MSI Z97 doesn't line up with standoffs

[SquidPixie]

So I'm building my first PC and the motherboard is not lining up with the standoffs, it seems they're too far apart and there aren't any holes in the right places? I have an MSI Z97 PC Mate and the case is a NZXT S340 mid tower. The specs said it was compatible with Z97 motherboards so I don't know if I'm doing something wrong or if I just need a different case. I'm afraid of scratching up the bottom of the motherboard if I keep trying to line it up with the standoffs through trial and error, so any feedback would be appreciated.

 

[Karsten75]

Do you by any chance have a micro-ATX or mini-ITX board and the case is ATX-only?

Only explanation I can think of.

 

[SquidPixie]

Do you by any chance have a micro-ATX or mini-ITX board and the case is ATX-only?

Only explanation I can think of.

It says it's an ATX board, and the case is compatible with ATX, micro ATX, and ITX boards.

 

[ko888]

The MSI Z97 PC MATE is not a full size ATX form factor motherboard.

Full size ATX motherboard: 12.00 in. x 9.625 in.

MSI Z97 PC MATE: 12.00 in. x 8.70 in.

 

[SquidPixie]

The MSI Z97 PC MATE is not a full size ATX form factor motherboard.

Full size ATX motherboard: 12.00 in. x 9.625 in.

MSI Z97 PC MATE: 12.00 in. x 8.70 in.

Ah. Well that's a bummer.
Is there any way to get it in the case anyway? Like, could I just screw in the places that fit and use electrical tubing or something to keep the rest of the board off the case? Or do I need a new case?

 

[Paperdoc]

First and most importantly: make VERY sure that there are NO metal standoffs under your mobo in a spot that does NOT have a mounting hole in the mobo. Mobos are designed to be grounded to the case at each mounting hole, but at NO other points. So a standoff under the mobo at a wrong place can ground out a mobo trace.

Next, as you line things up, remember that the custom metal rear panel that surrounds the mobo's external connectors needs to be in place with the connectors fitting through their holes. Be careful that the springy fingers around each hole go OUTSIDE each connector's shell - I once found I had a finger sticking inside and shorting out a connector pin.

Last, and this may help: most cases come with standoffs pre-mounted in "common" locations. But you will also find other holes drilled and tapped in your case bottom for alternative standoff locations. The idea is to customize it yourself. You unscrew any standoff that does NOT line up with a mobo mounting hole, and re-locate it to the proper pre-drilled hole. Ideally when you're done there will be a standoff beneath each mobo mounting hole, and absolutely NONE where there is no mobo hole. You might even have a spare standoff or two left over, and that's OK.

 

[SquidPixie]

First and most importantly: make VERY sure that there are NO metal standoffs under your mobo in a spot that does NOT have a mounting hole in the mobo. Mobos are designed to be grounded to the case at each mounting hole, but at NO other points. So a standoff under the mobo at a wrong place can ground out a mobo trace.

Next, as you line things up, remember that the custom metal rear panel that surrounds the mobo's external connectors needs to be in place with the connectors fitting through their holes. Be careful that the springy fingers around each hole go OUTSIDE each connector's shell - I once found I had a finger sticking inside and shorting out a connector pin.

Last, and this may help: most cases come with standoffs pre-mounted in "common" locations. But you will also find other holes drilled and tapped in your case bottom for alternative standoff locations. The idea is to customize it yourself. You unscrew any standoff that does NOT line up with a mobo mounting hole, and re-locate it to the proper pre-drilled hole. Ideally when you're done there will be a standoff beneath each mobo mounting hole, and absolutely NONE where there is no mobo hole. You might even have a spare standoff or two left over, and that's OK.

Thank you so much!
I managed to get 4 of the standoffs to line up by playing around with the placement, there are still a couple of holes without standoffs under them but it seems like it's be secure enough with just the 4.

 

[ko888]

The motherboard only has six mounting holes and should definitely line up with six of the mounting standoffs on the motherboard tray:

You can get these and use them in the two corners that don't have a corresponding standoff on the motherboard tray: