Starting the Computer?!

Next up was getting the AIO mounted and in place in the front of the case.

The H100i included a 240mm radiator, exchanging liquid from a pump that sits directly on the CPU. In this particular cooler, there were also two fans included that I would use as intake fans for my entire system. For the NZXT H201i, the only space I would be able to fit and mount this would be at the front, so I got to work taking apart the front of the case and the bracket the AIO would be mounted to. 

At first glance, the case looks like it has zero perforation to take in air from the front, but the dual sided and slotted intake portions sitting right behind the front panel take in a fair amount of air, which assured me that I would have a balance between intake and exhaust.

I successfully mounted the fans to the radiator, and the radiator to the front bracket. After mounting, the AIO slid into the case with ease and allowed me to get a better idea for the remainder of space I had left for the graphics card.

I then mounted the AIO pump to the CPU, and finished connecting the various power and data cables from the motherboard, front panel, and graphics card.

It was finally looking like an almost completed build! While managing cables through the back of the case, I realized that I had just barely enough clearance to connect my motherboard and GPU cables outside of the case, so I decided to wire up what I could and see if I could at least get the computer to power on.

Success!! I couldn't actually believe it, but my computer turned on in the first attempt, and even went straight to the MB BIOS screen. Here, I was able to see that my graphics card, CPU, RAM, and AIO were all reading properly. During this time, I did find out that my AIO pump needed to be wired via USB to change any of the RGB colors and fan speed, and reluctantly I did not have any more available USB connectors left on my motherboard, as the only one I had was currently hooked up to the front case assembly. That problem would be soon resolved by ordering a multi USB hub. But for now, at least seeing my computer power on was a sight to behold.

I decided to leave my build off here, as I was in a good spot knowing it would turn on, but still had plenty of work to do:

• Wait for arrival of PSU cable extenders and install

• Create a Microsoft Windows install drive to run Windows 10

• Research and order peripherals: keyboard, mouse, monitor [as I was borrowing them from family at the time]

• Buy a DESK to put the damned thing on!