Asrock Z170 Pro 4 Question

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   Sorry for the simple questions! Been trying to research/read as much as i can but only so much i can absorb in a couple of weeks.

A mate bought a Fractal design define r5 and it was the same situation, only 7 holes fitted. Top and bottom right didn't. So I don't think its a case issues and those 2 holes look totally different to the other 7. I installed the cooler and ram outside the case, So hopefully 7 will be fine thanks both of you!

I'm probably going to be a little frustrating but you guys just confused me 
Wardog you said  PCIe slot two is for all intenets an purposes the only one that is PCIe x16 but Xaltar just said the GPU bottom x16 slot is limited to x4 bandwidth? 
I'm assuming the slot under the CPU is the slot to use? 
Sorry for being a little slow to pick it up.. 

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Jed1990 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 17 Jan 2016 Status: Offline Points: 5	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jed1990 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 17 Jan 2016 at 11:54pm
	Sorry for the simple questions! Been trying to research/read as much as i can but only so much i can absorb in a couple of weeks. A mate bought a Fractal design define r5 and it was the same situation, only 7 holes fitted. Top and bottom right didn't. So I don't think its a case issues and those 2 holes look totally different to the other 7. I installed the cooler and ram outside the case, So hopefully 7 will be fine thanks both of you! I'm probably going to be a little frustrating but you guys just confused me Wardog you said PCIe slot two is for all intenets an purposes the only one that is PCIe x16 but Xaltar just said the GPU bottom x16 slot is limited to x4 bandwidth? I'm assuming the slot under the CPU is the slot to use? Sorry for being a little slow to pick it up..

Xaltar Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 16 May 2015 Location: Europe Status: Offline Points: 26948	Post Options Post Reply Quote Xaltar Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 17 Jan 2016 at 11:38pm
	The only important thing to remember with standoffs is to never have any in places where the board does not. If you have standoffs everywhere case and board both support you will be fine. If you are really concerned and want to have every available standoff attached you can pick up something like this and clip off the knob at "C" on the diagram. That will give the board extra support at those points. As for the GPU in the bottom x16 slot you will be limited to x4 bandwidth, always use the recommended slot for a single GPU. [edit] haha Wardog beat me to it Edited by Xaltar - 17 Jan 2016 at 11:40pm

wardog Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 15 Jul 2015 Status: Offline Points: 6447	Post Options Post Reply Quote wardog Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 17 Jan 2016 at 11:38pm
	If the cases holes do not align with those on the MB to do not use them. But, I you do choose to continue using that case be aware that those two, top right and bottom left, DO ad rigidity to the motherboard itself, so pushing hard anywhere adjacent to these two unused standoff locations may damage the MB in an unrepairable way. --- Now.... re: slots and their TRUE electrical connection. If you'll look at the Specifications page for your board, linked below: http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/Z170%20Pro4/index.us.asp?cat=Specifications you'll see the below description of the slots and their electrical PCIe connection, regardless of PCIe slot length - 2 x PCI Express 3.0 x16 Slots (PCIE2: x16 mode; PCIE4: x4 mode)* - 3 x PCI Express 3.0 x1 Slots (Flexible PCIe) Meaning PCIe slot two is for all intenets an purposes the only one that is PCIe x16. And there is the answer to your other final question.

Jed1990 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 17 Jan 2016 Status: Offline Points: 5	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jed1990 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 17 Jan 2016 at 11:21pm
	Hello guys, I'm currently doing my first build. I'm reusing my old HAF 932 case with a Asrock Z170 motherboard, I just have a question about the motherboard standoffs. My case says for ATX boards I should be using 9 stand offs then putting the board onto the 9 stand offs then using the screws to screw through the motherboard holes and into the stand offs. The alignment is fine in my case, but I have to use slightly different numbers to what is recommended to make it fit and have the IO shield flush. It seems the ASrock Z170 Pro 4 only has 7 holes to put on the stand offs? I can see 2 extra holes in each corner (top right and bottom right) but they don't have the metal like the other holes and look different, they also don't align with my case.. I've asked a couple of mates, and posted on a separate forum and they say 7 is fine, and some motherboards only come with 5-8. I just want to be 100% sure, since it seems this is one of the worst things you could muck up with a computer build and its my first build Here is a picture, I'm screwing the gold standoffs into the case then placing the motherboard onto them and screwing it into place. The holes I am using/can find are 4 on the left side of the board, 3 of the 4 under the IS shield and the 4th on the top left corner next to the IS shield. Then 3 between the middle of the board and the right side for a total of 7. The other question while I'm here, Obviously I can't SLI on the board. I want to connect my graphics card to the bottom PCie slot since it's more space. I've read on many forums that the primary slot is the slot closest to the CPU and if you use the second slot you may get express x8 speed instead of x16 speed? Depending on the motherboard. I just want to know if both PCie 16x slots will be the speed and if I use the bottom slot I won't get slower speeds? otherwise ill just use the slot closest to the CPU. Many thanks! Edited by Jed1990 - 17 Jan 2016 at 11:26pm