R&D
60 MAXIMUM PC SEP 2020 maximumpc.com
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NOW IT’S TIME for the power supply. The Fractal Design
Ion 760p is a fully modular 80+ platinum power supply
and more than enough for what we’ll need for this build.
In fact we’re only expecting it to pull 284W from the wall
under load. But if we do decide to upgrade in the future,
and add more drives, more cores, and more graphics
performance, we’ve got that extra headroom available
if we need it. Additionally, although theoretically not the
most efficient way of running a PSU, using less than 50%
of the power supply’s maximum rated wattage ensures
that the PSU fan won’t spin up, and in turn reduces
overall system noise during load and when idle.
Install the necessary cables, then slot the PSU in via
the back of the case, and secure with the same thumb
screws that were used for the motherboard.WITH THE POWER SUPPLY IN, simply route the cables
through the rubber grommets and install them into the
motherboard. We don’t have the graphics card in right
now, but it’s advisable to slot the PCIe power through the
cable hole in the PSU cover—that way you’re good to go
as soon as the GPU is installed.
It’s also a good time to install any fan headers or front
I/O ports that might be needed. If you’re looking for a
cleaner build and aren’t worried about connectivity, you
can get away with connecting just the front power button
if you so desire. That keeps cables out of the way, and
makes it look far cleaner.NOW TO GET THAT CPU tower fan in. This attaches via
rather frustrating little metal brackets. Attach one of
them to the two mounting holes on either side, and then
pull them back and stretch them over the heatsink until
they’re in the middle. It’s very fiddly and frustrating, and
if you remove them repeatedly they can w ar p ir repar ably,
to the point where the fan will fall off perpetually.
Fortunately be quiet! does include a spare pair, so if it
does happen you’ve got another set to swap out. Or you
can mount an additional 120mm to the back of the tower.
In the past we’ve used two fans at the same time, and
cable-tied them together between the two sets of metal
clips. It works well to keep them on the tower.
Once the fan is in position, tie the cable up into a little
loop, and then install it in the CPU fan header.THE LAST PIECE of the puzzle is the graphics card.
Simply remove the two PCIe slot covers in the rear of the
chassis that correspond to where the graphics card is
going to be installed. Slot it into position, and then use
the two screws from the covers to resecure it in place.
Once that’s out of the way, install the PCIe power cables
to the GPU.
Then it’s just a case of tidying up the back of the
chassis, resecuring all the panels, and installing your
favorite operating system, and you’re good to go.POWER SUPPLY IN CABLES IN
CPU FAN INSTALLATION GPU IN