why is there solder on my motherboard mounting points?

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
diven nuttall

diven nuttall

Reputable
Apr 15, 2014
80
0
4,640
hi i was wondering if the motherboard mounting points have to be grounded to the case or can i use a plastic riser like this to mount my motherboard since my case does not have built in motherboard risers (but it does have the holes for them). http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Motherboard-Spacer-Standoff-Plastic-Lot-10-Stand-off-Screw-Type-6-32-or-M3-/221707534385?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&var=&hash=item339ecc8031

And i was also wondering if i could safely use my vacuum cleaner to clean my heat sinks and fans in my pc.
 
Solution
P
Given your re-using scenario, I'd advise first that you check very carefully how the original mounting tray mates up with your new mobo. IF it happens to offer mounting points that ALL exactly fit the holes in the new board, OK. Just be very careful that the tray does not touch the bottom (back) of the mobo at ANY point where there's not a hole that should be grounded.

Now, the optimum is to have the mobo grounded at each mounting hole via screws and metal standoffs. However, this is mostly for noise signal reduction. As far a supplying a good Ground connection to the mobo for power supply and main signal purposes, that is already done by the connections made to it from power supply cables. These (mainly from the PSU) include several...
Sort by date Sort by votes
P

Paperdoc

Polypheme
Ambassador
Oct 19, 2006
11,260
1,022
69,340
The mobo is designed to be grounded to the case at each of the points where a screw attaches it to the case. That's why those contact points are there around each hole. No other points on the mobo should touch the case.

Check the bag of little parts that came with your CASE (not with the mobo) for little metal stand-offs. They are typically about ¼" long with a threaded hole in one end and a threaded screw shaft on the other. Also check your case carefully because these items MAY have been placed in mounting spots already. What you REALLY need to do is make sure that such standoffs are placed ONLY where there are matching mounting holes in the mobo. There should NEVER be a standoff like this under the mobo where there is no matching hole for a mounting screw to go though. It is typical that the case itself has MORE potential spots to place standoffs than your mobo has holes. This is just to allow for some different mobo styles.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
diven nuttall

diven nuttall

Reputable
Apr 15, 2014
80
0
4,640
my case was an oem cases and it had a motherboard mounting tray for a micro atx board but i am now upgrading to a full atx board so the tray wont work. Is it possible to use the tray for half the motherboard and use small bolts with plastic spacers in between the motherboard and the case for the other half, or just use small bolts and plastic risers for the whole board.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
diven nuttall

diven nuttall

Reputable
Apr 15, 2014
80
0
4,640
anyone else know if i can use the plastic standoffs? and for some reason i think i can becasue the metal stand-offs that i have seen are made of brass, and brass is only 28% conductive so.....
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
P

Paperdoc

Polypheme
Ambassador
Oct 19, 2006
11,260
1,022
69,340
Given your re-using scenario, I'd advise first that you check very carefully how the original mounting tray mates up with your new mobo. IF it happens to offer mounting points that ALL exactly fit the holes in the new board, OK. Just be very careful that the tray does not touch the bottom (back) of the mobo at ANY point where there's not a hole that should be grounded.

Now, the optimum is to have the mobo grounded at each mounting hole via screws and metal standoffs. However, this is mostly for noise signal reduction. As far a supplying a good Ground connection to the mobo for power supply and main signal purposes, that is already done by the connections made to it from power supply cables. These (mainly from the PSU) include several Ground leads, and most of these do connect to the mobo's Ground planes. SO, your new mobo CAN work well with NO metal screws through its mounting holes, and it's OK to use those plastic standoffs.

IF you actually would prefer to use metal standoffs (yes, they are brass and their conductivity is actually very good) and IF the case has places where you can screw some in to mate with mobo holes, you can probably get some standoffs from a computer parts shot or used parts shop.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom