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Have you started the setup outside the enclosure yet? I usually do this before placing the machine inside. It simplifies identifying any issues that might have occurred outside. Place the motherboard on the box it arrived in, fit the AIO, connect your 24-pin and 8-pin CPU power connector, and install the display. Power it on. Ensure it completes all its startup cycles and reaches BIOS. You can add Windows during installation if desired, though it won’t significantly change the process. Is the case open sideways so the motherboard can rest on the mounting points (those pins)? Gravity assists with this. You should have nine standoffs for an ATX board. If they weren’t included in the box, you’ll find more in the accessories package. Personally, I prefer installing any fans not included in the AIO and the power supply first, then running the necessary cables—power, fans, and front panel—to their final positions. Keeping the motherboard and all components inside the case provides extra space for organization. Next, I’ll attach the cooler to the motherboard, then place the AIO and install the motherboard into the case. Finally, mount the GPU and reinstall Windows. Whether you connect via WiFi or Ethernet doesn’t matter; it’s fine to just sit on the case top or have it protrude from the back. The price isn’t a factor in how confusing your initial build will be. As I mentioned earlier, just get it going and move on.
I've reviewed the video. He maintains the same case as you. Check out his approach and the case—it might simplify things.
I reviewed that video and discovered another similar one featuring Intel. He explains the process more clearly, step by step. It looks like the motherboard alignment issue is common with that model. He removes a few screws, which is acceptable, but I started with all screws loose and then gently twisted the board slightly to help the remaining holes align.
I just put the motherboard in place. Most screws are in, but the IO alignment is off a bit. It seems there might be a case problem. The person in the video didn’t mention much about mounting the AiO, and it looks like they used a different AiO version.
AIOs are typically installed by putting the fans on first, usually on the side of the tubes. You’ll see in the picture how this directs air through the radiator. Take off the plastic covering on the cooling head before mounting. The cooling compound should be applied once; for the second time, replace it with thermal paste or sheet. Tighten the fan mounting nuts gradually to maintain even pressure as they spread with increased torque. Ensure cables exit from a single point. Refer to the manual for detailed connections. I wouldn’t mount the CPU_FAN, but if you don’t use it, disable alarms on its header in BIOS as per the instructions.
They should be positioned with the thin cable hanging down in a way that fits your setup.
I’m unfamiliar with the cables, their functions, or where they should be installed. There are numerous cables involved, and YouTube tutorials often lack detailed guidance. Should I install AiO on the motherboard first and then attach everything, or should I mount the AiO to the case before the motherboard? Each approach seems valid, but the choices vary widely and I’m confused about which is best. Every manual presents its own perspective, ignoring the overall setup. This process is much more complex than what most guides or friends suggest.
It's logical. Did you check the video from Coolermaster? Fans are positioned on the backside of the radiator when installed, making it simpler to extract cables through the holes in the case near the back of the radiator. This allows better cable management behind your mainboard. Intel setup begins in the middle of the video, indicating where to apply the thermal paste—about a pea-sized amount in the center. Remove the plastic cover before pressing it onto the CPU and securing the screws until they are fully tightened. Use the CPU_FAN header for the fans, and AIO_FAN header for the pump.