've certainly never read of anyone having to drill a Solo. So, I'd guess they just ignore the issue.

Sorry for the poor pics but I'm at work & have to deal with internet pics & poor editing software.

The board does have 7 mounting holes. The case doesn't have 7 holes that lineup with the MB. The MB mounting hole marked in red is where there isn't a hole on the case.

I didn't look throughly at all the mounting hardware so there probably is an odd standoff. So, would I mount this odd standoff to the MB in the red hole? It would just rest on the metal case, not mount (there's no hole for it to mount) to the case?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

You would mount the odd standoff in whatever hole is consistent with making all the other holes line up with a regular standoff.

That would likely be the yellow mount immediately to the left of the red question mark in your first set of pix. The mounting hole at the base of the RAM slots would likely be the hole that drops down over that stud/standoff. (the hole to the left of the red circled hole in the second set of pix).

The stud doesn't go in the motherboard. It goes on the back panel with all the other standoffs. It just looks different than the others (no internal threads to accept a screw). The Solo may (?) not use this odd standoff---which would mean you just use a regular standoff.

The end result would likely be that the red circled hole in your second set of pix would NOT be used. It would be the odd man out. You would use the other 6 holes---that form a capital H in your first set of pix.


Feel free to tap a 7th hole in the case to accommodate the red circled hole if you want to, but I personally would not bother.

But first, install the backplane and get the motherboard out of the package. Set it down inside the case without standoffs to confirm all of this. Then screw the standoffs into place in what appears to be the appropriate spot. Then set the board back down in there again to confirm. If you have those 6 holes sitting on top of 6 standoffs (or 1 stud and 5 standoffs), you got it. Then just add the top screws and you are done--after you fumble with the screws and cuss a while.

Don't over tighten the top screws. All you need is snug--like a strong hand tight.

Then comes the PSU cable hookups. The Solo has a lot of opportunity to hide cables---most commonly routing them behind the motherboard, just inside the far case wall.

 

[GARoss]

You would mount the odd standoff in whatever hole is consistent with making all the other holes line up with a regular standoff.

That would likely be the yellow mount immediately to the left of the red question mark in your first set of pix. The mounting hole at the base of the RAM slots would likely be the hole that drops down over that stud/standoff. (the hole to the left of the red circled hole in the second set of pix).

The stud doesn't go in the motherboard. It goes on the back panel with all the other standoffs. It just looks different than the others (no internal threads to accept a screw). The Solo may (?) not use this odd standoff---which would mean you just use a regular standoff.

The end result would likely be that the red circled hole in your second set of pix would NOT be used. It would be the odd man out. You would use the other 6 holes---that form a capital H in your first set of pix.


Feel free to tap a 7th hole in the case if you want to, but I personally would not bother.

I'll take your word for it. It just seems odd to only use a few but not all of the MB's mounting holes. But, as I said from the beginning, this is my 1st build.

So;

1. The hole at the base of the RAM slots is open. If there is an odd no-female standoff, it would be mounted under this mounting hole & the MB rest on this standoff.
2. The neighboring hole I have marked in red is to be left as is.
3. The other 5 MB mounting holes will mount to standoffs.

If I have that correct that's what I'll do. Thanks.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I'll take your word for it. It just seems odd to only use a few but not all of the MB's mounting holes. But, as I said from the beginning, this is my 1st build.

So;

1. The hole at the base of the RAM slots is open. If there is an odd no-female standoff, it would be mounted under this mounting hole & the MB rest on this standoff.
   
   Probably--based on my best guess after looking at your pix. That seems the most likely scenario.
   
   
   
2. The neighboring hole I have marked in red is to be left as is.
   
   
   
   Yes, in all likelihood based on the pix.
   
   
   
3. The other 5 MB mounting holes will mount to standoffs.
   
   
   Yep.
   
   
   

If I have that correct that's what I'll do. Thanks.

It is only slightly odd. I have seen boards that did not use all holes when mounted. If you are handy with a drill, tap another mount.

The case builders cannot guess in advance all possible board layouts to be used by board makers. But the ATX standard demands certain things---at least you have 6 mounts that do line up.

Make sure the ports at the rear of the board poke out as expected through the backplane so you can properly attach your peripherals--mouse, KB, etc. You pretty much have to do that to force the motherboard mount holes to line up over the standoffs.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Look here:

SPCR • View topic - Staff Rigs

to see Ralf's Solo (P150) build to give you an idea of what can be done with cables on a Solo.

