Assembling the Mini-ITX Ubuntu Server (1/27/2025)
Assembling the Mini-ITX Ubuntu Server (1/27/2025)
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Installing The Power Supply
Set Case on Workbench and Detach Side + Top Panels
Line up the Power Supply with the Power Supply Bracket, making sure the Fan is facing towards you
Secure the Power Supply by Screwing in The Brackets / Line Them Up With the Holes
Take the Power Cord and Plug it into the Power Supply, Make Sure to Flip the Power Switch to “ON”
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Prepare The Motherboard
Prepare a Work area for the Motherboard, placing it on an anti-static bag
Depress the CPU Holder by grabbing the clip outward and then upward
Install the CPU, lining the corner arrow with the corner arrow on the motherboard and lower the CPU Cover / Holder once it’s inserted
Take the Thermal Paste Pen and apply Thermal Paste to the Top of The Now Secured CPU
Install the CPU Cooler on top of the CPU, screwing them in from the bottom (it’s okay to do that) since you can’t reach the screws from up top
(Make sure not to move the CPU Cooler too much / Keep it Steady)
Plug the CPU Cooler Connector into the Appropriate Pins on top of the Board (Opposite side of the PCIe Slot)
Install the RAM Sticks into the RAM Slots
Remove the Cover, and Protective Strip, then install the NVMe Drive
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Install The Motherboard
Line up the Case on your Workbench. There is a specific area designed for the Motherboard to be mounted on (See Below)
Screw in the Motherboard to the Case
Connect the Motherboard with the Rest of the Board
Connect the USB-A Front Panel with it’s Motherboard Plugin
Connect the USB-C Front Panel with it’s Motherboard Plugin
Connect the Front Panel Power Button Connector to the Motherboard Pins
Connect the PCIe Connector to the PCIe Slot
Connect the CPU Power Connector from the PSU (CPU Slot) to the CPU Power Slot on the Motherboard
Connect the PCI Power Connector from the PSU (PCI Slot) - Save for GPU
Connect The Motherboard Power Connector from the PSU (Motherboard Slot) to the Motherboard Power Slot on the Motherboard
Connect the SATA Power Connector to the PSU (SATA Slot) - Save for HDD’s
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Install The GPU
Turn the Case Around and look for the PCIe Slot on the other side
Slide the GPU into the PCI-e Slot
Take your GPU and Line it up with the Exterior Metal Bracket
Connect the PCI Connector we plugged into the PSU Earlier into the GPU (it’s 6 Pin, 4 Pin Connector + 2 Pin Connector)
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Install Additional Drives
Pull the SATA Power Cables we had attached previously to the PSU through to the area you would like to have the Hard Drive(s) rest in
Plug your SATA Data Cables into the Motherboard
Attach the SATA Power Cables to the Hard Disk Drives, Attach the SATA Data Cables to the Hard Disk Drives, each in their Respective Places
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Install Case Fan
You shouldn’t expect the CPU Fan to do all of the work when it comes to cooling the CPU, so install a case fan!
Connect the Fan Connector to the Fan Controller Pins on the Motherboard (you may need to check your motherboard manual for the location)
In our case we literally stuffed the Case Fan in at the top, find a spot that works for you
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Power On The System
MAKE SURE THE RAM STICKS ARE ACTUALLY IN!
Plug your PSU into an Outlet and Hit the Power Button, if you see this screen, congrats! It’s running!
The Motherboard Lights will also change a bit, with Green Being a Good Sign
NOTE: If you see Orange Lights, then your RAM sticks aren’t seated correctly, plug them in fully
Change Settings to Power Saving
Refer to: Power Saving Settings (Mini-ITX Board)
Attach Wifi Antenna to Back of Motherboard. Power Off and Install Desired OS (Ubuntu Server in our case)
Since we’re using this as a Server, connect it to the Motherboard and ensure you can access the Server over the network before continuing