Silly question, but I can't screw in my motherboard

xxmrkgxx123 · Sep 1, 2013

The screws that came with the case are too short, so I can't screw the motherboard in tightly. Currently it is held in place by that hole in the middle of the board that goes in the thing sticking out of the case (Don't know if that makes any sense). Is it okay?

Asus B85 M-E
Intel i5 4670k
Radeon HD 5770

jaje · Sep 1, 2013

you don`t have to screw them hard give every screws 3-4 rounds untill they hold

xxmrkgxx123 · Sep 1, 2013

But the thing is that it is too short that it wouldn't even reach the hole on the case. The screws just falls out.

USAFRet · Sep 1, 2013

They are not too short. The motherboard is too far away from the screwholes.
Those would be damn short screws to be too short for the thickness of a motherboard.

jaje · Sep 1, 2013

xxmrkgxx123 :

did you install aftermarket cpu fan ? maybe it rises the motherboard from the case

xxmrkgxx123 · Sep 1, 2013

So should I buy longer screws or I can just leave it as it is? It doesn't seem like it will fall down anytime soon.

Onus · Sep 1, 2013

Did you install the standoffs in your case? The motherboard is NOT screwed directly to the case, but on standoffs or raised bumps (not both) where the screwholes are. The single standoff I think you are describing is one that some cases have to assist with motherboard positioning.
There MUST be either a standoff or a raised bump at every mounting hole, and only where there is a mounting hole.

cuecuemore · Sep 1, 2013

What Onus^ said. Glad to see someone intervened before this got too far.

USAFRet · Sep 1, 2013

Yes...standoffs....

xxmrkgxx123 · Sep 1, 2013

Onus :

I am not sure, before I had a ATX board and all the screws went in just fine. But now I have a micro atx and the holes in the case is too far away from the mobo. Yes the only that that is holding in the mobo is the assist bump what shows where to position the mobo. The standoffs in the case matches the hole in the mobo, but the screws can't reach to secure tightly.

Maybe there is other parts I need to install to the case for micro atx? I don't know where the rest of the installation kit for the case is, it is a old case.

USAFRet · Sep 1, 2013

xxmrkgxx123 :

These things. They go in between the motherboard and the case screwholes

Onus · Sep 1, 2013

There may be standoffs screwed in where an ATX board needs them. Unscrew those, and install them where your new mATX board needs them. I'm surprised you were not able to use the mount points along the rear of your case; those should be the same for both boards.

xxmrkgxx123 · Sep 1, 2013

Onus :

I will take it apart and check. But if there is nothing can I just leave it the way it is without the screws?

USAFRet · Sep 1, 2013

xxmrkgxx123 :

Onus :

I will take it apart and check. But if there is nothing can I just leave it the way it is without the screws?

No.

xxmrkgxx123 · Sep 1, 2013

USAFRet :

xxmrkgxx123 :

No.

What could happen? Will the board fall down if there is too much weight pulling it down?

Onus · Sep 1, 2013

You run the risk of shorting the board, or cracking it if it can rock freely on that positioning pin.
It is especially important that it not rock toward the back of the board, possible pulling away from your video card, possibly shorting in the PCIe slot.

USAFRet · Sep 1, 2013

xxmrkgxx123 :

With no screws holding it in...what do you think will happen when you try to connect something on the back I/O connections?
Or vibration from the CPU and GPU fans?

Either install it properly, or box it up and mail it to someone who can take care of it and use it correctly.

This is one of those times where a picture of what you are trying to do would help.

xxmrkgxx123 · Sep 1, 2013

Yikes, I will buy screws that will work with the case then. Thanks you all for your help!

Onus · Sep 1, 2013

You need the standoffs. Simply screwing it down around the raised positioning bump will probably crack the board. Also, it needs to be raised on those bumps at the rear in order for cards to seat properly in their slots.
What case is this? Was the prior mounting proprietary, and not according to convention? If so, you might save yourself a world of grief by spending as little as $30-$40 on a new case.

xxmrkgxx123 · Sep 1, 2013

This is the case I have.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147144

USAFRet · Sep 1, 2013

xxmrkgxx123 :

That links to a case.

Onus · Sep 1, 2013

If you need standoffs, you can order something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811989012 which includes them.

Silly question, but I can't screw in my motherboard

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