[SOLVED] Motherboard upgrade

[raeanthony]

Hi there, I bought a new motherboard to upgrade my CPU to the intel I5 12400. Upon removing the old motherboard, I saw that the posts don't line up with the new motherboard mounting holes. I read that one can reposition these posts but mine seem to be on there pretty tight. Also, if I were able to move the screw posts, the case doesn't seem to have the holes to accommodate the new motherboard. Does this mean I have to buy a new case?

Old motherboard Asus Z270E Gaming
New motherboard MSI Pro B660M-A

 

[Darkbreeze]

I would highly suggest using an appropriately sized 1/4" drive socket with nutdriver. Much less chance of slipping off and scratching or scoring the motherboard tray surface of the case. If not possible, a pair of standard pliers, with flat ends, is a good choice, for the same reason. Pointed pliers like needlenose are much more likely to slip and or scratch anodized, painted or otherwise finished surfaces. Under the board not as big of a deal, but I've definitely seen people scratch long grooves when they've slipped on standoffs that are particularly tight.

Just an FYI to hopefully avoid doing that. And, for the record, here is where you want to put the standoffs for any given form factor.

 

[Aeacus]

the case doesn't seem to have the holes to accommodate the new motherboard.

As far as i can see, your PC case does have holes for Micro-ATX MoBo that you got.

And to get standoffs re-positioned, use (narrow tip) pliers to grab on to standoff, to get enough leverage to turn them out of mounting holes.

 

[logainofhades]

The bottom ones will not be used, in their current location. They have to be moved.

 

[tennis2]

And to get standoffs re-positioned, use (narrow tip) pliers to grab on to standoff, to get enough leverage to turn them out of mounting holes.

They're also hexagonal, so a socket or wrench also fits.

 

[Aeacus]

They're also hexagonal, so a socket or wrench also fits.

Yes, they are. But they are also so small that i doubt anyone would have such a small wrench/socket. E.g i don't have such a small wrench. Pliers are a safe bet and i ended up using narrow tip pliers when i needed to screw in MoBo standoffs.

 

[Darkbreeze]

I would highly suggest using an appropriately sized 1/4" drive socket with nutdriver. Much less chance of slipping off and scratching or scoring the motherboard tray surface of the case. If not possible, a pair of standard pliers, with flat ends, is a good choice, for the same reason. Pointed pliers like needlenose are much more likely to slip and or scratch anodized, painted or otherwise finished surfaces. Under the board not as big of a deal, but I've definitely seen people scratch long grooves when they've slipped on standoffs that are particularly tight.

Just an FYI to hopefully avoid doing that. And, for the record, here is where you want to put the standoffs for any given form factor.

 

[Darkbreeze]

If your motherboard only has four holes, then it is a mini ITX form factor and not all cases support that.

What is the ACTUAL model of your case?

 

[KyaraM]

If your motherboard only has four holes, then it is a mini ITX form factor and not all cases support that.

What is the ACTUAL model of your case?

It's M-ATX according to MSI. Maybe TC only highlighted the holes they thought nearest to the stands.

 

[Aeacus]

If your motherboard only has four holes, then it is a mini ITX form factor

You can see even from uploaded image that MoBo is micro-ATX. It has at least 3 PCI-E slots and i can see at least 6 mounting holes, 2 of which OP hasn't circled (on a vertical line, between CPU slot and RAM slots).

Same MoBo without plastic bag:

 

[tennis2]

The only standoff hole I DON'T see in the case is the one at the bottom left of the RAM slots. That location has some sort of feature there with "AMI" stamped next to it. Other than that, remove the 3 standoff pegs along the bottom that aren't used and put them in the holes that correspond with your mobo.

 

[logainofhades]

The only standoff hole I DON'T see in the case is the one at the bottom left of the RAM slots. That location has some sort of feature there with "AMI" stamped next to it. Other than that, remove the 3 standoff pegs along the bottom that aren't used and put them in the holes that correspond with your mobo.

I believe that is a fixed standoff nub. The mounting hole just sits on it, for support. I have seen them, in cases, before.

 

[Aeacus]

I believe that is a fixed standoff nub.

I've also seen that fixed standoff and that is there to guide on MoBo placement.

 

[tennis2]

I believe that is a fixed standoff nub. The mounting hole just sits on it, for support. I have seen them, in cases, before.

You're probably right. It's certainly in the correct location. Hard to tell Z-height from the perspective of the uploaded photo, so I didn't want to make any assumptions.

 

[Darkbreeze]

Good call on the board. I was just going off what the OP circled and was not paying as much attention to the features of the board or the fact that they posted the board model as I should have been.

On the standoffs, especially since there is an integrated standoff there, make certain you use the standoffs that came with the case. Other standoffs may not be height correct when compared to the integrated standoff.

Be sure you install the rear I/O shield BEFORE you install the motherboard, or you'll be taking the board back out again to do so after you've already installed it.