Do Computer Cases Come with Motherboard Screws?

The Screw Situation: What’s Actually Included

Alright, let’s get down to brass tacks. When you buy a new computer case, what kind of screws are you actually going to find rattling around in that box? Most of the time, you’ll find a decent selection. They’re usually in a little plastic bag, sometimes taped to the inside of a drive bay or tucked away in a small compartment. What’s usually in there? You’ll get screws for mounting your hard drives and SSDs – the fatter, coarser-threaded ones. You’ll likely find some fan screws, which are often rubberized or have a slightly different pitch.

And then there are the motherboard mounting screws. These are the ones that are absolutely vital. They’re typically smaller, with a fine thread and a somewhat rounded or hexagonal head, designed to fit into the standoffs that are either pre-installed in the case or that you’ll install yourself. The million-dollar question, of course, is: do computer cases come with motherboard screws? The answer is usually, but not always. This is where the confusion and frustration creep in.

Some manufacturers are pretty good about tossing in a generous handful of these. They’ll give you more than enough, often with a few spares because they know how easily these little guys can vanish into the carpet abyss. Other brands?

Not so much. They might include just enough for a standard ATX motherboard, assuming you’re not doing anything fancy. And then there are the cases that come with absolutely zero motherboard screws.

Zip. Nada. You’re expected to use the ones that came with your motherboard box, or buy them separately.

It’s infuriating, honestly. I’ve bought cases that felt premium in every other way, only to be annoyed by the screw situation.

It’s like buying a gourmet meal and finding out the salt and pepper are extra.

The common advice from so-called experts is often “just check the motherboard box.” And yeah, that’s usually the fallback. Motherboard manufacturers do typically include screws for their own boards. But what if you’re reusing an older motherboard in a new case? Or what if the motherboard box is long gone? Or, heaven forbid, what if you lost those screws too? It happens. I once spent an entire evening searching my workshop for a specific set of motherboard screws after a hasty move. Turns out, they’d hitched a ride in a coffee mug. True story. (See Also: How To Fix Eyeglasses Arm Without Screw )

So, while many cases do include motherboard screws, it’s not a guarantee you can bank on. It’s always a good idea to have a backup plan, which we’ll get into later. Don’t assume; always verify if you can, or be prepared to acquire them separately.

Why Some Cases Skimp (and What to Do)

This is where I get a little opinionated. Why do some case manufacturers decide that including a few measly motherboard screws is optional? It boils down to a few likely reasons, none of which really excuse the inconvenience for the end-user. One is cost-cutting. Even a few cents worth of screws adds up when you’re mass-producing thousands of cases. They might figure, “Hey, the motherboard box has screws, the customer can use those.” That’s a lazy, corporate way of thinking, if you ask me. They’re selling you a structure to build a PC; the foundation of that structure should be complete.

Another reason could be standardization. Different motherboards have slightly different standoff heights and screw requirements, though most follow ATX, Micro-ATX, or ITX standards. A case manufacturer might provide generic standoffs and a generic set of screws, assuming they’ll fit the majority. But again, this isn’t foolproof. What if your specific motherboard uses a slightly different screw type or requires a specific standoff height that the case doesn’t account for? It’s a gamble.

So, what’s the game plan when you realize your shiny new case is light on the key hardware? First, always, always check that motherboard box. Seriously, scour it. Sometimes they’re hidden in a separate little cardboard insert or taped to the inside of the manual sleeve.

If you’ve already tossed the box or are reusing an old motherboard, your next stop is usually a dedicated PC hardware store or an online retailer like Amazon, Newegg, or even eBay. You can buy small kits of assorted motherboard screws, often called a ‘motherboard screw kit’ or ‘PC screw assortment’. These kits are relatively cheap, usually running anywhere from $5 to $15, and they’re a lifesaver.

They’ll typically have a variety of screw types, including the ones you need for mounting the motherboard, securing SSDs and HDDs, and even some for PSU installation.

I learned this the hard way during a build for a friend. I’d bought a budget case, and sure enough, no motherboard screws. I had a pile of other PC parts, but no way to actually secure the main component. I ended up having to run to the local computer shop and pay $8 for a tiny bag of screws. Felt like getting mugged for spare change. It’s a lesson in preparedness. Don’t let that happen to you.

The best approach is to anticipate this. When you buy your case, make a note of whether it explicitly states it includes motherboard screws. If it doesn’t, or if you’re unsure, add a small screw kit to your order. It’s a small investment to avoid a massive headache. You might also find that the standoffs in the case are pre-installed. If they are, they’re usually set up for a standard ATX board. If you’re using a smaller Micro-ATX or ITX board, you might need to remove some standoffs and install new ones, which again, should come with your motherboard box. It’s a bit of a jigsaw puzzle sometimes.

Motherboard Screws vs. Other Pc Screws: What’s the Difference?

This is a common point of confusion for newcomers. People see a handful of screws and assume they’re all interchangeable. Big mistake. Using the wrong screw can damage your motherboard, your case, or both. Let’s break down the main types you’ll encounter when building a PC, focusing on what to look for when you’re wondering if your case has the right ones.