 

[GARoss]

That P150 looks great. I hope I can achive something close to his professional look!

 

[GARoss]

I haven't had much time this week but I installed the i5 & CPU fan. The Big Shuriken was tough to install. Seem to take forever to get the last "click" but managed.

Here's the deal, the memory is way too tall. The heat dispersers are the problem. They crash big time into the Big Shuriken. I'm sending the RAM back in exchange for Patriot Gamer G2 Series. Everything the same except the height to the RAM. Bummer!

 

[GeneO]

Look here:

SPCR • View topic - Staff Rigs

to see Ralf's Solo (P150) build to give you an idea of what can be done with cables on a Solo.

He has 9 mounting screws on his MB.

 

[GeneO]

I have had much time this week but I installed the i5 & CPU fan. The Big Shuriken was tough to install. Seem to take forever to get the last "click" but managed.

Here's the deal, the memory is way too tall. The heat dispersers are the problem. They crash big time into the Big Shuriken. I'm sending the RAM back in exchange for Patriot Gamer G2 Series. Everything the same except the height to the RAM. Bummer!

That is always difficult - getting the cooler to fit around motherboard parts and memory cooling fins. It is painful to have to wait for parts when you have almost everything.

 

[GARoss]

That is always difficult - getting the cooler to fit around motherboard parts and memory cooling fins. It is painful to have to wait for parts when you have almost everything.

I was warned that the RAM I selected might be too tall but took a chance. Live & learn. The new RAM has a HS cover but is more standard in height. If it doesn't fit nothing will. I ordered it UPS 2 day shipping so should be here tomorrow.

 

[Dave76]

Hope it fits.
That's a common problem with CPU coolers, mine has about 2mm clearance.

 

[GARoss]

If it doesn't, nothing will.
The G-Skill Ripjaws' height is about 10mm higher than the Patriot's height. The Patriot may interfer slightly during install but should be OK once in place.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Did your SSD arrive?

You are over the hump if you got that cooler installed. You gotta love the genius who came up with that 4 pin mounting setup.

You should have it rocking by the weekend. Good luck.

 

[GARoss]

Did your SSD arrive?

You are over the hump if you got that cooler installed. You gotta love the genius who came up with that 4 pin mounting setup.

You should have it rocking by the weekend. Good luck.

SSD is to arrive today. Had a problem with the RAM being too high so new Patriot RAM is to arrive tomorrow (hopefully). Have tomorrow off & will have lots of time to get it going.

That last "click' was nearly impossible. I was concerned that something might break! Then the RAM was to tall. It was easy to send the RAM back instead of changing the CPU fan again. :mad2:

Pics coming soon.

 

[GARoss]

Here's some pics. Newegg's packing is great.

I'm not sure what happened at Newegg when I ordered the new RAM Wednesday. I paid for UPS 2nd Day Air & thought I'd receive it Friday afternoon but it appears it's being shipped by truck & wont arrive until Monday. I called Newegg & they apologized & offered to refund the addition premium I paid. Newegg has great service.

More pics coming.

 

[Skibumtx]

+1 for NewEgg

Sorry i just came across this thread but did you post your build spec over at Tom's hardware? Great resource for DIYers

Ski

 

[GARoss]

+1 for NewEgg

Sorry i just came across this thread but did you post your build spec over at Tom's hardware? Great resource for DIYers

Ski

I like Tom's Hardware site overall but the advice here at Windows 7 Forums has been so good I've never felt the need to go anywhere else.

I have to say the Solo case is terrific! I was surprised how heavy it was but a look inside explained why. Both sides are lined with plastic sound dampening, the tray for the SSD has rubber screw sleeves to isolate any vibration & all sheet metal is of a heavy gage. Everything is easy to get to. Very nice!

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I have to say the Solo case is terrific! I was surprised how heavy it was but a look inside explained why. Both sides are lined with plastic sound dampening, the tray for the SSD has rubber screw sleeves to isolate any vibration & all sheet metal is of a heavy gage. Everything is easy to get to. Very nice!

You got that suspended drive mounting thing figured out yet? I've never seen good pictures of it.

I read some comments to the effect that the elastic can weaken in a year or two and the drives will sag. Don't know if I would use them or not. I think you can bypass the suspension and use standard mounts---with those rubber grommets?

One guy said ponytail "scrunchies" were the best replacement for the elastic--5 for a dollar or something at Walmart.

I'd have been driven nuts by the lack of RAM over a weekend---probably keeping you from mounting the motherboard.