How to Build Your Own PC - Save A Buck And Learn A Lot  9  Chapter 4: Installing The Mainboard In The Case       9  Test Fitting and Installing the Mainboard

Aligning Case Standoff Locations to Mainboard Holes 1 Seating the Mainboard Against the I/O Shield

Count the final number of standoffs that you plan to use, and be sure that there is a screw hole in the mainboard for each standoff used. Then, be sure each standoff is visible through a screw hole. This will help you not to forget to remove a standoff without a screw hole above it on the mainboard.

Some cases come with plastic standoffs which are designed to be inserted into the mainboard first. Then, the bottom end of the plastic standoff sits on the metal case.

The Enlight case comes with two different types of standoffs. One style is designed with a screw hole in the top. This allows the mainboard to be secured to the case with a screw. These standoffs are also used for properly grounding the mainboard to the case. Screwing down the mainboard to the standoff grounds the mainboard. You’ll see a ring of metal around the mainboard hole. This ring helps ground the mainboard to the case. Some experts suggest only using plastic standoffs below mainboard holes that lack a ring of metal. A variety of standoffs will usually come with your PC case.

The other style of standoff isn’t designed to be screwed down. It just sits below the mainboard and provides a resting surface for the mainboard. This case has two screw-down standoffs already in good locations, and we’ll screw down the mainboard only in those two locations.

Be sure to test fit the screws that come with your case to be sure that you’ve selected the correct screws for securing the mainboard (Figure 67). If you just start a screw with a screwdriver, it’s possible to strip the socket or the screw threads. So before you seat the mainboard, first test the screw with your hand to be sure it works. Then, have the two proper screws (or more) handy when you place the mainboard.

Aligning Case Standoff Locations to Mainboard Holes 1 Seating the Mainboard Against the I/O Shield