Do I need to install standoffs?

[dawndawn0]

Case: Corsair 100R (w/ the window)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H110M-A

There are standoffs pre-installed into the case, but I believe it is for an ATX motherboard since there are 9 standoffs installed.

There are already 4 standoffs installed that will go with my micro-ATX motherboard. Do I need to install the last two standoffs?

If so, how do I even install a standoff into the case?

 

[firefoxx04]

Sounds like the case has built in stand offs. Just install the board. Micro ATX uses the same standoffs for the most part, minus a couple because it is a small board.

Sometimes you will run into boards that are odd sized that do not line up with a couple stand offs (usually the right side of the board).

 

[Rogue Leader]

Based on what you said it sounds like your board lines up with 2 holes that do not have standoffs yet? you should always try to install all of them for stability especially when you are installing cards or RAM. They just twist in, make them hand tight.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

You must have a standoff for each attatchment point on the Motherboard

matx (9.6 x 9.6) typically has 8 or 9 attachment points... I count 8 in the mATX bard here:

http://images17.newegg.com/is/image/newegg/13-128-844-Z03?$S640W$
You take one of the standoffs out the the bag of screws and screw it into the hoe that lines up with your MoBo

ATX is 12 x 9.6

Your board has only 6 ....

Make sure that you have all 6 standoffs lined up correctly ... having one where i don't long will likely result in a short

 

[PsyKhiqZero]

Always remove any unnecessary standoffs. It's always a good idea to install any standoffs the board needs. Especially the ones along the front of the motherboard as they undergo a lot of stress as the 24pin connector is inserted and removed.

do you need to install them? No. But no good can come from not doing it.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

The attachment points are there for a reason .... and that's because the board's designer determined that support was needed at those locations. The board is subject to stress and bending when connectors are plugged in but more importantly when 60-70 pounds of clamping force are applied clamping down that CPU cooler. If you are not going to use them, ya might as well for example power your 8 pin GFX card with a 6 pin connector.

I have had boxes brought in which shorted to case because someone skipped installing one or more standoffs.

If you have extra ones, all those under the MoBo that don't have attachment screws should be remove. If ya have standoffs outside the board perimeter, you can use them for grounds. I build on a ModMat and often use an EATX area standoff to ground the system by attaching a ground clip from the ModMat

This allows me to connect the 2nd strap from the mat to my ankle so there';s no wrist wire to catch on everything

 

[dawndawn0]

How tight do I need to screw the standoffs? Really tight using some type of screwdriver, or tight enough until I can't move it anymore using my fingers?

 

[Rogue Leader]

How tight do I need to screw the standoffs? Really tight using some type of screwdriver, or tight enough until I can't move it anymore using my fingers?

As tight as you can get with your fingers is fine. when you screw them in with the motherboard screws it will cinch them down a bit, they aren't going anywhere after that.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

How tight do I need to screw the standoffs? Really tight using some type of screwdriver, or tight enough until I can't move it anymore using my fingers?

I use a screwdriver with a socket end and just make it firm..... which lets ya do just a pinch more than hand tight .... it is very easy to strip the holes.