Installing a Motherboard
January 7, 2011 3:09 PM Subscribe
No stand-off/riser screws came with my new PC case. Can I install the Motherboard without them?
I bought this case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811154087 and it came with a bunch of screws, but none of the "stand off" screws that raise the motherboard.
Now, the holes that the motherboard screws into are raised a bit. Do you think since it didn't come with the stand off screws, I don't need them? Or do I need to get some from somewhere?
Thanks!
I bought this case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811154087 and it came with a bunch of screws, but none of the "stand off" screws that raise the motherboard.
Now, the holes that the motherboard screws into are raised a bit. Do you think since it didn't come with the stand off screws, I don't need them? Or do I need to get some from somewhere?
Thanks!
Don't know if there's one near you, but Microcenter has them.
posted by Salvor Hardin at 3:36 PM on January 7, 2011
posted by Salvor Hardin at 3:36 PM on January 7, 2011
Response by poster: Another quick question- one of the corners of the MOBO doesn't sit all the way down against the hole, and the screw won't reach unless I push it. Is this okay, or should I leave that screw out?
posted by kraigory at 3:38 PM on January 7, 2011
posted by kraigory at 3:38 PM on January 7, 2011
Don't ever force something like that, it could strain something, causing a crack later. I've cracked a(n old) motherboard with relatively small force before.
posted by deezil at 3:49 PM on January 7, 2011
posted by deezil at 3:49 PM on January 7, 2011
I've always thought the reason for the standoffs wasn't so much for airflow as to make sure that the back side of the motherboard doesn't come into direct contact with the side of the case and short out. You'd have to check for sure in person, but the pictures on newegg look like you'd probably be OK without them.
The other issue I can think of would be expansion cards--if you need standoffs and don't use them, the card may not seat properly (and if you use them and shouldn't, you may not be able to fasten the retaining screw all the way). I'd take a look at the cards and see if you can work out if they intended for you to use standoff or not just from that.
I haven't built a machine (yet), though, so I'll gladly defer to someone who has actual knowledge.
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On preview: I'd definitely avoid anything that flexes the motherboard--you want it to be secure, but you don't need to use every hole. (But if you've got holes at two different heights, that might be because some of the holes are intended to have standoffs and some aren't.)
posted by yuwtze at 3:50 PM on January 7, 2011
The other issue I can think of would be expansion cards--if you need standoffs and don't use them, the card may not seat properly (and if you use them and shouldn't, you may not be able to fasten the retaining screw all the way). I'd take a look at the cards and see if you can work out if they intended for you to use standoff or not just from that.
I haven't built a machine (yet), though, so I'll gladly defer to someone who has actual knowledge.
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On preview: I'd definitely avoid anything that flexes the motherboard--you want it to be secure, but you don't need to use every hole. (But if you've got holes at two different heights, that might be because some of the holes are intended to have standoffs and some aren't.)
posted by yuwtze at 3:50 PM on January 7, 2011
Maybe if you go to a local computer shop they'll just give you some.
posted by PaulBGoode at 3:59 PM on January 7, 2011
posted by PaulBGoode at 3:59 PM on January 7, 2011
You really should have standoffs in there, but there are standoffs of different lengths...you might need a longer one for that corner (but that would be weird...the holes in the cases are standardized)...
Typically the standoffs come with the case, not so much with the motherboard.
You can buy them at any electronics store...Radioshack may have some...Fry's...Best Buy...
posted by AltReality at 4:02 PM on January 7, 2011
Typically the standoffs come with the case, not so much with the motherboard.
You can buy them at any electronics store...Radioshack may have some...Fry's...Best Buy...
posted by AltReality at 4:02 PM on January 7, 2011
I think the standoffs will be unnecessary. The raised divets on the tray should hold the MB just fine. If you add risers to them, I doubt the backplate of the case will mate with the motherboard correctly. It's easy enough to test in any event.
If you need some support risers, the little plastic clip in ones work great. Absent those, I've used legos and superglue in a pinch. They're just for structrual support for adding cards or whatever anyway.
posted by Pogo_Fuzzybutt at 4:11 PM on January 7, 2011
If you need some support risers, the little plastic clip in ones work great. Absent those, I've used legos and superglue in a pinch. They're just for structrual support for adding cards or whatever anyway.
posted by Pogo_Fuzzybutt at 4:11 PM on January 7, 2011
If the holes are raised, you don't need the riser screws. In fact if you add riser screws, the alignment with the back ports will be off.
posted by wongcorgi at 4:15 PM on January 7, 2011
posted by wongcorgi at 4:15 PM on January 7, 2011
Those raised holes are built-in standoffs. Standoffs ALWAYS come with the case if it needs them. If you put standoffs in that case, the motherboard will not fit correctly, guaranteed.
posted by zjacreman at 5:06 PM on January 7, 2011
posted by zjacreman at 5:06 PM on January 7, 2011
Agreed, if the holes are raised, then you don't need standoffs and nothing should short. The part around the hole that is raised should be rather small, enough so the just the cleared area around the mounting hole on the motherboard comes into contact with the raised hole. If any other part does, this that's not good and these probably aren't intended as built in standoffs.
Another thing, if you get risers and it was meant to work without, the I/O ports on the back won't align with the I/O shield.
posted by Brian Puccio at 5:30 PM on January 7, 2011
Another thing, if you get risers and it was meant to work without, the I/O ports on the back won't align with the I/O shield.
posted by Brian Puccio at 5:30 PM on January 7, 2011
yuwtze has it. Case closed.
(see what I did there)
That is to say, the case was either designed to have them or not. The way you tell is by fitting the motherboard. If the back panel connectors line up, and the expansion slots line up, then that is the correct place for the board. Equally important, if any leads from the back side of the board seem to touch the metal of the case, that is a problem.
posted by Chuckles at 8:57 PM on January 7, 2011
(see what I did there)
That is to say, the case was either designed to have them or not. The way you tell is by fitting the motherboard. If the back panel connectors line up, and the expansion slots line up, then that is the correct place for the board. Equally important, if any leads from the back side of the board seem to touch the metal of the case, that is a problem.
posted by Chuckles at 8:57 PM on January 7, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 3:16 PM on January 7, 2011