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fasteners preinstalled

Minor Versionm

by Sandy Qualey-Dobson

Introduction

Before getting started it is a good idea to make sure you have everything you need. To get started with the Cooler Master Mainboard Case you will need:

  • Framework Laptop 13 Mainboard (any generation is compatible)
    • Before using the Mainboard outside of a Framework Laptop make sure you are on the latest BIOS and that Standalone mode has been enabled in the BIOS.
    •  If you don't have an RTC battery installed (like on 13th Gen or Ryzen 7040 Series) and you want to preserve the system clock after disconnecting power, you will be able to pick up an RTC battery in the Marketplace soon. The steps to remove and install the RTC cell can be found in this guide.
  • Framework Screwdriver or any screwdriver with a T5 bit

If you wish to install WiFi you will need:

To install the Audio board you will need:

  • Framework Laptop 13 Audio Board

If you don't wish to install WiFi in the case, you can skip steps 2-4 as well as step 6. If you don't intend to install an Audio Board you can skip steps 7 and 8.

  1. Included in the box you will find the following: Rubber Stand for standing the case upright on your desk (optional)
    • Included in the box you will find the following:

    • Rubber Stand for standing the case upright on your desk (optional)

    • The Mainboard case with 8 T5 fasteners preinstalled.

    • WiFi bracket for mounting the WiFi card (optional)

    • 3 smaller fasteners for the WiFi bracket and Audio Board (optional)

    • 4 VESA screws to mount the case on a 100mm x 100mm VESA bracket (These are included inside of the Rubber Stand as pictured)

  2. Remove these 8 fasteners and set them aside. If this is your first time assembling the case these fasteners will be preinstalled.
    • Remove these 8 fasteners and set them aside. If this is your first time assembling the case these fasteners will be preinstalled.

    • With the fasteners removed the top and bottom of the case should pull apart with little force.

    • If the top and bottom are not easily separated make sure that all 8 fasteners are removed and that no Expansion Cards are installed currently.

  3. If you are using the Framework Laptop Antenna this will fit into the guides highlighted in green. The Framework Laptop Antenna is fixed to the bottom of the case as shown in the second image.
    • If you are using the Framework Laptop Antenna this will fit into the guides highlighted in green.

    • The Framework Laptop Antenna is fixed to the bottom of the case as shown in the second image.

    • If you are using SMA Antennae these can be fitted into the holes highlighted in red

  4. The cables connecting the antenna to the WiFi Card are routed under the Mainboard and should be fitted into the cable guides.
    • The cables connecting the antenna to the WiFi Card are routed under the Mainboard and should be fitted into the cable guides.

    • If you are having difficulty fitting the antenna cables into the guides, you can carefully use the spudger end of the Framework Screwdriver to push the cables into place.

  5. Connect the black and white WiFi Antennas into their respective sockets on the module. You can see a little triangular indicator on the module's label pointing out which color goes where. Make sure to align them well before applying force to click them into place, as the connectors are small and fragile.
    • Connect the black and white WiFi Antennas into their respective sockets on the module. You can see a little triangular indicator on the module's label pointing out which color goes where. Make sure to align them well before applying force to click them into place, as the connectors are small and fragile.

    • For a video on how to attach these connectors, check this out.

  6. Lifting it carefully from the edges, align the holes on the Mainboard with the posts outlined in orange and place the Mainboard into the case.
    • Lifting it carefully from the edges, align the holes on the Mainboard with the posts outlined in orange and place the Mainboard into the case.

    • There are no fasteners to tighten at this stage.

    The mainboard mounting holes are too tight for at least the 11th gen intel. The usb-c ports won’t line up correctly. Use a hobby knife to widen the holes first. Use some canned air afterwards to blow any metal dust off the board.

    Pedro J Rampolla - Reply

  7. Insert the WiFi card into the WiFi socket on the Mainboard and use the WiFi bracket to secure it in place. If you are using the metal WiFi bracket that came with the case, you can align it using the post highlighted in orange. Using one of the three smaller fasteners that are included with the case.
    • Insert the WiFi card into the WiFi socket on the Mainboard and use the WiFi bracket to secure it in place.

    • If you are using the metal WiFi bracket that came with the case, you can align it using the post highlighted in orange. Using one of the three smaller fasteners that are included with the case.

    • If using the newer plastic WiFi bracket fits onto the card for alignment and includes the fastener in the bracket.

  8. Using two of the three included PCB fasteners, install the Audio Board in the lower left of the case.
    • Using two of the three included PCB fasteners, install the Audio Board in the lower left of the case.

  9. Using your fingernail or the spudger end of the Framework Screwdriver, flip up the black latch on the connector. Slide the cable in until the white line is almost at the edge of the connector.
    • Using your fingernail or the spudger end of the Framework Screwdriver, flip up the black latch on the connector.

    • Slide the cable in until the white line is almost at the edge of the connector.

    • Flip the black latch down to secure the cable in place.

  10. Before closing the case, it's a good idea to make sure that Storage and Memory are installed.
    • Before closing the case, it's a good idea to make sure that Storage and Memory are installed.

