Hmmm..

[fachmannn]

I'm well aware that a motherboard/case standoff is important if you don't want to fry and components, though I have never used one before. One came with my case, but I must have missplaced it last time I changed my motherboard, so I've been running it without one. What's the normal percentage of parts frying because of this? I don't need the normal talk saying "It's not safe." I know that and I know I'm better off with one, but without it... am I at that great of risk?

 

[LiLithTecH]

Motherboards usually require more than 1 standoff to attach to a PC case.
If you are using none then I would say your odds are HIGHLY against you
not frying the board out.

If you are missing just 1 or 2 then it would depend on the mount locations
themselves and how much the board flexes and the type of case.

 

[fachmannn]

I have never used a standoff before though after using the same components for almost 5 years now. I will purchase standoffs, can you get any are Staples or local hardware shops? What am I looking for? Female/Male what side? Plastic or aluminum? I'll pick some up ASAP.

 

[Fardringle]

Standoffs are little metal or plastic screws that attach to the case (or mounting board inside the case) to keep the pins and solder points on the back of the motherboard from coming in direct contact with the metal side panel of the case. The screws that go through the holes in your motherboard to mount it to the case are screwed into the threads inside the standoff screws. If you have ever used screws to install a motherboard in a case, or if you have used plastic pegs that poke through the mounting holes in the motherboard to attach the board to the case, then you have used standoffs.

Since you say that your case had one, I suspect that you are referring to something else when you use the word standoff. If you can describe what the missing item looked like we can attempt to guess what it is/was and give you a better indication of whether or not you need to replace it.

 

[oynaz]

Yeah, you must be confusing the standoffs with something else.
Let me put it this way: If you have managed to put a rig together without using standoffs, you have got to take some pictures of it and post it here. ;-)

 

[mechBgon]

Standoffs illustrated: http://www.mechbgon.com/build/caseprep2.html Maybe you're thinking of the I/O shield, which is depicted at the very bottom of that page.

 

[fachmannn]

I know what one is, I had one originaly with my case 4 years ago, lost it on 2nd mobo install... i installed without one, maybe my case has a standoff, sometimes i dont even put screws through all the mobo holes.. never had a problem or frying mobo befor.e

 

[jackschmittusa]

Does the mb tray in your case have several raised portions with threaded holes on it? Sometimes these will be used in lieu of separate standoffs, and there will be a stand-off to be used if need be in the left column of mounting holes on the mb (some mbs have 3 + an offset at the top, and some 2 + an offset in the left column).

I always recommend using all of the necessary standoffs and screws. Not only do these keep the mb from falling out, but they are support points that keep the mb from flexing when installing/un-installing cards, ram, and cables on the mb.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: fachmannn
I know what one is, I had one originaly with my case 4 years ago, lost it on 2nd mobo install... i installed without one, maybe my case has a standoff, sometimes i dont even put screws through all the mobo holes.. never had a problem or frying mobo befor.e

Yeah, the important thing is that the motherboard isn't lying smack dab against case metal, but rather separated from the case by an air gap (except at the bolt holes). Most ATX motherboards have either 9 or 10 holes, so it's a little odd to hear someone talking about "a" standoff, when a normal build requires at least nine of them, but whatever

 

[fachmannn]

mechBgon, my favorite techie! haha, I just looked boy and I stupid, my motherboard is raised about an inch from the case, not touching at all.

 

[skreet]

Your case probably has a few built in raise-points instead of standoffs. That's not too uncommon.

If you wern't using stand-offs you would notice alot of smoke, a strange smell and a severe lack of performance in windows (read: none at all.)