Motherboard i/o shield necessar?

[kommisar]

I am installing a new motherboard in an old case and the i/o shield that came with the motherboard does not quite fit in the case opening. Will there be any consequences of operating the computer without the i/o shield? It appears as if the i/o shield is supposed to make electrical contact with each output port. Is this some kind of static discharge function?

 

[lehtv]

You should be fine without it. I don't have an I/O shield for my motherboard which I bought used. Been working fine for nearly 3 years.

 

[richaron]

does not quite fit in the case opening

Did you try using force? I find using brute strength solves most problems... Also they should all be the same size.

Running without it will mess up airflow (it's actually kinda important), get dusty, & make it butt-ugly. I'm sure there is some Grounding function served by the shield, but that's probly never going to be needed. It should be fine.

 

[kommisar]

Did you try using force? I find using brute strength solves most problems... Also they should all be the same size.

The opening is about an 1/8" too small in length and there are rounded corners which prevent the square corners of the i/o shield from fitting in the opening. I would have to grind or file away heavy case steel in order to make it fit.

 

[richaron]

The opening is about an 1/8" too small in length and there are rounded corners which prevent the square corners of the i/o shield from fitting in the opening. I would have to grind or file away heavy case steel in order to make it fit.

Needs more force

It's probly a proprietary fitting. As said above, it should be ok. Just keep an eye on dust & temps.

 

[Sunny129]

i believe its primary purpose is just to keep dust out. i'm pretty sure it doesn't provide any grounding/static discharge purpose. it certainly isn't a necessity. in fact, i think the only situation where it might be considered necessary is one in which the user wants his/her case to maintain positive or negative pressure. i know that I/O shields are far from airtight, but they do allow less air to seep in or out of the case when installed.

 

[unokitty]

Hasn't had a negative impact for me.

Unless you are building something that generates substantial heat and requires substantial cooling, I can't see how it would be a problem. (Other than the aesthetics.)

Best of luck,
Uno

 

[wirednuts]

i just had an io plate from msi that wouldnt fit into a cheap case... i struggled and struggled, almost gave up and then i finally got pissed and really started tweakin it to get it to fit. then suddenly, POP it snapped into place and fit perfectly. kinda made me feel dumb because i really thought it was defective but i guess i just wasnt doing it the way it wanted to be done.