First, the stars of our show: Motherboard Mounting Screws. These are the most important. They have a fine thread, designed to mate with the brass or raised plastic standoffs in your case. These screws are usually a bit longer than your typical small electronics screw, and they have a head that’s designed to be driven with a Phillips head screwdriver, though some might have a hex head. The key is the fine thread. They’re meant to screw securely into the standoff without stripping the threads or putting too much pressure on the motherboard PCB itself. You’ll need one for each standoff. Most motherboards require around 6 to 9 of these, depending on their size (ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX). (See Also: How Measure Metric Computer Screws )

Next up, Hard Drive and SSD Screws. These are usually fatter and have a coarser thread. For 3.5-inch hard drives, they’re typically a bit longer and sturdier to hold the weight of the drive securely. For 2.5-inch SSDs, they’re often shorter and thinner, but still with a coarser thread than motherboard screws. You’ll find these are usually the most abundant in a case’s accessory bag because you might be mounting multiple drives. Don’t confuse these with motherboard screws – the thread pitch is totally different and you risk cross-threading or damaging the standoffs.

Then you have Power Supply Unit (PSU) Screws. These are usually four larger, coarser-threaded screws that secure the PSU to the back of the case. They’re pretty distinctive and you’re unlikely to mix them up with motherboard screws, but it’s worth knowing they exist. They’re designed to handle the weight and vibration of the PSU.

Fan Screws are a mixed bag. Some are standard machine screws, while others are specially designed with rubber grommets or a softer metal to help dampen vibration and noise. They can vary in length and thread, so it’s best to use the ones that come with your fans or the ones specifically provided by the case manufacturer for fan mounting.

Finally, there are Case Panel Screws. These are the screws that hold your side panels on. They’re often thumb screws (which you can tighten by hand, no screwdriver needed) or larger, coarser-threaded screws. Their primary job is convenience and holding the panels securely, not precise component mounting.

The takeaway here is that while many cases do include motherboard screws, they’re distinct from other types. If you’re salvaging screws from an old build or an old component box, be absolutely sure you’re using the correct ones for the motherboard. Using a drive screw, for example, could strip the threads in the standoff, rendering it useless. It’s a small detail that can save you a lot of frustration and potential damage.

A Personal Screw-Up Story (and What I Learned)

I’ve been building PCs for well over a decade, and you’d think I’d have learned every lesson by now. Nope. About three years ago, I decided to upgrade my main rig. I bought a new, sleek, minimalist case – one of those fancy ones that looks more like a piece of furniture than a computer. It was gorgeous. It promised excellent airflow, easy cable management, and a quiet operation. It delivered on most of those promises, but when it came time to install the motherboard, I hit a wall.

The case itself was beautiful, and the manual was surprisingly clear. It even had little diagrams showing where all the components went. But when I opened the accessory bag, I found screws for the SSDs, screws for the power supply, and some generic screws that looked like they might fit the motherboard standoffs. There were no dedicated motherboard screws. None. Not a single one.

My heart sank. This wasn’t a cheap case, mind you. I expected a complete set of hardware. I had this pristine motherboard, ready to be installed, and no way to secure it properly. My brain went into panic mode. I rummaged through my “spare parts” drawer, a chaotic collection of screws, standoffs, and random bits of plastic and metal from countless builds. I found a few screws that looked about right, but they felt loose in the standoffs. I tried one. It went in, but it didn’t feel snug. I tightened it a bit, and then I felt that sickening slight give – the sound of stripping threads.

Immediately, I stopped. I pulled the screw out and looked at the standoff. Yep, damaged. That was it. I couldn’t risk putting the motherboard in like that. I was stuck. My options were: 1) Go buy a new set of motherboard screws from the nearest electronics store, assuming they had the right kind, or 2) try to find some alternative solution, which I absolutely wasn’t going to do with a several-hundred-dollar motherboard on the line.

I ended up driving 45 minutes to the nearest Micro Center. I bought the cheapest, most generic motherboard screw kit they had. It cost me about $12. When I got back and installed the correct screws, everything went together perfectly. The motherboard was secured firmly, and the rest of the build proceeded without a hitch. (See Also: How To Adjust Eyeglass Screw )

The lesson learned? Never, ever assume that a case, no matter how expensive or well-reviewed, will come with all the necessary motherboard screws. Always check the contents of the accessory bag before you start your build. And if you’re unsure, or if you know you’ll be reusing an older motherboard or need extras, buy a dedicated motherboard screw kit. It’s cheap insurance against a major headache and potential damage. That $12 kit saved me potentially hundreds in repairs or a new motherboard. It’s a lesson I now impart to everyone who asks me about PC building.

Do Computer Cases Come with Motherboard Screws? A Comparison

To help clear things up, here’s a quick rundown of what different types of cases typically include. Keep in mind, this is a generalization, and manufacturers can change their accessory packages without much notice. Always check product descriptions or reviews if you’re buying online and need to be certain.

As you can see, the higher the tier of the case, the more likely you are to find a complete set of screws, including those for the motherboard. Budget cases are more of a gamble. The quality of the screws can also differ; premium cases often have nicer, more precisely machined screws that are less likely to strip. Budget cases might use softer metal or have less consistent threading.

It’s also worth mentioning that some modern cases come with pre-installed standoffs. These are the little raised posts that the motherboard screws into. If your case has these, they are usually set up for a standard ATX motherboard. If you’re using a different size board (Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX), you might need to adjust or add standoffs, which should ideally come with your motherboard. The screws themselves still need to be compatible with these standoffs. So, even with pre-installed standoffs, the question of do computer cases come with motherboard screws remains relevant for the actual screws.

Faq: Common Questions About Motherboard Screws