Installation
Test Rig:
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 45nm
ASRock P45X3 Deluxe Intel P45 Motherboard
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
Windows Vista Ultimate 32-bit
Installation is simple and straightforward. Install the offsets into the case. I snugged them up with a socket wrench, but be very careful as brass offsets are easily stripped. Ikonik included several extras just in case. Place the I/O shield that came with your motherboard into the opening.
Install the optical drive.
Install the power supply. Install the hard drive(s). I had initially thought that the HDD bay was configured so that drives could be mounted with the connectors in either direction, but there wasn’t quite enough room to install with the connectors facing away from the left side. It really doesn’t matter but I like the clean look of the cables connecting on the other side.
Prior to installing the motherboard, it is wise to consider if you want to run any cables across the motherboard tray. I usually end up removing the motherboard at least once to run cables under it, and I did it twice this time. The rear fan cable is better run under the mobo, as is the Audio header cable and probably the other case header wires. Ikonik has punched a cable keeper into the motherboard tray that serves a double purpose of holding cables in place, and serving as an opening to run cables under the mobo.
Next, install the motherboard. I normally install the CPU, CPU cooler, and memory onto the motherboard first.
At this point I’d like to mention a couple of things of note, mainly for the new builder. First, when I received the Zaria A10, the motherboard speaker had fallen out of its proper location, having been held in place by glue from a glue gun. This isn’t a big deal, nor is it the first time I’ve seen it happen. I’m just so happy that the Zaria actually has a motherboard speaker, and many case manufacturers have eliminated speakers from their cases. Some people don’t use them, but I do, and really miss them when they aren’t there.
Second, the HDD LED and power switch case header wires are bundled with power wires ending in male/female 4-pin Molex connectors. Unless you really want those Molex connectors lying on the floor of the case along with a PSU power cable, just separate the wires by gently pulling the Molex connectors in one direction and the case header connector in the other. The power wires are easily stowed in the opening behind the HDD bay along with the other slack.
Which gives mention to the fact that the Zaria is definitely conducive to cable management. Many midtowers aren’t. Stowing cables while wiring up the board was pretty easy.
Finally, install the video card and you’re done.
The lighting on the Zaria A10 is very conservative and clean, just the logo and the power button, which can be seen through the dust cover, and either or both can be easily turned off if you aren’t into external lights.
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