How to Install a Framework Desktop Mainboard Into a Mini‑ITX Case

Place the Mainboard on your work surface with its heatsink resting on a soft, clean cloth.

Use your Framework Desktop Screwdriver to loosen the captive T5 Torx screw securing the secondary storage.

While securing the secondary storage heat spreader with one hand, use your Framework Desktop Screwdriver to remove the 4.5 mm‑long T5 Torx screw securing it.

Lift the secondary storage heat spreader out of the Desktop and remove it.

Follow the guide normally, making sure to ignore instructions that involve the secondary heat spreader.

While holding the heat spreader upright, align the SSD's gold contacts with its socket.

Insert the SSD into the socket at a shallow angle. The gold contacts should be mostly covered by the socket.

Insert your Framework Desktop Screwdriver into the captive screw on the secondary storage heat spreader and press it flat to the Mainboard.

Tighten the screw securing the secondary storage.

Remove the side panel from your case so you can access the cutout for the Mainboard.

Lay the case on its side.

Move the cables out of the way of the Mainboard cutout.

Grip the Mainboard by the heatsink and place it into its cutout, making sure the ports aligns with its slot in the case.

Use your Framework Desktop Screwdriver to install the four 8.2 mm‑long Phillips screws securing the Mainboard.

Use your Framework Desktop Screwdriver to loosen the captive T5 Torx screw securing the primary storage.

While securing the primary storage heat spreader with one hand, use your Framework Desktop Screwdriver to remove the 4.5 mm‑long T5 Torx screw securing it.

Lift the primary storage heat spreader out of the desktop and remove it.

Follow the guide normally, making sure to ignore instructions that involve the primary storage heat spreader.

While holding the heat spreader upright, align the SSD's gold contacts with its socket.

Insert the SSD into the socket at a shallow angle. The gold contacts should mostly be covered by the socket.

Lay the heat spreader back onto the SSD.

Insert your Framework Desktop Screwdriver into the captive screw on the primary storage heat spreader and press it flat to the Mainboard.

Tighten the screw securing the primary storage.

Orient the fan so its label is facing downward and the cable(s) are pointing towards their sockets on the Mainboard.

Lay the fan on top of the heatsink.

Lay the fan duct on top of the fan with the lip facing upward.

Align the screw holes on the fan duct with the ones on the fan.

Use your Framework Desktop Screwdriver to install the four 27.3 mm‑long Phillips screws securing the CPU fan and fan duct.

Slide the main fan cable over the four-pronged connector labeled "APU Fan," making sure the orange label slots between the vertical lines.

Use your fingers to slide the RGB cable over the three pronged connector located to the right of the "APU Fan" connector.

Slide the cable over the four-pronged connector labeled "Sys Fan1," making sure the orange label slots between the vertical lines.

Slide the front panel header cable into its 9-pin connector underneath the primary storage.

Slide the USB port cable into one of the USB Type-E 20-pin sockets above the primary storage.

If your case comes with a USB 3.0 20-pin connector, use an adapter to connect it to the other USB Type-E 20-pin socket.

Orient the 8-pin CPU power supply cable so its clip(s) are facing the heatsink.

Slide the cable into its socket on the Mainboard until you feel its clips click into place.

Orient the 24-pin main power supply cable so its clip is facing away from the heatsink.

Slide the cable into its socket on the Mainboard until you feel its clip click into place.

Slide the HD audio cable into its 9-pin connector next to the main power supply connector.

Stand your case upright.

Disassemble your case enough to access the bottom side of the Mainboard.

Lay your case down so the bottom of the Mainboard is facing upright.

Align the Wi-Fi module's gold contacts and notch with the socket on the Mainboard.

Insert the Wi-Fi module into the socket at a shallow angle. The gold contacts should mostly be covered by the socket.

Hold the Wi-Fi module down with your fingers.

Position the antenna cable connector over the left Wi-Fi module's coaxial socket.

Use your finger to press the connector into place. You should feel a faint click, and the cable will stay attached to the socket by itself.

Repeat the procedure with the other antenna cable.

Hook the Wi-Fi bracket over the corner of the Wi-Fi module opposite the antenna cables.

Rotate the bracket over the Wi-Fi module, making sure the screw hole isn't being obstructed by the antenna cables.

Use your Framework Desktop Screwdriver to install the 7.0 mm‑long screw securing the Wi-Fi module.

Reassemble the case and plug the AC Cable into the desktop.

You're done installing your Framework Desktop Mainboard! If you haven't transferred your data, you'll need to install an OS.