Coolermaster Praetorian- Drives/P4C-800ED Install Help

[QZ]

Just got the Coolermaster Praetorian case, but I can't figure out how to
install the *top 5.25 drive and the top 3.5 drive*, they don't have seem to
have the same mechanisms as the other 5.25 and 3.5 drives.

(The other 5.25s use 4 screws. The other ext. 3.5 uses a rail. The int. 3.5s
use 2 screws and a rail.)

Does anybody know to install those top drives?

The board install looks simple to me. Any tips?

Thanks,
QZ

 

[Michael S.]

QZ--I used the CoolerMaster ATCS 201B case which appears identical except
that mine has a clear side panel and I only have two USB's and not the other
ports behind the little access door in the front. From the pics, these two
cases do appear fully identical in their interiors. I filled all four
external 5.25" bays and they all mounted the same way--with four machine
screws--each of the four external bays has two rows of slots for the
screws--is your case not that design?? I have three HDDs in three of the
four internal bottom bays and they also mounted with machine screws in the
standard fashion. I did not need any adapter rails for any of the drives,
including the floppy drive. Wish I could help on this, but am unsure why
the mountings would be anything other than standard.

To clarify, to which two top drives are you referring--the top two externals
near the top of the front of the case or the top two internal drives that
are behind the front fans?

You will find the removable motherboard tray WONDERFUL--just make sure that
the standoffs are mounted in the correct holes for the motherboard that you
are using and careful of static. The quality of this case is the best that
I have seen--my experience has been only with factory cases, so this was a
huge step up. BTW--I replaced the front two sleeve bearing fans with
CoolerMaster blue-LED rifle bearing fans ($8 each) and the blue light shines
through the filter and front grill for IMHO an appealing look--also did the
same for the top fan and removed the internal filter on it--did not
understand why I would want to filter the air going out and reduce the
output of the top exhaust fan.

Too bad that CoolerMaster creates such wonderful products, but has a poor
Web site and equally poor directions with their products.

Good luck

MikeSp

 

[QZ]

I filled all four
external 5.25" bays and they all mounted the same way--with four machine
screws--each of the four external bays has two rows of slots for the
screws--is your case not that design??

This is the inside of the Praetorian case:

<http://www.newegg.com/app/Showimage.asp?image=11-119-029-10.jpg/11-119-029-
09.jpg/11-119-029-08.jpg/11-119-029-11.jpg/11-119-029-04.JPG/11-119-029-12.j
pg>

I looked at it again, and what threw me off were the blank 5.25" drive
plates; the holes of the top one (which you can't see there) don't line up
with the slots, but I guess that is irrelevent. The slots are all
equidistant, that is all that matters, right?

I have three HDDs in three of the
four internal bottom bays and they also mounted with machine screws in the
standard fashion. I did not need any adapter rails for any of the drives,
including the floppy drive. Wish I could help on this, but am unsure why
the mountings would be anything other than standard.

I guess they aren't rails, I think they are called tabs or slides?
Do you see how the bottom ext. 3.5" drive has a tab on either side, but the
top one doesn't, why is that?
Regardless, I guess the two screws are enough.

To clarify, to which two top drives are you referring--the top two externals
near the top of the front of the case or the top two internal drives that
are behind the front fans?

I was referring to the top 5.25" and the top ext. 3.5". All of the int. 3.5"
drive areas have the same tabs.

You will find the removable motherboard tray WONDERFUL--just make sure that
the standoffs are mounted in the correct holes for the motherboard that you
are using and careful of static.

I bought an anti-static mat, grounding cord, and wrist wrap. I have to
install the snap on the mat, but there are no instructions. Do you have one?

The quality of this case is the best that
I have seen--my experience has been only with factory cases, so this was a
huge step up. BTW--I replaced the front two sleeve bearing fans with
CoolerMaster blue-LED rifle bearing fans ($8 each) and the blue light shines
through the filter and front grill for IMHO an appealing look--also did the
same for the top fan and removed the internal filter on it--did not
understand why I would want to filter the air going out and reduce the
output of the top exhaust fan.

Sounds good. But, I already bought 4 PC Power and Cooling fans, because they
are ball-bearing fans, 1600 RPM, quiet.

Too bad that CoolerMaster creates such wonderful products, but has a poor
Web site and equally poor directions with their products.

Agreed. That reminds me, I couldn't figure out how to get to the front two
fans. I had to look for a review, just to find out that the front filter has
a screw in an opening on either side of it. I just hope the screwdriver can
hold the screw for removal and replacement.

 

[Michael S.]

SNIP

I guess they aren't rails, I think they are called tabs or slides?
Do you see how the bottom ext. 3.5" drive has a tab on either side, but the
top one doesn't, why is that?
Regardless, I guess the two screws are enough.

