Do Motherboards Come With Screws?

You might think that your motherboard is missing screws because it didn’t come with any, but the screws are actually in your PC case. Most new motherboards come with the small screws you need to attach your M.2 drives to the motherboard. So, some motherboards do come with screws, but they aren’t the ones you use to connect the motherboard to the PC.

What Are the Screws Used for?

To put the motherboard on the case, you need screws. There are two things that make the sizes of mounting screws different.

One is that higher-end cases with ATX or Extended ATX motherboards need screws that are pretty big.

The other thing is that cheaper cases, like mATX cases, use smaller screws to mount motherboards.

To install a motherboard, you will also need a few other pieces of hardware. This is-

Standoffs
Standoffs are usually used to make space between two pieces of the motherboard that have already been put together. Another name for a standoff is a “spacer.” There are different types of standoffs that come in different shapes and sizes. It can be made of plastic, metal, or anything else.

Risers Tighten
It is a type of screw made of copper. Most low-end PC cases have Basic Risers, while mid-range and high-end PC cases have Brass Risers. One end of a Risers Screw has a male thread and the other end has a female thread.

With the help of riser screws, the motherboard doesn’t have to touch the case. This keeps your motherboard from shorting out.

M.2 Bolt
M.2 Screw is not the same thing as a mounting screw. Rather, a PCI Express SSD card is mounted with this tiny screw. It helps the SSD card move around so it doesn’t get damaged.

Some motherboards come with M.2 drive screws.

M.2 drives are a small type of SSD drive that is supported by most new motherboards. These can be mounted directly on the motherboard, so motherboards come with slots and M.2 screws where the drive can be attached.

Some motherboards come with screws for M.2 drives. M.2 drives can be different sizes, but there are only a few standard sizes, so make sure to measure it before you install your motherboard. Since you won’t be screwing the motherboard into the PC’s back plate there, you’ll need to take the standoffs out of any slots under it.

Mounting screws don’t come with motherboards.

The computer chassis always comes with the screws you need to attach your motherboard to your PC. These things are called standoffs or mounting screws. If you think about it quickly, it wouldn’t make sense for every motherboard to come with new screws, since you already have screws that fit into the back plate of your case.

Standoffs and screws are always needed to attach your motherboard to your PC. Most standoffs are made of metal or plastic and are in the shape of a hexagon. Standoffs keep your motherboard off of the case, as the name suggests, so it doesn’t rest directly on the metal chassis. To connect your motherboard to these standoffs, you will need the screws.

Some PC cases already have the standoffs attached, while others come with the screws loose. Here is some important advice: Carefully look at where the holes for screws are on your motherboard. Only put the standoffs in those spots, because putting one anywhere else could cause your motherboard to short circuit.

Don’t try to connect your motherboard to your PC case directly without standoffs. Unless you want to replace the motherboard and any other parts that might have been damaged. The standoffs keep the tracks on the back of your motherboard from touching the base plate of your PC, which keeps it from short-circuiting.

Most of the screws and standoffs you need will be in the hard drive bays of the case. Some manufacturers, however, prefer to put loose parts like screws in their own plastic bag or box. Before you start putting your PC together, make sure to look for them in both the PC case and the box it came in.

How do I put the motherboard together? Which screws should I use?

Most metal motherboard standoffs have a male #6-32 UNC thread that screws into the PC chassis’s back plate. Most of the time, you can just use your hand to turn them. It will have a hole on top of the same size (#6-32 UNC) where you can put the screws. Most of the time, you’ll need a #2 Phillips screwdriver to attach your computer’s motherboard or just about anything else.

After putting in the standoffs, carefully place the motherboard on top of them and start turning the screws into the top of the standoffs. Like the standoffs, the heads of the screws usually look like a pan or a hexagon. Their heads will be a little bigger than the holes in the motherboard, which will keep it from moving.

Is it wrong to put the motherboard together with only screws?

About 10 years ago, I tried to build my own computer, but I didn’t know what the standoffs were for, so I just used screws to connect the motherboard to the PC case. When I turned on my computer, there was a loud pop, and I realized I might have fried the motherboard. When my dad finally came to help, he told me I hadn’t put the standoffs in.

I thought this was it because the PC wouldn’t turn on. Still, when I nervously put everything back in again, this time making sure the standoffs were in place, the PC turned on. It went well. That day, I got lucky because my motherboard shorted out, but it didn’t pop. So, this might not be a fatal mistake, but it’s best not to take chances.

Where Can I Get More Screws and Standoffs for My Motherboard?

Since most cases use the same sizes for motherboard screws, it’s easy to get replacements at a local PC hardware store. Even better, a general online shopping site like Amazon can deliver the motherboard screws and standoffs to your home or office in a more convenient way. This 502pc Motherboard Standoffs Screw Kit is a good example.

How to Install a Motherboard (Step-by-Step)

Final Thoughts

When installing the motherboard with screws and standoffs, it goes without saying that you need to match the exact number of holes for a secure fit. Remember, there’s a reason why the holes are where they are. If the holes are not filled in properly, there could be other accidents, like putting too much pressure on the PCB while installing memory modules. Also, try to get a tight fit. Don’t make the screws too tight.