Fitting a Motherboard into a Computer Case

07
2014-07
  • coson

    I'm interested in building my own computer. I saw a motherboard and CPU that I want to buy from Tiger Direct.

    My question is has to do with computer cases and motherboards.

    1. Are all motherboards one size? i.e. 15" x 15"
    2. If they're not, can any motherboard go into any computer case?
    3. If not, will I need to purchase hardware to fit a motherboard into a computer case.
    • Answers
  • Oliver Salzburg

    1. Motherboards follow standard specifications.
      These specifications include many different metrics and details, such as motherboard dimensions, features, etc.
      Modern computer chassis (cases) are ATX standard. Most of the cases you will be looking at are ATX. However there are options around this.

      • ATX motherboards will always fit into ATX cases.
      • microATX motherboards should always fit into ATX cases (but some cases are dumb, so check first).
      • miniITX is another specification, which you will probably not deal with, and it does not fit into ATX cases.
      • Wide ATX motherboards typically will not fit into standard ATX cases, so if you want a wide motherboard, also known as Extended ATX, you will need a specific case that supports it.

    2. Read 1

    3. Fitting a motherboard into a case is for the most part straight forward. There are some things you will need to know.

    Take these into account:

    1. I/O shield.
      The I/O shield / I/O ports are the ports that have the USB ports, the network port, the sound ports, and stuff like that. Each motherboard will come with a metal sheet that has holes that correspond to the ports for your motherboard. You will see in the case that it already has one, pop it out and use the one provided with the motherboard.
      Make sure you install the I/O shield as one of the first steps, before putting the motherboard in. If you do not, you will have to remove the motherboard to insert it.

    2. Risers.
      All cases will come with "risers", they are little screw like things which make it so the motherboard safely secures to the case without grounding the motherboard.
      Make sure you match up all the riser spots in the case with the motherboard holes. The hole positions on the case and motherboard are standardized. Then make sure each hole on the motherboard has the corresponding riser in place, so you can screw it down to them when the motherboard is in place. Some holes will not be necessary, this is why checking positions first is necessary.

    3. Connect all power connectors on the motherboard, and reference the manual to make sure the ones you are plugging in are necessary. Also make sure to follow the "front IO" guide in the manual, this is so the power/reset/HDD LED are properly setup.

    That's most of it. If you get stuck, look up howtos online to fill the gap.

  • Ramhound

    Are all motherboards one size? i.e. 15" x 15"

    All motherboards are NOT a single size. It sepends on what type of it is ( ATX, mini-ATX, Extended-ATX, Ect ).

    If they're not, can any motherboard go into any computer case?

    You purchase a motherboard that will fit the specficiations of the computer case you have. What type of motherboards a computer case fits is outlined in its specifications.

    If not, will I need to purchase hardware to fit a motherboard into a computer case.

    You cannot purchase "hardware" to fit a motherboard designed to fit in a case designed to fit say a smaller motherboard.

    Just do your research...

  • Akash

    Motherboards have standard sizes

    Common ones are

    1. ATX
    2. mATX
    3. Mini ITX

    In decreasing order of size

    A smaller motherboard can be installed in a bigger case, but not the other way around

  • Michael Anckaert

    Motherboards and computer cases come in a Form Factor. There are a number of different form factors, a good overview is our friend Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_computer_form_factors

    While it is possible to fit a smaller form factor into a larger case, this tends to depend on the available 'screw holes' in the computer case. Most cases can fit a couple (if not all) form factors.

    The biggest problem can be the connectors on the back of the computer, these (naturally) come from the motherboard. To get rid of any problems of connectors not fitting through your computer case, almost all motherboards come with a metal insert to replace the one that came with your case.

  • Dennis

    Several aspects of a motherboard (including its dimensions and location of mounting holes) are determined by its form factor.

    Most motherboards for desktop computers have the form factor ATX. A full-size ATX motherboard measures 12 × 9.6 in (305 × 244 mm).

    Every motherboard and computer case you purchase should specify their form factors. If they match, there should be no problem. However, an oversize graphics card or CPU cooler can still be a tight fit. In my last build, I needed a set of pliers to bend things a little.

  • Luke Russell

    Hello There! Good news is that with newer hardware the motherboard size should not be to much of a problem, all name brand computer cases will have holes for each motherboard type. Just ensure if you are going with a full size mother board ( vs a mini board ) that the case is designed for full size ( which shouldnt be a problem )

    Your tower should also come with the stand-off's and correct screws to use. Just make sure you put in your back plate before the motehrboard is my only other advice. No additional hardware would be required apart from a screwdriver =D

    Good luck


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  • burnt1ce

    I have a casing the covers the spacing between the peripheral socket which is standard to have when you buy a motherboard. My problem with these covers is that they have spokes that pushes the motherboard away so the sockets don't even come out of the covers. This also misaligns the screws on my atx motherboard with the holes in my computer case. I usually break these spokes so that i can align my motherboard correctly.

    Why the heck do motherboard manufacture put spokes on these covers? am i using them wrong?

    UPDATE: here's an image that i found that shows the plastic casing:

    enter image description here

    You can even see the indentation that makes the spokes that pushes the motherboard inwards.


    • Related Answers
  • quack quixote

    Ok, that took a minute to understand what you were talking about. You're talking about the metal spring spokes on the motherboard faceplate around the edges. They are there to ensure a tight fit of the components. You are correct though, with some setups, they can be very annoying. It is ok to remove them if you want, but it is easier to just bend them down a bit so they do not provide so much resistance.

    But, also, I believe with some motherboards, the contact points with the faceplate and the motherboard actually provide some grounding.

  • 8088

    The "spokes" or tabs are there on the back-panel I/O faceplate (or shield) to connect it to the motherboard ground. This is done to shield the motherboard and reduce the radiated EMC emissions from the motherboard. Normally, a computer inside a chassis can still fail FCC ESD testing without the back-panel I/O faceplate grounded.

    You can see the tabs sticking out the connector cutouts in this picture:

    alt text

    (Click to zoom)

    The faceplate is designed so that the motherboard connectors fit inside the tabs and the tabs have some pressure to the metal on the connector body which is connected to the motherboard ground plane through the mounting holes on the motherboard. Sometimes, this GND plane on the motherboard is separate from the rest of the motherboard GND and connected only at a single point and/or through ferrite beads.

  • William Hilsum

    Sorry, not that easy for me to understand what you are asking.

    Typically, you need to take out the panel that comes with your case - I go through hundreds of different Motherboards and Cases and I have never seen a case that has a panel that fitted any motherboard I use.

    You really need to use a bit of force, but double check that you have not bent the surrounding area - it is usually a very tight fit and thin metal.

    I personally usually put the case with the front up in the air, line up the panel with the hole and use a small mallet and strike a flat-head screwdriver in each corner. It ensures that it is in firmly.

    Sometimes when building computers, as with using them "brute force" is useful!

    If this is not what you were talking about, sorry but please restate your question and I will be happy to help further.

  • staticsan

    The idea of those faceplates is that you use the one that comes with the motherboard because it will match all the connectors it has.

    As others have said, the "prongs" are for electrical grounding of the connectors to the case. They are meant to be firmly pushing against the connectors to ensure this.

    When install your motherboard, push the connector panel against the faceplate until the connectors are poking through their holes correctly and the mounting holes line up correctly for the motherboard and case. Yes, this will bend some of the "prongs" quite a way - that is what is supposed to happen, IME.