Again--the interior of your Praetorian is identical to the interior of my
ATSC 201B case and both of my 3.5" exterior bays have two rear slots AND
single holes in front so that four screws can be used with each exterior 3.5
inch drive (one screw in each hole and one screw in one of the paired
slots). The floppy slide right in and mounted up without any other
hardware.

I was referring to the top 5.25" and the top ext. 3.5". All of the int. 3.5"
drive areas have the same tabs.


I bought an anti-static mat, grounding cord, and wrist wrap. I have to
install the snap on the mat, but there are no instructions. Do you have

one?

No--I do have a wrist strap that I sometimes use if there is any static like
there is in the winter time, but otherwise, I use the inside of the
antistatic bag in which the motherboard was shipped (don't use the outside,
the antistatic coating is only on the inside). I used to service enterprise
computers for a school district and never took the time to use any
antistatic devices, but made sure that I grounded myself on the case before
handling any internal mechanisms and never had any problems after working in
several hundred computers over the years.

Sounds good. But, I already bought 4 PC Power and Cooling fans, because they
are ball-bearing fans, 1600 RPM, quiet.

The rifle-bearings are only used by Cooler Master and are actually as good
as ball bearings and some consider them quieter. But 1600 RPM should also
be pretty quiet--I have mine turned down to 1800 RPM and the cooling is
quite adequate. The OEM Intel fan makes more noise than the other four (or
five counting the PSU) fans combined, but in order to keep the warranty, I
elected to keep and use the OEM Intel CPU fan. I do have it under control
of the motherboard to slow it down when less cooling is required and that
helps some.

Agreed. That reminds me, I couldn't figure out how to get to the front two
fans. I had to look for a review, just to find out that the front filter has
a screw in an opening on either side of it. I just hope the screwdriver can
hold the screw for removal and replacement.

If the front of your case attaches like mine (I believe that yours is
actually an evolution of my case), it uses an allen wrench on 6 recessed
screws, so that there is little liklihood of slipping and scratching the
front.

Good luck

MikeSp

 

[ChrisH]

..... That reminds me, I couldn't figure out how to get to the front two
fans. I had to look for a review, just to find out that the front filter has
a screw in an opening on either side of it. I just hope the screwdriver can
hold the screw for removal and replacement.

Just remove the 6 screws and pull off the front plate complete. Much
easier to get the grille off and access the fans. I did this when I
changed mine for LED fans.

 

[Michael S.]

QZ--forgot to mention when I read that you replaced the case fans with PC
Power and Cooling fans--that I used one of their PSU's in this new build and
if their fans are as good as their PSU, then those 1600 RPM fans should be
very quiet and efficient.

MikeSp

 

[QZ]

Again--the interior of your Praetorian is identical to the interior of my
ATSC 201B case and both of my 3.5" exterior bays have two rear slots AND
single holes in front so that four screws can be used with each exterior 3.5
inch drive (one screw in each hole and one screw in one of the paired
slots). The floppy slide right in and mounted up without any other
hardware.

OK, thanks for the explanation.

The OEM Intel fan makes more noise than the other four (or
five counting the PSU) fans combined, but in order to keep the warranty, I
elected to keep and use the OEM Intel CPU fan. I do have it under control
of the motherboard to slow it down when less cooling is required and that
helps some.

AFAIK, as long as you use an approved HSF, it won't damage the CPU, and your
warranty is intact.

If the front of your case attaches like mine (I believe that yours is
actually an evolution of my case), it uses an allen wrench on 6 recessed
screws, so that there is little liklihood of slipping and scratching the
front.

I have an allen wrench set, with the correct size, but it isn't loosening. I
would have to use more force. Is there any chance of damaging the screws
with the correct allen wrench?

 

[Michael S.]

I would try several of the allen screws to see if any will come loose
easily--applying too much force to the el cheapo allen screws would probably
strip the allen socket in the end of the screw and then they would have to
be drilled out (CRINGE!). As a looooooong shot, you could freeze the allen
wrench and then apply it to a stuck allen screw and hope that enough of the
cold would be transferred (OK technically, the heat from the screw would be
transferred to the allen wrench) to shrink the screw enough so that it could
be loosened without damaging it. All six of mine were very snuch but all
broke loose with the supplied allen wrench--Good Luck on yours.

MikeSp
-----------------------------

 

[QZ]

I would try several of the allen screws to see if any will come loose
easily--applying too much force to the el cheapo allen screws would probably
strip the allen socket in the end of the screw and then they would have to
be drilled out (CRINGE!).

They didn't supply an an allen wrench, but one of the ones I have is
definately correct. They supplied many standoffs and screws. I read a
review, and they didn't mention an allen wrench, I think they stopped
providing it.

What is the key to not damaging the screws, do I just turn the wrench or do
I push and turn the wrench?

On another note, one of the installation papers I have, says the front panel
IEEE 1394, USB, and Audio can only be used with compatible motherboards. Is
the P4C800-E Dlx. compatible?