Ensure screws on the motherboard match the case specifications.
Ensure screws on the motherboard match the case specifications.
Hello, after long months of hunting graphic cards I finally have all the components to do my first build. Everything was going well with the computer out of the case, I tested the components and everything works. I am using a MSI z690 tomahawk wifi ddr4 motherboard, and a Lian Li O11d EVO case. The cooler of the CPU is (temporary, planning on doing a custom loop once everything is play-tested) is an Arctic Freezer i 35 A-RGB. The problem I have is when I try to put the motherboard into the case. I have been trying for a full hour, it is impossible to align the holes with the standoffs. Even if I put quite a bit of force on the I/O shield it is really impossible to align them all. Some always seem to be misaligned, by as much as a half-screw worth. I have googled the problem I haven't seen many people having these problems. My first thought was that the beefy backplate of the i35 was too high and it was touching the back of the case. So I removed it and tried again, and the same problem persisted, so I guess it is not that. However, I should mention that the backplate of the CPU is not aligned with the hole on the case. I do not know if that's an issue or not, but my understanding was that the backplate should not interfere thanks to the standoffs for the motherboard. Thus, I am at a complete loss at what to do. I suspect that it might be a problem with the case, but I can't see anything out of the ordinary, like bumps or scratches that might indicate that it had been damaged in shipping. I am considering sending back the case, because I doubt it could be a motherboard problem, but I wanted to ask here first in case you have any suggestions. I can post pictures if you think it is useful
On a fresh project, it's quite simple to become mixed up here. I handled this myself during my latest build.
Typically the issue stems from the I/O shield on the motherboard not fitting correctly into the case opening. This particular MSI board features an integrated I/O shield, so position it at a slight angle—rear down and front up—making sure it fully engages in the chassis hole. Confirm the screw holes at the top rear behind the shield line up with the stand-off, and that the corresponding hole beneath the shield beside the first expansion slot is also aligned. Before attaching any fasteners, double-check that all stand-offs are correctly placed; missing one can cause serious problems.
Hey there, sorry for the delayed reply, I was swamped with the PC! Appreciate the guidance, though I ended up finding a solution. The issue was the integrated I/O shield blocking the motherboard from fitting all screws properly. By taking off two of the four securing screws, I could adjust the I/O shield’s slight bend so it aligned perfectly with the motherboard. It looks like the shield was pushed in too far, which prevented the case from resting snugly. This fix should work just fine. Thanks for the tips! Now I’m ready to add the 10 fans...