Standoffs

[04nmr85]

I recently purchased a Raidmax case which came along with some screws and standoffs. The little bag of standoffs also had in it little red cardboard, or what seemed like cardboard, washers. I wasn't sure where they were to go with the standoffs. Should they be on top of the mobo with the screw or on the bottom of the mobo with the standoff? I'm thinking they should be on top with the screw, but i wasn't sure. If anyone could help or give advice it would be greatly appreciated. If you need to know more information i'll be glad to give it to you. Thanks for the help in advance!

[Cricket]

Honestly, you don't need those washers. I've never used them in the 70 or so computers I've built over the years.

But if you'd feel better using them, you can either put them between the standoff and the motherboard or between the motherboard and the screwhead. If I were to use them, I think I would put them between the standoff and the motherboard.

Cricket

[04nmr85]

Originally Posted by Cricket Honestly, you don't need those washers. I've never used them in the 70 or so computers I've built over the years. But if you'd feel better using them, you can either put them between the standoff and the motherboard or between the motherboard and the screwhead. If I were to use them, I think I would put them between the standoff and the motherboard. Cricket

Lol, thats a whole lot of computers. Well since u have never used them i think i'll go with ur advice. I didn't use or have them on my last build so i guess i won't use them this time. Thanks for the response Cricket!

[ric449]

I used them to be on the safe side, but like Cricket, I have never heard of any problems not using them. Does anyone know the use of them?

[Cricket]

In earlier computers (like 286, 386 and 486 computers) you would use them to keep the screwhead from making contact with any of the circuit traces on the motherboard surface (the traces used to be much wider before). But modern manufacturing techniques have made the circuit traces much smaller and the chances of the screwhead making contact with a trace is pretty non-existent now.

Originally Posted by 04nmr85 Lol, thats a whole lot of computers.

Not really...that's over the course of 6 years or so. I've slowed down lately (probably because all the people I build for have computers with 2.0GHz or faster CPUs and no one needs anything faster yet...except me ). There are folks here who have built a lot more computers than I have. I think HAL9000 has built over 5000!

Cricket

[04nmr85]

Lol, well comparied to my total of 2 it's a lot. Who do u build for? Friends or do u have some sort of business?

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by 04nmr85 Lol, well comparied to my total of 2 it's a lot. Who do u build for? Friends or do u have some sort of business?

I just build for friends, family and co-workers. It's just a hobby, not a business.

Cricket

[TwoRails]

Originally Posted by ric449 .... Does anyone know the use of them?

There were exceptions with some older mobos, as Cricket mentions, but I've never used them and don't really recommend their use; the direct contact of the screws / standoffs can provide additional ground paths.

Also, some newer cases provide "sound insulators" for use with hard drives. Without seeing them, I couldn't say if they are such items.