question on building new system

[zjava]

Hi All,

I was wondering if anyone uses the washers that come with the motherboard/case and if so where? Not sure if these are crucial or not? do they go between the brass standoffs maybe?? Can someone help.

James

[John0904]

I use them between the motherboard and the the screws that hold it down.

Using them between the motherboard and the brass fittings is hard. :)
Besides, brass is non-conductive.

[zjava]

that will help, thanks- anyone else have some advice!

[zjava]

that will help, thanks- anyone else have some advice!

[integral]

I am not sure when brass became none conductive! It is a good conductor.

The insulating washers are not necessary unless you have a large screw head which extends beyond the metalalized ring surrounding each mounting hole. That metalized ring is part of the ground plane for the motherboard, it is perfectly fine to ground it to the case. If fact that is the whole point it wants to be gronded to the case. You do not, however, want to ground anything other part of circuitry so if a screw head could cause some troubles you can use the washers to provide some insulation. It is necessary to examine each mounting screw to insure that it will not contact a nearby component or trace, thus creating a short circiut which at best will cause your system not to boot, at worst damage a component. If you have good clearance then the washers are not needed.

[Reid]

I am probably being overly cautious, but I glue the washers on the mounting posts because I thought there might be a slight possibility of a post scratching the motherboard while moving it into place, if washers were not used.