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Desktop PC Motherboard Replacement

Written By: David Lennon (and 10 other contributors)
  • Comments: 5
  • Favorites: 15
  • Completions: 90

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

13

Time Required

10 - 30 minutes

Sections

5

Flags

1

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Introduction

The motherboard is the main body of a computer. Over time, computer components degrade and may need to be replaced. Replacing the motherboard can help make a computer run more quickly, smoothly and without errors.

Tools

Buy these tools

Parts

No parts specified.

  1. Unplug the computer from the power supply before any maintenance or disassembly.

    • Unplug the computer from the power supply before any maintenance or disassembly.

    • Remove the two Phillips #2 head 5mm screws from the back side of the computer case. You only need to remove the screws that hold down the panel.

    • These screws can usually be removed by hand.

    • Be sure to wear an anti-static bracelet or use an anti-static mat to ensure important components are not damaged by static electricity.

    Edit

  2. Next, remove the side panel of the computer case to allow access into the computer. Slide the panel towards the back of the computer and lift it up to remove. If there is a fan mounted on the side panel, make sure to unplug the cable before fully removing the panel.

    • Next, remove the side panel of the computer case to allow access into the computer. Slide the panel towards the back of the computer and lift it up to remove.

    • If there is a fan mounted on the side panel, make sure to unplug the cable before fully removing the panel.

    Edit

  3. Remove two Phillips #2 head 5mm screws from the back side of the computer case.

    • Remove two Phillips #2 head 5mm screws from the back side of the computer case.

    Edit

  4. Next, remove the side panel of the computer case to allow access into the computer. Next, remove the side panel of the computer case to allow access into the computer.

    • Next, remove the side panel of the computer case to allow access into the computer.

    Edit

  5. Remove the Phillips #2 head, 5mm screw holding the graphics card in place.

    • Remove the Phillips #2 head, 5mm screw holding the graphics card in place.

    • Make sure that you have grounded yourself so that upon removal of the graphics card you do not accidentally shock the circuit board and damage it.

    Edit

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  7. Press the latch on the side of the connector area to unlock the graphics card, and carefully slide the graphics card out from its slot in the computer. A good technique is to lay the computer onto it side, push the latch down and lift the graphics card out.

    • Press the latch on the side of the connector area to unlock the graphics card, and carefully slide the graphics card out from its slot in the computer.

    • A good technique is to lay the computer onto it side, push the latch down and lift the graphics card out.

    Edit

  8. Remove two Phillips #2 head 5mm screws holding the hard drive in place.

    • Remove two Phillips #2 head 5mm screws holding the hard drive in place.

    Edit

  9. Remove two Phillips #2 head 5mm screws holding in the other side of the hard drive.

    • Remove two Phillips #2 head 5mm screws holding in the other side of the hard drive.

    Edit

  10. Slide the hard drive out from the metal casing.

    • Slide the hard drive out from the metal casing.

    Edit

  11. Remove the cables from the back of the hard drive.

    • Remove the cables from the back of the hard drive.

    Edit

  12. Begin to disconnect all cables from the motherboard. Many of the cables will have clips that need to be undone before you can remove them from the motherboard. Begin to disconnect all cables from the motherboard. Many of the cables will have clips that need to be undone before you can remove them from the motherboard.

    • Begin to disconnect all cables from the motherboard. Many of the cables will have clips that need to be undone before you can remove them from the motherboard.

    Edit

  13. Remove nine Phillips #2 head 5mm screws from the motherboard. Be sure to have your computer on its side, so that once the screws are out nothing falls and gets damaged.

    • Remove nine Phillips #2 head 5mm screws from the motherboard. Be sure to have your computer on its side, so that once the screws are out nothing falls and gets damaged.

    Edit

  14. Double check and make sure all wires and screws have been removed, then carefully remove the motherboard from the computer case.

    • Double check and make sure all wires and screws have been removed, then carefully remove the motherboard from the computer case.

    Edit
Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

90 other people completed this guide.

Author

with 10 other contributors

David Lennon

Member since: 04/14/2015

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10 Guides authored

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Team

Cal Poly, Team 4-5, Maness Spring 2015 Member of Cal Poly, Team 4-5, Maness Spring 2015

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26 Guides authored

2 Comments

Add a comment

If you aim to replace just the motherboard, I don’t think removing the hard drive from the case should be neccessary. The point of removing SATA cable from the motherboard still stands.

Ingmārs Zaicevs - Reply

Generally a good article for a beginner. Very thorough. I personally do not remove the hard drives or cpu fans as it makes it both faster and easier to hold. Disconnect all the cables and graphics card then unscrew the motherboard screws and you are good to go!

Scott Sinclair - Reply

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