Mounting motherboard on wall

[Syringer]

I'm looking for something like this:

for an HTPC set up, but can't find the actual product (just did a google search for it). It'll be a low power setup, most likely a mini-itx motherboard so heat shouldn't be a major issue, and I'll do my best to dust it off regularly--but I really love the exposed caseless motherboard look and as long as everything is built in I won't have any issues with say video cards falling off.

Any tips?

 

[WoodButcher]

I'd be inclined to cut a mobo tray from an old case if I wanted support for pci cards, screw through the tray to attatch to the wall. If you have no cards that need support just screw through the mobo holes.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I'd be inclined to cut a mobo tray from an old case if I wanted support for pci cards, screw through the tray to attatch to the wall. If you have no cards that need support just screw through the mobo holes.

I'd still use the standoffs though.

 

[Syringer]

Yeah i was considering either screwing directly from the mobo into the wall..but how would I attach the standoffs to the wall?

 

[WoodButcher]

You don't need standoffs. The standoffs do several jobs but none of which you need when mounted on a wall,
ground the board to the case, = no case, no ground
keeps the solder points from grounding on the mobo tray= no tray,,, no ground
and support the board which the wall will do quite nicely.

 

[wirednuts]

youre still gonna have ugly wires coming off the sides.

maybe bury the wires in the wall, and underneath that ATX board you put a mini-itx board that does the actual computing. the board on top is just for show. no wires seen that way

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

You don't need standoffs. The standoffs do several jobs but none of which you need when mounted on a wall,
ground the board to the case, = no case, no ground
keeps the solder points from grounding on the mobo tray= no tray,,, no ground
and support the board which the wall will do quite nicely.

You forgot about keeping the board from flexing. Without the standoffs, the mounting holes will pull the edges of the board lower than the solder points. Not a huge deal but, I have experienced frustrating micro fractures on previous builds.

 

[WoodButcher]

You forgot about keeping the board from flexing. Without the standoffs, the mounting holes will pull the edges of the board lower than the solder points. Not a huge deal but, I have experienced frustrating micro fractures on previous builds.

The screws attatching the mobo to the wall need not be tight, in fact they don't need to be screws at all. Two 4d finish nails driven into the sheetrock at an angle would hang the board easily. There would be no stress on the board save the pressure caused by the heatsink flexing on the cpu. We all know the force needed to apply a stock heatsink and that force is retained by the pushpins. I think it is called kinetic energy, like that stored in a compressed spring. I'm not sure of the term but I'm know you get the idea.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

The screws attatchong the mobo to the wall need not be tight, in fact they don't need to be screws at all. Two 4d finish nails driven into the sheetrock at an angle would hang the board easily. There would be no stress on the board save the pressure caused by the heatsink flexing on the cpu. We all know the force needed to apply a stock heatsink and that force is retained by the pushpins. I think it is called kinetic energy, like that stored in a compressed spring. I'm not sure of the term but I'm know you get the idea.

Knowing the 'handyman' skills of the average ATOTer, you're advising the OP use a hammer near a MB? :biggrin:

 

[WoodButcher]

Yeah, maybe a shovel would be better, that way the odds of hitting the nail would improve!

Use a pencil and mark through the holes, then drive the nail,,,,