Question Will ANY standoff work?

[Santiago A.]

Hi all. Even tho I'm not a newbie in regards of building a PC (built 3 or 4 at this point) I realized I never used any standoffs on my main PC. Never.

Now, I must be the luckiest mf to walk on earth because everywhere I read about it, it seems like having a standoff-less motherboard is basically a bomb waiting to happen. So I decided to install some standoffs (finally). Thing is, I'm a third world person and believe it or not, I can't find them in any hardware store (they need to be imported). I asked my uncle and he had a few lying around. They look sketchy in some way, but they should fit in nicely. Should I install them?

Also, my case is like 8 years old at this point and it didn't come with any standoffs. Same goes for my motherboard (this one being 3 years old).
Basically, will any standoff work? Even some old ones that (maybe) aren't meant for my case?
Thanks for reading!

 

[Zerk2012]

Hi all. Even tho I'm not a newbie in regards of building a PC (built 3 or 4 at this point) I realized I never used any standoffs on my main PC. Never.

Now, I must be the luckiest mf to walk on earth because everywhere I read about it, it seems like having a standoff-less motherboard is basically a bomb waiting to happen. So I decided to install some standoffs (finally). Thing is, I'm a third world person and believe it or not, I can't find them in any hardware store (they need to be imported). I asked my uncle and he had a few lying around. They look sketchy in some way, but they should fit in nicely. Should I install them?

Also, my case is like 8 years old at this point and it didn't come with any standoffs. Same goes for my motherboard (this one being 3 years old).
Basically, will any standoff work? Even some old ones that (maybe) aren't meant for my case?
Thanks for reading!

Some cases have nipples instead of standoffs, if you add standoffs to these then the rear I/O will not line up.

 

[BFG-9000]

Standoffs come in a wide variety of heights and threads for both ends. You can change the screws in the top to match, but the bottom threads for the tray holes must match. If your motherboard tray only has unthreaded holes, then it is likely supposed to use those plastic standoffs that simply snap-in (those types will usually also just snap-into the motherboard as well, without screws).

As mentioned, you have to get the height just right or the ATX I/O plate holes won't line up with the ports, plus any card backplates will not screw in properly.

Given that the purpose of standoffs are to prevent anything on the bottom of the motherboard from shorting to the metal tray, if the cases you have been using use plastic trays, fixed standoffs or some alternative clip type substitute for the standoffs, then separate standoffs aren't required. Many cases only come with some removable standoffs in case your motherboard has extra holes for optional standoff locations, or to support larger boards such as E-ATX--the standard ATX ones being permanently affixed.