Hey everyone! I'm in the process of building a budget PC and I've got a Gigabyte A520M DS3H V2 motherboard paired with a matching CPU. I've also got 32 GB of DDR4 RAM and an unused PSU ready to go. While setting up, I noticed my old case has these eight metal bumps instead of standard standoffs that usually support the motherboard. So, my question is, do I need to use plastic or nylon washers between the motherboard and those bumps? And do I need them between the screw heads and the board on the top side? I'm pretty new to this, so any guidance would be super helpful!
2 Answers
It sounds like those bumps are designed to support the motherboard without issues as long as they're made correctly. You typically don't need washers if the bumps are sturdy and the motherboard has copper rings around the screw holes for grounding. Just make sure to use the right screws that came with your case and you're good to go! Don't stress too much about washers unless you're really worried about potential scratches.
Definitely use those bump mounts as they should stabilize your board. I've built systems where the mounts were built-in, and they worked just fine. Just make sure the motherboard screw holes have good contact for grounding. No washers needed beneath the screws!
Thanks for the tip! What about washers above the board? Should I use them there?
If you're still worried about scratching, maybe consider thin nylon washers, but they usually aren't necessary. If you trust the bumps, just go with it!