Asrock Z170 Pro 4 Question
Printed From: ASRock.com
Category: Technical Support
Forum Name: Intel Motherboards
Forum Description: Question about ASRock Intel Motherboards
URL: https://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1756
Printed Date: 25 Dec 2024 at 1:30pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.04 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Asrock Z170 Pro 4 Question
Posted By: Jed1990
Subject: Asrock Z170 Pro 4 Question
Date Posted: 17 Jan 2016 at 11:21pm
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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! |
Replies:
Posted By: wardog
Date Posted: 17 Jan 2016 at 11:38pm
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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" rel="nofollow - 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. |
Posted By: Xaltar
Date Posted: 17 Jan 2016 at 11:38pm
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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 http://www.pccables.com/STANDOFFS-MOTHERBOARD-STANDARD-MB-PLASTIC%28100%29.htm" rel="nofollow - 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
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Posted By: Jed1990
Date Posted: 17 Jan 2016 at 11:54pm
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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.. |
Posted By: peroni
Date Posted: 17 Jan 2016 at 11:54pm
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I just looked at mine, confirmed, there are 7 screws plus you could use two standoffs in the corners as explained by Xaltar. p.s: I noticed my board is revision 1.01, never seen that before. I wonder if there are older/newer revisions?
------------- Z170 PRO4 i5 6600 2x8GB Corsair DDR3000 SSD 950 Pro (OS) 850 Evo (data) GTX 960 4GB 2x LCD |
Posted By: peroni
Date Posted: 17 Jan 2016 at 11:57pm
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look up your manual, you have PCIe1 to PCIe5 PCIe2 is the one you want to use. ------------- Z170 PRO4 i5 6600 2x8GB Corsair DDR3000 SSD 950 Pro (OS) 850 Evo (data) GTX 960 4GB 2x LCD |
Posted By: Xaltar
Date Posted: 17 Jan 2016 at 11:58pm
PCIe slot 2 is the top x16 slot nearest the CPU  PCIe slot 1 is the short PCIe x1 slot above it and PCIe slot 4 is the bottom most PCIe x16 slot and is only an x4 slot electrically.
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Jed1990 wrote:Posted By: wardog
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2016 at 12:06am
Giving my all here this morning hoping for that digital  you're on the hook to me for  OP, rule of thumb to follow. The only number of standoffs screwed into the case should/better correlate directly to the number of securing holes the motherboard has. 1 stand off = 1 hole. No more, period. All unused other standoffs should be removed. |
Posted By: Jed1990
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2016 at 12:13am
Yeah, It seemed weird. Everyone I knew was telling me to make sure i had the 9 standoff screws in place , which is why I just wanted to ask haha. Thought it was the case and was going to buy my mates Fractal Design but it had the same issue, now the only issue i have left with this case is the dam front USB 2.0 headers!Where did you find the revision 1.01?
Got it, thanks heaps for your help Xaltar! |
Posted By: wardog
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2016 at 12:15am
Side note: In instances where a case I'm building into does not have the proper mounting holes for standoffs, I having built computers for years and years now, have a bag full of those now old pop-in plastic standoffs that I will grind the threads off and pop into the MBs holes to support that section(s). One, they're plastic, thus not conductive. Two, they support where no hole is present beneath. |
Posted By: peroni
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2016 at 12:21am
About where the blue circle is in this pic  ------------- Z170 PRO4 i5 6600 2x8GB Corsair DDR3000 SSD 950 Pro (OS) 850 Evo (data) GTX 960 4GB 2x LCD |
Posted By: Xaltar
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2016 at 12:55am
Like these that I linked earlier though I also know the threaded ones you are talking about
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Posted By: wardog
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2016 at 6:14am
Yea! This style are the type you dropped the attached standoffs in the round hole then pushed pushed the motherboard 1/4"-3/8" till it clicked/snapped into place, securing it to the case. One word of caution here: Make sure the standoff distance, the distance between the back of the board and the cases mounting plate, are at the same "stand off" distance. ie: the same installed height be it these plastic ones and the more predominant now metal screw in type. |
Posted By: wardog
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2016 at 6:21am
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Sheesh wardog, Also, DO NOT use these plastic types unless only needed. They are NOT conductive and our boards we use now require grounding via the fastening screws and standoffs to the chassis of the case. If there is lead built up around the MBs standoff holes where the screw tightens to, that signifies it is meant as a grounding point. Most times if used around the periphery of the board you're ok. It's around devices, slots, and chipsets that these should not be used on todays boards. This is where grounding is much more important, but a corner or two is most times ok. |