1 THE BARE NECESSITIES

As always, we start with a stripdown of the case. Lay it on its side and remove the four case screws, then flip the case over, and remove the large plastic side. The Node 202 comes with an integrated PSU, which feeds through to a standard three-pin power port in the opposite corner of the case. You can remove the PSU if you like, but you’ll struggle to find another that fits for a sensible price. There aren’t any case fans to worry about, but the cabling is all bundled together, so free that up first. Fractal Design knows how to do cable management; there are numerous slots for cable ties inside this case. If you want to install fans, this case has the capacity for two 120mm fans in the GPU chamber – but these are complicated to mount, and for us, the PSU and CPU fans suffice. You may also want to remove the SATA drive bracket next to the PSU, as you’ll need it later.

2 BOARD MEETING

Ordinarily, we advise installing some components on the motherboard before sliding it inside the case, but not today – the overhead inside the 202 isn’t exactly spacious, and the power cables can get in the way. Pop in the rear I/O shield, then lower the motherboard into place; this might require some finger gymnastics to keep the PSU cables out of the way. The motherboard screws down at four points, and the screws come in the 202’s accessories box. Plug in the two motherboard power cables, feeding the eight-pin CPU power connector around the edge of the motherboard chamber, while the ATX cable can plug in directly. Fold the remaining cables into the space between the PSU and the metal plate that divides the case in two, and secure them with a cable tie – leave the SATA power cable free for now. The cables from the front I/O can be plugged in, feeding any excess length into the GPU cavity.

3 HAPPY MEMORIES

Time to install some components on the motherboard. The CPU can go in first – the Athlon 220GE drops neatly into the AM4 dock, and locks into place when the clasp is lowered. We’ll install the cooler later, as it’s the bulkiest component. For now, release the clasps on the memory slots, and install the RAM. You might need to shift the ATX power cable out of the way; the 202 is undeniably cramped inside. Push down the sticks until they click into place, then tidy up the cables as much as you can. This memory isn’t the cheapest option available, but with low CAS latency and 3,200MHz, it’s speedy and effective. If you want to install a GPU, do it now; plug in the L-shaped adapter and extender from the 202’s box, then remove the rear I/O covers, and plug in the card.

4 BRACKETEERING

This next step can be a tad tricky. Take the SATA drive bracket and screw in the SSD on the inner side, ensuring that it’s aligned correctly. When the bracket is returned to the case, the drive needs to be on the opposite side of the divider to the PSU, pointing toward the motherboard. Once you’re sure it’s in the correct position, feed through the power and SATA cables from the PSU and motherboard respectively, and plug them in before slotting the bracket back into place and screwing it down. It’s easiest to rest the bracket on the divider before screwing it back into place, so you can be certain the cables will stretch. If you have a short SATA cable to hand, we’d recommend using it. Keeping the total cable length inside this case to a minimum is a good plan.

5 STOCK AND LOAD

Everything else in place, it’s time to install the CPU cooler. We’re using the stock Athlon cooler, which isn’t particularly exciting, but will fit directly on to the bracket that comes fitted on the Strix X470-I Gaming. Be careful when removing this cooler from the box – it comes with a neat little lattice of thermal paste already applied to the base of the heatsink, so take care not to get any on your fingers. This might not look like a lot, but it’ll spread out evenly once the processor heats up, so there’s no need to apply any extra paste. Place the cooler in the center of the CPU, then align the bracket so that it attaches to the motherboard on both sides, before turning the plastic handle to clamp it down. Once it’s in place, plug it into the CPU fan connector on the motherboard.

6 TIDYING UP

This build might be finished, but we’re not done yet. Reassembling the 202 isn’t as simple as we’d like – no pop-off side panels or thumbscrews here, sadly. Before we seal the case up, it’s worth taking time to arrange your cables; the front I/O wires can be neatly bundled with a cable tie, and any loose cables should be tucked away where possible. In theory, this build shouldn’t need updating for a long time, so ensuring it’s tidy inside is a must. Once you’re satisfied, lower the plastic cover back on to the case, turn it over – carefully! – and screw it on. If you want to mount it upright, you’re done; place it on the plastic mount, and it’s ready to plug in and use. If you’d prefer to lie it flat, cut out the rubber feet, and peel off the sticky backs to secure them on the bottom of the case.