[SOLVED] Do you guys trim/mod the I/O panel at all?

[MarsColonist]

As we all know, there's a silvery i/o plate you install on the back of every PC case with some kind of sharp metal things there that seem to get in the way. I think I heard someone say if you don't do something with these, they can damage the ports on your motherboard there, so some people recommend doing that... but idk. Do any of you know anything about this?

Some of the metal pieces that stick out (inward) toward the case seem like they're getting in the way while I'm trying to get the motherboard in there and lined up to screw it into the case standoffs, so the thought of trimming some of those metal pieces with some wire cutters or something had crossed my mind.

What do you think? I don't even know why the I/O plate has those metal pieces that point inward like that. Seems like they just get in the way...

 

[RealBeast]

You can trim it or just leave it off, there are many other larger open spaces in most cases.
It labels connectors, but if you have any computer experience, they are all completely obvious. It fits well with some boards/cases and not at all with others, better IMO not to put a lot of pressure constantly on some connectors if it does not fit well, or just mod it with some tin snips.

 

[Eximo]

Not all I/O plates are like that, some are built in and permanent to the board. Some use a foil backed with foam.

The idea behind the little tabs is to make electrical contact with the motherboard's ground plane (through the connectors) and the chassis ground. They are supposed to get in the way to apply pressure to maintain contact.

You just have to make sure that none of the tabs get bent INTO any of the ports, they are supposed to sit flat between the motherboard ports and the flat part of the I/O shield.

This is for your protection. If voltage were to ever short somewhere, and you touched the back of the computer plugging something in, the ground would prevent you from feeling it. Not that it is too likely in a low voltage system, but the AC wires could come into play under odd circumstances.

Also part of the computer's general shielding against electronic interference.

 

[geofelt]

If the pins are in the way, you are likely doing something wrong.
First, check that the i/o plate is firmly pressed into the case opening.
Press your finger all around the periphery to be certain.

You might feel like you need three hands to do the job.
One to push the motherboard in to the plate springs, another to insert the standoff screw, and a third to turn the screw.
A #2 magnetic tip screwdriver is helpful her since it will hold the screw for you.
Put your first screw in loosely at the corner of the motherboard nearest to the plate.
When that is in, it acts as a pivot to be able to keep pressure and secure another screw.

These parts have ATX standards. If something does not fit, you are likely doing something wrong.
Still, it is possible that a cheap case was manufactured badly.