Little screws

banja

banja

banja

Soldato
Joined
4 Aug 2006
Posts
2,617
Okay, when my brother built my PC for me, the spacers used to mount the mobo were too big basically. The result of this is that the graphics card (or any card) doesn't sit flush to the screw plate area at the rear of the case. Well, it's either the spacers or the case is really horribly made. Basically, there's about a 1/2 cm gap.

With my old gfx card, I just bent the metal part where the screw goes, towards the plate, and screwed it in. But I'm about to buy a shiny new gfx card, and when I upgrade I want to sell this card on, so I don't want to bend it. It would probably bend back, but I'd rather not if possible.

So I was wondering if anyone knew where I might find a screw that is basically longer than the standard ones used, I could then maybe find some washers and / or a tiny nut to fill the gap so I don't have to bend the card. I found some screws in a hardware store, but they are all of a different width. Does anyone make PC case screws that are longer than standard? Or does some bright spark here have another idea?
 
if the motherboard spacers are too big I would personally recommend replacing them with ones that are the right size (should be easy enough to source as they are a relatively standard spare).
 
The reason I got my brother to build for me is I'm not confident about taking the PC apart like that really. The spacers came with the Abit mobo. Personally I think it's the case that is at fault.

When I build a new PC I will certainly make the effort to learn about how everything fits together, but at the moment I'd rather not mess about with it.
 
It really isn't difficult. If you are capable of removing and fitting a new graphics card then you can easily handle taking a motherboard out of a case.

All you would have to do is remove all the power connectors, remove any PCI cards then unscrew and take out the motherboard. Then you can set about replacing the spacers with smaller ones.

The whole thing shouldn't take much time at all. Just take your time and nothing will go wrong.

SiriusB
 
Okay thanks for your input guys, I'll bear these things in mind.

If it turns out to be my case though, not the spacers, any ideas on the longer screw question?
 
What a chore.

So, a longer version of the ubiquitous PC screw doesn't exist I guess. If it does I won't find out here :)
 
Minstadave said:
Just use cable ties, they'll fix anything.
Click to expand...

Now I thought about that, using a cable tie to instead secure the card where the screw should be. But I wonder if the weight of the card might cause strain in the AGP slot, or make it loose, if the metal frame of the card is isn't pushed flush up against the metal casing on the case.

EDIT - Or were you taking the ****? :D
 
banja said:
Now I thought about that, using a cable tie to instead secure the card where the screw should be. But I wonder if the weight of the card might cause strain in the AGP slot, or make it loose, if the metal frame of the card is isn't pushed flush up against the metal casing on the case.

EDIT - Or were you taking the ****? :D
Click to expand...

No I was serious :D

Any top end card would have a dual slot PCI bracket, so couple of cable ties would do a good job of supporting it.
 
Gaffa tape is even better. Just keep wrapping it up until it is a black mass of super strong stickness!

Good luck if you wanna take it out in one piece :D

SiriusB
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom