Are those copper Stand-offs Necessary?

[giantpinkbunnyhead]

If I'm putting a new mobo into a case, is the use of those little copper standoffs necessary? I thought that they were; but when I use those things... the raised height of the board means that the I/O connections don't align with the faceplate and the card slots are also off. It seems the board would only work if I don't use the standoffs. Is that OK?

 

[moosey]

I think you need them so it doesn't short out. It should fit with them in there fine b/c that's how it should be designed. Did the standoffs come with your case?

 

[giantpinkbunnyhead]

well the thing is, the case is an old compaq case. When we removed the original Compaq mobo, there were no standoffs, however the case itself had raised mounds where the screws screw into that keep the mobo up a quarter inch. I thought that was odd and that's why I'm not sure about the standoffs being necessary. Are some boards out there designed to simply not need them?

 

[Fallen Kell]

Do you remember if the old motherboard had anything there? They may have used washer/spacers and not standoffs. I had an old HP that was similar if I remember correctly. But it was designed that way using padded spacers.

 

[Thegonagle]

You're right that it does seem a little odd. However, from your description, it sounds like the case is designed to accept the motherboard without using the stand-offs. (Compaq probably did things a little differently in order to save a little bit of time and money building it.)

Two things to look out for though: First--make sure all the holes line up with the "mounds," and that the mounds dont interfere with any electronic compunents on the underside of the board.

And second--be absolutely certain that no metal from the case touches any part of the motherboard, except at the screw holes themselves.

 

[Boonesmi]

Originally posted by: giantpinkbunnyhead
well the thing is, the case is an old compaq case. When we removed the original Compaq mobo, there were no standoffs, however the case itself had raised mounds where the screws screw into that keep the mobo up a quarter inch. I thought that was odd and that's why I'm not sure about the standoffs being necessary. Are some boards out there designed to simply not need them?

if the case already has the "raised mounds" then nope you dont need to use the additional ones

just make sure the cases "raised mounds" are in the right spots and you dont have a rogue one that will short out the bottom of the motherboard

 

[najames]

Just screw the board on the bumps, hook her all up. Face the computer, and put on a welders helmet, and turn it on. If you see sparks and molten computer flying, then smell fried circutry, sorry you needed those risers. If not and the computer runs, remove the welders helmet, there ain't gonna be no fireworks, and go about your normal business.

Ok, I am turing around now and bending over so you can kick me right square in the ass. Sorry, I just got this "vision" and was laughing so hard, I just had to write it. Please ignore this post, Jim you are an evil guy, very evil, wack!!!

 

[gramboh]

I made this frustrating mistake when I was buildiny my rig a week or so ago. The P180B case already has 9 built in stand-offs (in the most common positions) and come with 3 extra brass ones. I thought I had to screw the brass ones into the exisiting ones. This frustrated me because I only had 3 brass ones and 9 built in, so I thought I was short-changed.

After screwing the 3 extras into 3 of the built-in standoffs (I installed them where I figured they would support my MB the most) I screwed in the MB, and relized the I/O plane was not even close to aligned. At this time I realized 9+3=12 and the mistake I had made. Oops.

So in summary, if the case has built in stand-offs, you don't need to screw in extras, the easiest way to tell is if the MB I/O plane aligns with the hole in the case.