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Computer case screws

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217: 443:.) The typical threading depth for #4-40 UNC jackposts used in PCs is 3/16" (0.1875 inches or 4.76 millimetres); the jackscrews that go into them are typically somewhat longer. The length of hexagonal jackpost heads can vary slightly, though pairs should be identical. Generally the D-shell stands somewhat proud of these hex bolts. Occasionally the #4-40 hexagonal standoffs come loose when loosening the #4-40 screws to remove a cable, gender changer, or adapter. Care should however be taken not to overtighten standoffs as they are somewhat delicate and will snap off at the base with excessive torque. 311: 423: 481: 493: 240:(threads per inch) which equates to a thread pitch of 0.031250 inches (0.7938 mm). The optional UNC specification indicates the standard coarse thread is used which is defined for #6 screws as 32 tpi rendering 'UNC' redundant, however it may be seen when other specifications such as plating or other treatments are also specified. It is by far the most common screw found inside computer cases. It commonly appears in lengths of 355: 505: 25: 122: 288:
drive is used instead. All three patterns may also be combined with a slot for a flat-blade screwdriver. Usually they are provided with a 1/4 in (0.25 inches (6.4 mm)) flanged hex head. Non-standard metricized 5.5 millimetres (0.22 in) flanged hex heads can also be encountered. Also common
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The M3 is a thinner screw with a finer thread than the #6-32 UNC. This makes it more suitable for fastening into smaller parts and thinner materials requiring good strength in a limited space. Its size and fine thread make it appropriate for applications where a #6-32 UNC would be excessively bulky
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specifying a nominal diameter of 3 millimetres (0.12 in); and standard coarse thread pitch defined as 0.5 millimetres (0.020 in). The M3 is the second most common screw found in PCs. It commonly appears in many lengths from 1 to 20 mm. Nearly every brand-new computer case comes with a bag
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Typically #4-40 UNC standoffs are used, which present the same #4-40 type female threading at their bolt end that they also screw into with their male end. These standoffs may also be called jackposts. They are similar but generally not identical to motherboard standoffs. The bolt end is typically
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Usually, the standoff has a #6-32 UNC male thread on one end which screws into a threaded hole in the case or motherboard backplate and a #6-32 UNC female thread in the other end which accepts a screw to retain the motherboard. Less often, the standoff has a female thread in both ends and a second
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The #6-32 UNC is a thicker screw with a more coarse thread. This makes it more suitable for fastening larger parts and thicker materials requiring increased holding strength. Its larger size and coarse thread make it easier to work with during assembly, with less risk of cross threading. The
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All-metric standoffs are stated as threading x hex length x threaded length. For example, M3 x 10 x 6 means a standoff with M3 male and female threading, 10 mm hex length, and 6 mm threaded length. M6 x 10 x 8 means M6 male and female threading, 10 mm hex length, and 8 mm threaded length.
367:. Sometimes threaded or snap-lock plastic standoffs are used, which are less secure, but equally useful in a stationary computer. The standoff provides a margin of space between the motherboard and the case to keep the multiple solder points below from grounding and short-circuiting. 252:(0.3125 inches (7.94 mm)). Non-standard metricized lengths such as 5 millimetres (0.20 in) are also sometimes encountered. Nearly every brand new computer case comes with a bag of these. They are commonly used for the following purposes, however there are many exceptions: 382:
specification states that the length of standoffs needs to be at least 0.25 inches (6.4 mm), with their cross sections fitting within 0.40 by 0.40 inches (10 mm Ă— 10 mm) square areas centered around each mounting hole on ATX motherboards.
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Steel is by far the most common material used, frequently with a plated or anodized finish. Other materials including brass, aluminum, nylon and various plastics are also used for applications with particular physical or aesthetic requirements.
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hex-shaped, but may exceptionally be round to make removal more difficult. The hex diameter is 3/16", or 4.7mm. A 5mm hex socket might still fit, however where tightening or removal is required, care needs to be taken to select a
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Most cases use threaded brass standoffs (Jack Screw Standoffs) for attaching the motherboard to the case chassis. Because the case material is usually a conductive metal, attaching the motherboard directly to it can cause a
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outer edge. Because they are used in places where high torque is not required and easy removal and replacement may be desirable (such as on the side panels of the PC case), they are frequently available as
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screw is used to attach it to the case. Some standoffs use the M3 female thread (which faces the motherboard) instead of #6-32 UNC, and on a rare occasion a mixture of types can be used in the same case.
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Typically, M2.5 and M3 standoffs tighten with a 5 mm socket, M4 standoffs with a 6 mm socket, M5 standoffs with a 7 mm socket, and M6 standoffs with an 8 mm socket, but this is not always the case.
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diameter, as clearance between the jackpost and subminiature connector D-shell is limited. (A 9mm outer diameter should still fit, but 3/8" might already be marginally too big, depending on
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The M3 screw (bottom) has a thread pitch of 0.5 millimetres (0.020 in), which is finer than the 0.031250 inches (0.7938 mm) pitch of a #6-32 UNC screw (top).
