Installation
Test Rig:
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 45nm
Crucial Ballistix Tracer DDR3-2000 4GB kit
Sparkle Calibre geForce 9800GTX+ video card
Thermaltake Toughpower Cable Management 850 watt power supply
CoolJag Falcon II CPU Cooler
Ikonik Zaria A10 midtower
Windows Vista Ultimate 32-bit
Installation is very straightforward, prep the CPU and CPU cooler base by cleaning with isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth. Install the offsets into the case, along with the motherboard’s I/O shield.
Apply thermal compound by the manufacturer’s instructions and install the CPU cooler. Install the memory.
Install the power supply and optical drive into the case.
Install the hard drive. Then install the motherboard. Wire up the motherboard and peripherals. I did take my time to perform some cable management, but it is totally up to the builder.
Install the video card, double check your work, and you’re done.
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I have discovered a flaw with this motherboard, and I assume other ASROCK motherboards with the x16/x8+x8 card. After a period of time the card loses its connection and you start getting random blackouts on your monitor. Remove the card, use a Q-tip and some isopropyl alcohol to clean the card’s contacts. Wet them with alcohol and reseat the card several times to clean the contacts on the motherboard.
After the first time I have had to do this again every few weeks.