Plastic or metal standoffs

CAPSLOCKSTUCK · Jan 25, 2015

Every mobo needs them but which are better.?

The metal ones need a washer and the plastic ones just work.

Do you have a preference or a reason for using one or the other?

newtekie1 · Jan 25, 2015

Metal ones don't need a washer. I prefer metal.

CAPSLOCKSTUCK · Jan 25, 2015

What are those red things for then? that i fit religiously even though they are a total pain in the arse.

ChevyOwner · Jan 25, 2015

I had a motherboard once that did not have the grounding pad for one or two screws. That is the only time I have used them, but I doubt they were needed.

CAPSLOCKSTUCK · Jan 25, 2015

My bad.

I assumed these red things were some sort of washer that provided insulation between electrically conductive parts. i.e. mobo and case.

perhaps washer is the wrong word.

FireFox · Jan 25, 2015

I dont even remotely remember what I am using lol

newtekie1 · Jan 25, 2015

Nope, you aren't supposed to use those with modern motherboards. In fact, if you look at a modern motherboard you'll see metal pads around the screw holes. Those pads are grounding pads that ground the motherboard to the case and help reduce or eliminate damage from esd. You are supposed to use a metal screw with a metal standoff so those pads are grounded properly. The plastic ones are ok but leave the components more vulnerable to esd.

eidairaman1 · Jan 25, 2015

as long as a motherboard is properly centered on its standoffs per corner you will be fine using screws, in a very small situation you might need the washers

CAPSLOCKSTUCK · Jan 25, 2015

eidairaman1 said:
in a very small situation you might need the washers

so spacers would be a better description then ?

eidairaman1 · Jan 25, 2015

CAPSLOCKSTUCK said:
so spacers would be a better description then ?

the old plastic standoffs dont fit the cases properly plus they are a pain to remove.

Plastic standoffs tend to break or strip out easily.

Frag_Maniac · Jan 25, 2015

Metal ones are sturdier, don't need washers, and ground the MB.

I'd never use plastic standoffs, bad idea.

Arctucas · Jan 25, 2015

I have used both.

I have never experienced a plastic standoff stripping out, breaking, or becoming stuck in the motherboard tray, although I once had a screw get stuck in a plastic standoff which caused the standoff to unscrew from the motherboard tray, but since I was removing the motherboard, it was no issue.

The motherboard is grounded through the power supply, as is the chassis. Misplacing a metal standoff in the motherboard tray may result is damaging the motherboard if it comes into contact with energized solder points/circuit traces on the backside of the motherboard. A plastic standoff will not.

As far as providing ESD protection, I suppose that may be true, but a competent user would know enough to touch the chassis and dissipate any static charge before touching the motherboard anyway, or wear an antistatic wristband.

Pickles Von Brine · Jan 25, 2015

I have used metal standoffs for years without issues. Actually, I don't recall ever using washers with them either. :rolleyes:

Never had an issue. The holes where the standoffs are usually don't have any kind of traces going through them; and the solder bumps you see are just for something to have the screw grip onto.

Caring1 · Jan 26, 2015

I haven't used those fibre washers since the early Pentium days when I suppose they may have been necessary.

CAPSLOCKSTUCK · Jan 26, 2015

So what are they for then ?

Im sure i got some included in a board recently.
Come to think of it...did they come with the case?

Caring1 · Jan 26, 2015

They definitely came with the standoffs, possibly included to prevent damage from the screws, to stop the metal on metal rubbing as you tighten.

AsRock · Jan 26, 2015

Caring1 said:
They definitely came with the standoffs, possibly included to prevent damage from the screws, to stop the metal on metal rubbing as you tighten.

Well when i used them they were more for the under side of the board to stop the standoff doing damage to the board not the screw.

Some times there is no solder on the top side so they would go there to so it would protect the bare board.

ChevyOwner · Jan 26, 2015

Caring1 said:
They definitely came with the standoffs, possibly included to prevent damage from the screws, to stop the metal on metal rubbing as you tighten.

If you are tightening the screws that far there are other things to worry about before that.

FordGT90Concept · Jan 26, 2015

newtekie1 said:
Nope, you aren't supposed to use those with modern motherboards. In fact, if you look at a modern motherboard you'll see metal pads around the screw holes. Those pads are grounding pads that ground the motherboard to the case and help reduce or eliminate damage from esd. You are supposed to use a metal screw with a metal standoff so those pads are grounded properly. The plastic ones are ok but leave the components more vulnerable to esd.

This. Those screws ground the motherboard to the case which the PSU grounds to earth.

The red cardboard washer things are meant to prevent screws from scuffing up paint jobs. Even if you use them, it should still ground through the screws.

micropage7 · Jan 26, 2015

newtekie1 said:
Nope, you aren't supposed to use those with modern motherboards. In fact, if you look at a modern motherboard you'll see metal pads around the screw holes. Those pads are grounding pads that ground the motherboard to the case and help reduce or eliminate damage from esd. You are supposed to use a metal screw with a metal standoff so those pads are grounded properly. The plastic ones are ok but leave the components more vulnerable to esd.

really? i always using washer or clear tape to prevent over tightening the board

Jetster · Jan 26, 2015

Metal. Just don't crank down on them. If its some odd case you can cut the plastic ones when there is no hole for a standoff. To help support the board.

The washers are special situations or parts

64K · Jan 26, 2015

I use metal standoffs with no washers. As others have said this is how the mobo grounds itself. I've known people to only use standoffs to support the board where it needs it but I use them all. I think there's 9 total.

peche · Jan 26, 2015

i would recomend as the other fellas to use metallic ones.. you wont need washers... dont be afraid of frying anything!

Knoxx29 said:
I dont even remotely remember what I am using lol

I bet they are metallic, haf case right?

Regards,

FireFox · Jan 26, 2015

peche said:
i would recomend as the other fellas to use metallic ones.. you wont need washers... dont be afraid of frying anything!

I bet they are metallic, haf case right?

Regards,

Yes that's right.

CAPSLOCKSTUCK · Jan 27, 2015

I always use metal ones.

I saw some of the red things the other day, saw tbe state of my hands and thought " bollocks to thst"

I will use them no more.
Thanks TPU

Still dont know what they are called.

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