    • For guidance on installing storage please see Step 6 of the storage guide here.

    • For Memory please see Step 6 of the Memory guide here.

    • Now that all of the internal components are installed, you can close the case by tightening these 8 fasteners.

    • Do not over tighten these fasteners, once you feel resistance they are tight enough.

  11. Included in the box with the Cooler Master case is an optional rubber desk stand which simply pushes into the bottom two holes on the rear of the case. In the bottom of this rubber desk stand you will also find 4 bolts which can be used to attach the case to a VESA 100mm x 100mm bracket (for example on the rear of your monitor) In the bottom of this rubber desk stand you will also find 4 bolts which can be used to attach the case to a VESA 100mm x 100mm bracket (for example on the rear of your monitor)
    • Included in the box with the Cooler Master case is an optional rubber desk stand which simply pushes into the bottom two holes on the rear of the case.

    • In the bottom of this rubber desk stand you will also find 4 bolts which can be used to attach the case to a VESA 100mm x 100mm bracket (for example on the rear of your monitor)

  12. Expansion Cards are installed and removed in much the same way as the Framework Laptop.
    • Expansion Cards are installed and removed in much the same way as the Framework Laptop.

    • We recommend at least one USB-C Expansion Card for power, but the rest is up to you!

  13. The Framework Laptop normally augments power from the power adapter with power from the Battery. Since the Battery isn’t connected when using the Cooler Master Mainboard Case, you can maximize performance by using higher power adapters supporting up to 100W. We recommend using a minimum of a 60W adapter, like the Framework Laptop Power Adapter.
    • The Framework Laptop normally augments power from the power adapter with power from the Battery. Since the Battery isn’t connected when using the Cooler Master Mainboard Case, you can maximize performance by using higher power adapters supporting up to 100W. We recommend using a minimum of a 60W adapter, like the Framework Laptop Power Adapter.

    • After connecting power and any peripherals, you can power on the Mainboard using this button located next to one of the fasteners and highlighted in orange on the case.

Finish Line

9 other people completed this guide.

Sandy Qualey-Dobson

Member since: 07/19/2022

58 Guides authored

Team

Framework Member of Framework

7 Members

89 Guides authored

11 Comments

-Before using the Mainboard outside of a Framework Laptop make sure you are on the latest BIOS and that Standalone mode has been enabled in the BIOS.

Is there a way to do this after its been installed on the Cooler Master Case? I had upgraded my main board but did not change the BIOS settings of this before I removed it. Just wondering if there is an easier way to enable standalone mode on this old board without having to put it back into my laptop?

Thanks

Yusuf Abdulhussein - Reply

Unable to enable the Standalone Mode in the BIOS, since I purchased the AMD Mainboard and the case and the mainboard will not boot up. Also, cannot add an RTC batter since there isn't a socket for a battery. Unsure how to proceed.

Symptoms: the LEDs at either end flash blue and amber. LEDs will flash green a few times when doing different power on methods (hold pwer button, pull power). No POST is seen on the HDMI or DP outputs (using the USB-C dongles).

Steps Taken: Removed RAM and SSD, no change to symptoms. Let mainboard soak for 24 hours while connected to power. Used alternate power adapters (60 W and 100 W). Pressed/Held power button for 30 seconds.

Kevin Miller - Reply

Does the Framework Laptop 13 (AMD Ryzen 7040 Series) include a RTC/CMOS battery on the mainboard?

Followed by:

[RESOLVED Mainboard Standalone w/o Framework Laptop (AMD 7040; 5 7640U) - Community Support - Framework Community]

Michael -

The conversion for my old Intel motherboard 13th Gen worked great. However, after installing the driver set, there's a "unable to start" device error for the I2C HID Device. I'm assuming this is related to either the touchpad or fingerprint driver. Is there a way to stop that from appearing?

Michael - Reply

I had to log a ticket. My Gen11 mainboard is not resting flush inside due to the beige plastic at the base of the screw posts being a hair larger in diameter than the black screw posts. This prevents the clear cover from nicely clicking close and worse, the USB-C ports do not align with their module port holes.

Mark Stinson - Reply

Support is sending me a free replacement. 🙌🏽

Joseph -

I had this issue as well and created a ticket for it. What was your resolution?

Joseph -

I can't get that rubber stand to push in properly. Seems like it should be easy but I can't see the precise way to do this.

Tom Bell - Reply

Take care not to cross-thread any of the 8 screws that hold the case together. They're a bit soft and will strip easily.

Thank you, Framework, for offering the CoolerMaster case. Works like a charm!

Richard Tango-Lowy - Reply

I'm struggling to find Standalone Mode in the BIOS -- trying this with a 12th gen board and I can't seem to find any guides identifying where to set it. Any help anyone could provide would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

Dan Cooper - Reply

Does any of the motherboards support a SIM card ? Would it be possible to a module or the WIFI slot for the previous question .

At last a laptop that we dreamed about for decades ... the modular sets and the easiness of maintenance are excellent. Congratulations.

Thanks .

Thee Weeder - Reply

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