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integrated flange provides greater holding strength with less risk of pull through. The hex head makes it easier to work with during assembly with
42: 410:. The derivation of the customary term "jackscrew" in this context is unclear. The screws are typically thumbscrews, but may be slotted or 216: 606: 108: 652: 89: 719: 61: 632: 310: 46: 68: 736: 75: 504: 162:
define preferred size combinations that are based on generic units—some on the inch and others on the millimetre.
35: 414:, especially where permanent attachment is expected, or where the heads need to be lower-profile to save space. 57: 150:. Although there are numerous manufacturers of computer cases, they have generally used three thread sizes. The 396: 182: 181:
and other circuit boards often use a #6-32 UNC standoff. #4-40 UNC thumb screws are often found on the ends of
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A male DE-9 connector showing hex jackposts on either side of the D-shell. Note the limited clearance.
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of these. Notwithstanding many exceptions, they are commonly used for securing the following devices:
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Close-up of a #6-32 UNC screw with a flanged hex/Phillips head, commonly provided in PC cases
741: 166: 208:) and enthusiast cases will lack screws altogether, instead utilizing a toolless design. 169:
and the case's body to secure the covers. The M3 threaded holes are often found on 5.25"
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Close-up of a #6-32 UNC screw with a Phillips pan head, commonly provided in PC cases
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From left to right: a #6-32 UNC thumbscrew, a #6-32 UNC screw, an M3 screw and a
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with larger, knurled heads that can be removed with one's fingers or tools.
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usually, one or more #6-32 UNC screws hold the main cover on the case
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21 phillips screw 6-32 × 5 mm for motherboard, 3.5” harddisk tray
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7 thumb screw 6-32 × 6 mm for 2.5” drive tray, expansion slots
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without providing any other benefits versus the smaller M3.
399:. These fasteners are typically located on either side of 346:
M3 screws typically accept a #2 Phillips screwdriver tip.
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Pairs of #4-40 UNC jackscrews are used to fasten certain
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1 positioning standoff 6-32 Ă— 6.5 + 4 mm for motherboard
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connectors, such as on VGA, DVI, serial, parallel and
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which is defined as 0.1380 inches (3.51 mm); and
154:(UTS) originates from the United States, while the 49:. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. 16:Hardware used to secure parts of a PC to the case 259:securing a 3.5-inch hard disk drive to the case 596:"2.5-inch Hard Disk Drives Installation Guide" 537:12 phillips screw M3 Ă— 5 mm for 2.5” harddrive 200:More modern cases from certain manufacturers ( 165:The #6-32 UNC screws are often found on 3.5" 8: 720:The 11 Tools Every System Builder Should Own 543:9 standoff 6-32 Ă— 6.5 + 4 mm for motherboard 524:A regular computer case may require/include 142:are the hardware used to secure parts of a 574: 572: 276:They are almost always provided with a #2 248:(0.25 inches (6.4 mm)) or less often 220:The #6-32 UNC screw has a thread pitch of 158:is standardized worldwide. In turn, these 109:Learn how and when to remove this message 662:. 2012-08-18. p. 18. Archived from 269:fastening case components to one another 568: 476: 358:Various types of motherboard standoffs 232:specifying a major thread diameter of 7: 47:adding citations to reliable sources 531:4 hexagon screw 6-32 Ă— 6 mm for psu 256:securing a power supply to the case 244:(0.1875 inches (4.76 mm)) and 224:(0.031250 inches (0.7938 mm)). 