This photo report presents the step-by-step complete assembly of The First, from the mechanical structure to the electronics. The First is delivered with the mechanical structure already assembled. Only the electronics must be mounted.

Configuration

The chosen configuration is the following:

• Motherboard: MSI B250I Gaming Pro AC
• CPU: i7-6700k
• Graphic Card: ZOTAC GeForce GTX 1060 AMP! 6Gb GDDR5
• Storage: 2 SSD + 1 HDD
• Power Supply: Seasonic SGX 650 Gold

Components

The First is a case with integrated cooling 100% dismountable. It is composed of the following mechanical parts:

• Structure: – 1 passive heatsink for both CPU & GPU – 2 metal studs (front) and 1 structural plate (rear) – 1 bottom plate – 1 top plate – Screws
•   Electronics: – 2 moving mounting kits (CPU & GPU) – 1 mounting plate for SFX power supplies – Screws
•   Aesthetic: – 3 “U”-shaped aluminium sheets – 1 aluminium back plate – 1 front panel – 1 top plate – 4 silicone feet – Screws

Photos 1 to 6:

The first step consists in the assembly of the heatsink with the chassis mechanical structure. The following sequence must be respected:

1. Place the CPU moving mounting kit onto the CPU heat exchanger
2. Assemble the 2 metal studs and the structural plate onto the heatsink
3. Assemble the bottom and top plates to strengthen the structure

Don’t hesitate to turn the heatsink upside down to ease the assembly process. This will not have any effect on the heatsink cooling capacity and later operations. Since The First is delivered with the mechanical structure already assembled, these photos are for reference only.

Photos 7 to 9

Once the mechanical structure assembled, electronics can be mounted. The following sequence must be respected:

1. Remove the GPU stock cooler (heatsink and fan, HSF). Only the GPU PCB is required.
2. Remove the right-side metal stud (between the 2 heat exchangers)
3. Place the GPU moving mounting kit onto the GPU heat exchanger
4. Add some thermal paste on the chip and place the GPU card from below
5. Slightly screw the GPU onto the heat exchanger with dedicated screws.

Additional remarks: – In this configuration, a small GPU has been used. However, larger cards (up to 270 mm PCB) are also compatible as shown on photo 8. – We recommend at first a trial assembly without thermal grease, to correctly position the components before the final assembly.

Photos 10 to 13

Once the GPU is assembled, the following sequence must be respected:

1. Turn the chassis 45 degrees to the left
2. Add some thermal paste on the chip and place the CPU card directly onto the CPU moving mounting kit
3. Align both cards (GPU & CPU) until their respective PCI ports face each other. Moving mounting kits enable the GPU and CPU to translate vertically and horizontally respectively
4. Plug PCI ports and turn screws, slowly and simultaneously with both cards
5. Once it has been done, check if both chips are in contact with the heat exchangers

Your electronics cards are hence mounted.

Photos 14 to 17

The power supply can be now assembled with the chassis. If you have chosen an ATX format, the SFX mounting plate is not required as shown on photo 15. If you have chosen an SFX format:

1. Place and screw the power supply mounting plate inside the chassis.
2. Place and screw the power supply inside the chassis.

Storage is designed as is: – SSDs can be either mounted onto the left-side metal stud (2 slots) or onto the bottom plate (1 slot) as shown on photo 16. – HDDs can be mounted onto the bottom plate, only if a SFX power supply (significantly smaller) as shown on photo 16. The PC electronics configuration is now fully assembled. The right-side metal stud can be put back in place.

Photos 18 to 20

The last part of the assembly process consists in placing the aesthetical skins around the mechanical structure. The following sequence must be respected:

1. Place and screw the front panel
2. Place and screw the aluminium back plate
3. Place and screw at the back the “U”-shaped bottom, middle, and upper part aluminium skins
4. Place the 4 silicone MonsterLabo feet.

The First is now fully assembled and ready for computing!

Additional remarks: – These photos were taken without any cabling and wires to facilitate understanding. – A video tutorial will be soon available with additional details such as fan mounting, graphic card disassembly. – The First is delivered with the mechanical structure already assembled. Only the electronics must be mounted.