how tight do i screw motherboard screws/standoffs?

[Rogurzz]

I'm getting a new PC Case soon and it's my first time moving PC cases. When I install the standoffs and screws for the motherboard, how tight should they be? Im worried about stripping them.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Not very tight , you just snug them that's it.

Anymore is too much.

 

[netyoda]

I would say just a tiny bit past 'snug'.

 

[RCFProd]

Just tight enough so It's firm to the case and doesn't move. When you feel It's tight don't try screw it even tightier until the screw doesn't turn anymore. Not necessary.

 

[ajhockey3]

Agreed with everyone above ^

On a side note I have seen someone tighten one screw significantly tighter then the rest to the point the motherboard was flexing down on that one standoff, Yeah, Don't do that

 

[Rogurzz]

Not very tight , you just snug them that's it.

Anymore is too much.

And what exactly is "snug". The moment where I feel tension?

 

[RCFProd]

Surely this is something humanly instinctive? Basically when the screw starts to turn slower. Not sure how else to say it. You should know when it is firm to the case really. This should be the least of your worries when building a PC 😛

 

[Rogurzz]

Surely this is something humanly instinctive? Basically when the screw starts to turn slower. Not sure how else to say it. You should know when it is firm to the case really. This should be the least of your worries when building a PC 😛

should i just finger tighten it for certainty? The case comes with a screw adap-tor to tighten the standoffs, should i use that or throw it?

 

[RCFProd]

Whatever the instructions recommend mate.

 

[synphul]

Hard to describe, tight is tight. It's a feeling I suppose. Using a tool of any kind will apply more force than fingers so it doesn't have to be tightened to extremes. Usually you'll feel the standoff or screw 'stop' when it's tight. Use a grip on the screwdriver somewhere between "This is the only thing keeping me from falling off a cliff" and so loose you drop the driver. Shortly after you get 'feedback' it will likely stop, don't tighten it past that.

If it's 'stiff' from the beginning, stop and back off and try again. You're probably crossthreaded (not good). Just give it a couple rotations counter clockwise then attempt to screw it in (helps line up the threads). Going past the point where there's resistance would likely result in stripping them, they're fine threads and threaded into small holes (depth wise, not a lot of threads to begin with). Even using your fingertips on a screwdriver handle twisting it to tighten, at the head of the screw you're applying more force/torque than you think. It's more than just 'finger tight'.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

You go just a smidge past finger tighten , that's it , when it's there you will know it.

 

[rar_54]

Or as the old mechanics used to say, tighten it until it twists off and then back off half a round 😉 Really, just snug is fine.

 

[ko888]

Torque to 7 inch-pounds (0.8 newton-meters).