Questions From a First Time Builder

[AuthenticGeek]

I just built my computer about a week ago, and it was my first time doing so. There were some problems along the way, but the computer eventually got built. However, some of the problems that I encountered still bothers me. For example, when I plugged in my graphics card, the screw holes of the card and the case's screw holes on the PCI expansion slots, did not line up perfectly. They were off by a few millimeters. I had to push on the back of the case a little bit to get them aligned. I was wondering if this was normal. Also, I could not line up my motherboard with the standoffs at first. I had to rip off the padding on the I/O shield in order to get it to fit. I was wondering if the padding served a purpose. I'm pretty sure the standoffs were in the correct position (the NZXT S340 makes it very clear which ones I'm supposed to be using).

 

[okcnaline]

For the first question, it should automatically align when you screw it in. No worries.
For the second one, install the standoffs from under the case first. Should work. Just take it slow.

 

[smorizio]

if the mb was and asus mb there padding on the io mb is thick. if it was not the issue was your io sheild is not in all the way. when it goes in all the way it will pop in and you can tell it even all the way around. the padding there to keep the mb from shorting on the metal shield. the issue with the gpu is the mb is not in straight. if you look with a flashlight at the rear of the mb it going to be off centered the spacing on one end of the io slots is not the same as the other end. easy fix is power off the mb..unplug it from the wall..pull the gpu. loosen all the mb screws but dont remove them. then pop the io shield if you can with your finger till it pops in if you cant make sure the mb is lined up.