Only a few of the six screws can be tightened, should that be fine?
Only a few of the six screws can be tightened, should that be fine?
I’m trying to purchase a new motherboard for my office PC. I found that only four screws fit on the board, but some holes aren’t aligned with my standoffs. Will that still work? I’m not using a heavy cooler, just the Intel stock one, and my GPU is a GTX 750. The checkmarks show which screws I can screw in, and the X marks the spots I can’t.
The screw positions aren't uniform; if it could be evenly distributed across four sides, it would be fine. For your setup, as long as the GPU stays firmly in place, it should work eventually. However, I recommend adding support for the GPU just in case. Exercise extra caution when taking it out or removing PCIE devices—there’s nothing keeping the motherboard in place, so you could accidentally bend it. Lower-end cases usually don’t provide enough space for easy GPU removal, increasing the risk of bending the board during installation. I’d suggest adjusting the case’s mounting points if possible.
Removing your GPU while the case is on its side is generally safe as long as the motherboard stays in contact with the back. You can secure it by placing it on a stable surface or using a support stand. Holding the motherboard down at the screw-free area is also fine. For GPU support, a good option is a dedicated PCIe heatsink or a custom mount to keep it stable and cool.
It's usually better this way since gravity assists you. However, I'd prefer to secure the board more firmly because PCIE slots can be very tight, making it difficult to remove the GPU without using the case for support. For stability, simply place any anti-sag device under the GPU. I doubt you could hold down the area without screws or stands, as it might warp, which is hard to picture without trying.