Why do DIY backplates stink?

[spikespiegal]

I've been building PCs for over a decade now, including production servers that I can proudly say have been significantly cheaper, more durable, and often consume less power than their big name counterparts.

On the desktop side,while I prefer to go DIY, I've into the same idiotic design flaw of pretty much every DIY system on the planet - backplates made of tinfoil that really don't offer much support for the I/O connectors. Even the best motherboards only require a bit of torque in the righ direction to crack the solder of a USB riser or onboard VGA port. Using dedicated I/O (PCI, AGP, ISA, etc) cards for USB,Video, etc., and avoiding as much onboard MB clutter as possible is one solution from an enthusiast standpoint, but it's not cost effective for business customers, especially small form factors.

A classic example is a client I help support who needs PC's in high traffic retail environments that get a lot of abuse and shuffling. All the DIY solutions I've tried fail in the same area - the back ports failing due to constant plugging and unplugging of components. This where small form factor Dell Optiplexes and such can take a significant amount more abuse because the back plates and connectors are more rugged because of heterogenous manufacturing specs.

Any thoughts on how to improve the durablity of DIY rigs to match their big name counterparts, especially in the small/economic footpring category?

 

[Brutus04]

Why are you smelling the backplates?

 

[4x4expy]

Mine just smells like aluminum...

 

[hans007]

backplates arent made for supporting the ports.

they are shielding for electromagnetic interference. you cant just leave a random hole in a case without it being shielded or else EMI will leak out of there or in through there.

that is why they are called I/O shields. shields for EMI.

 

[lenjack]

If the backplate is the proper one for the board, and it is fitted properly, I don't see that it is causing any stress on the connectors,

 

[Fallen Kell]

Originally posted by: lenjack
If the backplate is the proper one for the board, and it is fitted properly, I don't see that it is causing any stress on the connectors,

The feet, hands, shoes, boots, etc., that step on, touch, unplug, plug, kick, or otherwise come in contact with the cables that plug into the back of the computer. It that high tension, or sideways torque that he is talking about. These are systems that are not in a standard office environment where the computer sits out of the way under a desk with the wires tucked behind it, these are systems that are exposed to people on all sides of the computer, with people moving past the system all the time, with the occasional bump or kick along the way...

 

[AlucardX]

it's a good question, but it's also true that the backplate is really just an I/O shield. I would think the only way to ensure the connectors on the mobo itself don't get ruined is by somehow clamping them down so torque and stress won't make it budge.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Seems to me if there had been a real problem, someone would've made some enhancement at the factory by now.

As for keeping the cables from being bumped and stressing the motherboard I/O ports, it wouldn't be too hard to rig up either a sheet-metal or Lexan box that fits to the chassis rear, maybe bundling the cables together and route them out the bottom side of the protective box.

But they've been using these tin I/O plates since ATX hit the streets in '94 or '95. Some of those cases -- from those years -- didn't even have the standard rectangle for such plates. I can't count the times I've had to dremel away the sheet metal to leave an aperture that was just a perfect interference fit for the I/O plate.

If you REALLy wanted to take the time and trouble, and your Dremel-hand is steady, you could probably find a way to DIY a sheet-metal replacement for the plate that just uses 6-32 screws to secure to the rear chassis. It would be tedious -- making it fit all those ports, and you'd have to customize it to the motherboard.

Doesn't seem worth it.

 

[hans007]

i think basically what you'd want if you wanted more support is use the hex nuts on the ports and mount them to the case. that is how its done on custom systems OR you'd basically have to just have ribbon cables or something run to the motherboard and have the ports physically on a metal plate (sort of like those usb brackets, but you'd need it for everything)