605:. January 30, 2007. Archived from 14: 503: 491: 479: 266:in place by its metal slot cover 23: 34:needs additional citations for 1: 463:powered torque screwdrivers 293:screws - a low disk with a 758: 435:with a sufficiently small 723:(and screws) from crn.com 280:drive. Sometimes a Green 510:Thumbscrews from an ATX 441:manufacturing tolerances 333:2.5-inch hard disks and 581:Dan's Data - Letters 53 540:16 KB5 x 10 mm for fans 156:ISO metric screw thread 152:Unified Thread Standard 427: 359: 315: 225: 133: 58:"Computer case screws" 425: 408:game controller ports 357: 313: 219: 124: 631:admin (2022-03-11). 612:on December 24, 2012 387:#4-40 UNC jackscrews 350:Motherboard standoff 43:improve this article 378:Version 2.1 of the 329:optical disc drives 228:The #6-32 UNC is a 177:, and 2.5" drives. 171:optical disc drives 737:Computer enclosure 428: 360: 316: 226: 134: 335:solid-state drive 119: 118: 111: 93: 749: 706: 705: 703: 701: 692: 684: 678: 677: 675: 674: 668: 657: 649: 643: 642: 640: 639: 628: 622: 621: 619: 617: 611: 600: 592: 586: 576: 507: 495: 483: 251: 247: 243: 239: 235: 223: 167:hard disk drives 160:thread standards 114: 107: 103: 100: 94: 92: 51: 27: 19: 757: 756: 752: 751: 750: 748: 747: 746: 727: 726: 715: 710: 709: 699: 697: 690: 686: 685: 681: 672: 670: 666: 660:formfactors.org 655: 651: 650: 646: 637: 635: 630: 629: 625: 615: 613: 609: 598: 594: 593: 589: 578:Rutter, Daniel 577: 570: 565: 553: 522: 515: 508: 499: 496: 487: 484: 475: 458: 449: 420: 389: 352: 308: 249: 245: 241: 237: 233: 221: 214: 212:#6-32 UNC screw 115: 104: 98: 95: 52: 50: 40: 28: 17: 12: 11: 5: 755: 753: 745: 744: 739: 729: 728: 725: 724: 714: 713:External links 711: 708: 707: 679: 644: 623: 587: 567: 566: 564: 561: 560: 559: 552: 549: 548: 547: 544: 541: 538: 535: 532: 529: 521: 518: 517: 516: 509: 502: 500: 497: 490: 488: 485: 478: 474: 471: 457: 454: 448: 445: 419: 416: 412:Phillips drive 401:D-subminiature 397:hardware ports 388: 385: 351: 348: 344: 343: 337: 331: 307: 304: 274: 273: 270: 267: 264:expansion card 260: 257: 213: 210: 137:Computer case 117: 116: 99:September 2007 31: 29: 22: 15: 13: 10: 9: 6: 4: 3: 2: 754: 743: 740: 738: 735: 734: 732: 722: 721: 717: 716: 712: 696: 689: 688:"H500 Manual" 683: 680: 669:on 2016-08-17 665: 661: 654: 648: 645: 634: 627: 624: 608: 604: 597: 591: 588: 584: 582: 575: 573: 569: 562: 558: 555: 554: 550: 545: 542: 539: 536: 533: 530: 527: 526: 525: 519: 513: 506: 501: 494: 489: 482: 477: 472: 470: 466: 464: 455: 453: 446: 444: 442: 438: 434: 424: 417: 415: 413: 409: 406: 402: 398: 394: 386: 384: 381: 376: 372: 368: 366: 365:short circuit 356: 349: 347: 342: 341:floppy drives 338: 336: 332: 330: 326: 325: 324: 321: 312: 305: 303: 301: 296: 292: 287: 283: 279: 271: 268: 265: 261: 258: 255: 254: 253: 231: 218: 211: 209: 207: 203: 198: 196: 192: 188: 184: 180: 176: 175:floppy drives 172: 168: 163: 161: 157: 153: 149: 145: 141: 140: 132: 128: 123: 113: 110: 102: 91: 88: 84: 81: 77: 74: 70: 67: 63: 60: â€“  59: 55: 54:Find sources: 48: 44: 38: 37: 32:This article 30: 26: 21: 20: 718: 698:. Retrieved 682: 671:. Retrieved 664:the original 659: 647: 636:. Retrieved 626: 616:November 16, 614:. Retrieved 607:the original 590: 585:, 2006-02-26 579: 523: 467: 459: 450: 436: 429: 390: 377: 373: 369: 361: 345: 320:metric screw 318:The M3 is a 317: 290: 275: 227: 199: 197:connectors. 179:Motherboards 164: 136: 135: 127:self-tapping 105: 96: 86: 79: 72: 65: 53: 41:Please help 36:verification 33: 583:, "Screwed" 300:thumbscrews 262:holding an 731:Categories 673:2014-12-22 638:2022-03-22 563:References 456:Comparison 433:nut driver 393:connectors 327:5.25-inch 129:screw for 69:newspapers 418:Jackposts 339:3.5-inch 295:chamfered 282:Robertson 230:UTS screw 131:case fans 551:See also 447:Material 306:M3 screw 291:pan head 278:Phillips 195:parallel 700:17 June 520:Example 473:Gallery 250:5/16 in 242:3/16 in 222:1/32 in 206:Gateway 173:, 3.5" 146:to the 83:scholar 742:Screws 405:legacy 246:1/4 in 238:32 tpi 191:serial 139:screws 85:  78:  71:  64:  56:  691:(PDF) 667:(PDF) 656:(PDF) 610:(PDF) 599:(PDF) 437:outer 90:JSTOR 76:books 702:2021 695:NZXT 618:2014 603:HGST 557:Torx 514:case 289:are 286:Torx 202:Dell 193:and 148:case 62:news 395:to 380:ATX 284:or 187:VGA 183:DVI 45:by 733:: 693:. 658:. 601:. 571:^ 512:PC 465:. 234:#6 204:, 189:, 185:, 144:PC 704:. 676:. 641:. 620:. 112:) 106:( 101:) 97:( 87:· 80:· 73:· 66:· 39:.

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"Computer case screws"
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self-tapping
case fans
screws
PC
case
Unified Thread Standard
ISO metric screw thread
thread standards
hard disk drives
optical disc drives
floppy drives
Motherboards
DVI
VGA
serial
parallel
Dell
Gateway

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