Micro Center  Connect with Us  EXTRAS: Frequently Asked
Motherboard Questions  Q: When installing hard drives, does it
matter which SATA port the drive connects to on the motherboard?
A: SATA hard drives and optical drives can connect to any SATA
port on the motherboard. There is no specific order for
connecting SATA drives.  Q: When installing the CPU, is thermal
paste required? A: Yes, thermal paste is required for heat to
properly transfer from the CPU to the heatsink/fan assembly.  Q:
Is it important to use an anti-static mat or wrist band when
installing the motherboard or other components? A: Yes, using an
anti-static mat and/or wrist band is very important to prevent
electrostatic discharge (ESD) from transferring to the
components and possibly rendering them inoperable.  Q: Are
standoffs always required when installing the motherboard? A:
Some cases have built-in motherboard standoffs, however some do
not and require standoffs. Most computer cases will come
equipped with motherboard standoffs if they