Motherborad & ATX Backplate Compatibility

[Tony]

Having decided to build my own PC I have chosen the P4P800 -E/Deluxe mobo,
along with a P4 E 3.0G Intel proc and appropriate memory. However, in
looking for a nice shiny new case in which to house all this expensive
gubbins, I noticed that the ATX input/output backplate (cut-outs for USB,
Parallel, Serial, Sound, etc connectors) on all the cases that I looked at
were different from the I/O layout on the back of the ASUS mobo. ASUS mobos
seem to have substantially more connectors than the standard (?) ATX
cut-outs I have seen. I asked a couple of case manufacturers and they told
me that the backplates come with the motherboards. I looked at a couple of
motherboards at a local shop where a very flimsy plate was supplied but this
looked like some kind of screening plate and did not have any fixing holes
to screw it to the ATC case aperture. Also several people tell me that
cases come with an assortment of backplates.

Looking at various cases and motherboards, there seem to be so many
different backplate layouts and methods of attaching them to the main case,
that I would be surprised if it was possible to make a perfect match without
having to resort to drilling, filing and compromising neatness.

Can anyone advise before I give up and buy a bare bones, which means major
compromises having to be made.

Thanks
DIY

 

[John]

The backplate comes with the motherboard. Put the exisiting backplate out of
the case and push your new one in

 

[Paul]

Having decided to build my own PC I have chosen the P4P800 -E/Deluxe mobo,
along with a P4 E 3.0G Intel proc and appropriate memory. However, in
looking for a nice shiny new case in which to house all this expensive
gubbins, I noticed that the ATX input/output backplate (cut-outs for USB,
Parallel, Serial, Sound, etc connectors) on all the cases that I looked at
were different from the I/O layout on the back of the ASUS mobo. ASUS mobos
seem to have substantially more connectors than the standard (?) ATX
cut-outs I have seen. I asked a couple of case manufacturers and they told
me that the backplates come with the motherboards. I looked at a couple of
motherboards at a local shop where a very flimsy plate was supplied but this
looked like some kind of screening plate and did not have any fixing holes
to screw it to the ATC case aperture. Also several people tell me that
cases come with an assortment of backplates.

Looking at various cases and motherboards, there seem to be so many
different backplate layouts and methods of attaching them to the main case,
that I would be surprised if it was possible to make a perfect match without
having to resort to drilling, filing and compromising neatness.

Can anyone advise before I give up and buy a bare bones, which means major
compromises having to be made.

Thanks
DIY

There is a standard for the backplate. The backplates are
interchangable, and they are a compression fit into the aperture
in the back of the computer case. Simply pop out the old one and
pop in the new.

http://web.archive.org/web/20021201...mfactors.org/developer/specs/atx/atxio_11.pdf

Installing the plate on the inside of the case, means the motherboard
connectors press against it and keep it in place. So, once the
motherboard is secure and screwed down, the backplate isn't going
anywhere because it is "trapped", as well as being snapped into
place.

You could probably install the motherboard without the backplate.
But the purpose of the backplate, and the conductive springs on
the I/O connectors, is to drain electromagnetic interference into
the chassis, rather than let the I/O connectors function as radio
antennas. Although the scheme is flimsy, it is all part of trying
to prevent your computer from disturbing your broadcast TV reception.
A lot of the noise that escapes the computer, is via any wires that
escape the case, and that includes keyboard, mouse, video cables
and so on.

One source of interference I find annoying, is via the power cord.
A computer power supply is supposed to have a common mode filter
on the incoming AC, and the filter is supposed to prevent noise
from escaping back down the power cord. A couple of ATX supplies
I have here, are very poor at it. You can find power strips with
common mode filters (chokes) inside them, and such a power strip
can further reduce the herringbone pattern on a TV.

Paul

 

[DaveW]

The backplate that you are to use does come with the motherboard and is a
pressure fit device; it does NOT attach using screws. And, yes, the Asus
backplates that come with their motherboards work just fine in a wide
variety of brands of cases.

 

[rstlne]

Seems like you spoke to a lot of people and they said
"The backplate comes with the motherboard"
Your not going to get a different answer here.

A basic motherboard (standard io ports, no sound, video, networking) will
usually fit the bays in the cases. Just buy a case, and buy a motherboard..
It will work.

 

[Tony]

Many thanks for the definite advice. I wonder why the nice experts at my
local "Computer Specialists" shop didn't explain this! (perhaps the subject
of another posting elsewhere some day)?
Thanks again.
Tony