Motherboard mounting question please help

[theos0]

I just recently bought a Abit KN8 SLi and a thermaltake mambo case. When installing I noticed there are standoff holes built into the case so you don't have to use the little golden hex studs. But one of the built in standoff holes is touching a hole on the board that doesn't have the silver lining around it is this ok?

 

[EffeX]

Most Likely, If someone could show me the correct way to install a mother board that would be great. Not trying to steal your topic I just dont wanna make another one

 

[boomerang]

That ring of solder is to protect the board itself. It provides a cushion to prevent crushing the board when tightening the screw. You'll be fine.

Some people think it's a ground - it's not.

 

[boomerang]

Originally posted by: EffeX
Most Likely, If someone could show me the correct way to install a mother board that would be great. Not trying to steal your topic I just dont wanna make another one

This guide may be helpful.

 

[EffeX]

i looked at that i mean is it riser then washer then mobo then screw?

 

[JimPhelpsMI]

Hi, That ring of Solder is grounded to the MB circuitry. Doesn't matter if the riser touches it. Washer were necessary 10 to 15 years ago, but board designers got smart and started leaving sufficent space around the holes and grounding rings. Good Luck, Jim

 

[boomerang]

Well I just took a DVOM to a couple of boards and lo and behold, I have continuity between all the solder rings. I did not think that was the case, so I stand corrected .... sort of. Whether they actually provide a ground or not, I do not know.

Because, after having run numerous systems out of the case, I know that it is not necessary to ground through those rings for the system to run.

Now about the washers. So, if board designers are making the holes bigger and thus the washers are not now required, I guess we don't have to worry about the screws what, grounding the board?

And if in the old days, when the holes were smaller, we needed the washers to what, keep the screws from grounding the board?

This washer subject has been discussed numerous times here. I have messed with the washers a few times. One thing I have noticed is that the screws will actually "thread" through the washers. So the washer is actually trapped on the screw. If you put the screw through the motherboard and then holding the washer to the back side of the board, "thread" the screw through the washer, the screw is magically trapped there. You can turn the board every which way and the screw will not fall out.

Makes me think this could be handy installing or swapping boards in a case with tight quarters or with drives and cables in place. No trying to line up screws with the holes in the board dodging cables and wires or in the upper left corner close to the PS.

This is all my theory mind you. I could be wrong.

Having said all this, I never use the washers.

 

[JimPhelpsMI]

Hi Boom, A "Good" ground is not really necessary at the mounting holes. The rings are all connected together as you say and connected to the ground plane of the MB. The "GOOD" ground is all those black wires in the PSU cables and the chassis (CASE) ground is also connected in the PSU. Our engineers told us years ago that there must be only one connection between the boards and the case, but that turned out to be a mistake. Luck, Jim