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Home > How To Build A Computer > Building Guide > Lesson 8: Mounting the Motherboard Part 2 – Installing the I/O Faceplate

Step 1: Remove back I/O panel from case

On the back of the case is a removable I/O faceplate.

Since all motherboards are different, yours may not line up with the faceplate that's pre-installed so it needs to be removed.

To do this, push in on the faceplate from the outside on each of it's four edges pushing it towards the inside of the case. It will pop out and you can either keep or discard the faceplate. I like to keep all the extra pieces in the motherboard shipping box so I know where they are located.

Step 2: Installing a new faceplate

You motherboard should come with a replacement faceplate for the case. It will look similar to the one we just removed from the case.

To install the new faceplate, we first have to line up the holes on the faceplate to the motherboard. Simply hold the faceplate up to the motherboard and the holes should line up. If not, flip the faceplate over until they line up.

You guessed it, the faceplate installs the same way you removed the pre-installed one. From the inside of the case, press towards the outside of the case on each of the four sides until it snaps into place.

Next Lesson: Installing the PSU

It's time to install the power supply before we finish installing the motherboard: Lesson 9: Installing the Power Supply.