Where can I obtain large quantities of the screws used in computer building?

[john01dav]

Hello,

 

I have a largish set of parts that I often swap around to build a computer relevant to whatever it is I want to do in that moment. Unfortunately, however, over the years, most of the necessary screws have gotten lost. As such, I would like to buy large quantities of the kinds of screws that go into a motherboard standoff (which also seem to be the same kind that fit all the case side panels I have), and the longer screws that are used in stock cooler AM3+ socket mounting (most of my parts are based on this, and I use them for non-gaming workloads where the lackluster performance of such an old CPU lineup is perfectly fine). I have no idea where to buy these screws from, however, or even what the correct name for them is so I can try to find places to buy them. I am looking to get as many as I can of these two kinds of screws for around US$10, and I would greatly appreciate recommendations on where to do so. I even went into a home depot with samples of the kinds of screws I am looking for, and the employees there were very confused by them, and said they wearn't anything they carried.

 

Thank you

 

Note: I am presently in a ruralish area where there aren't many stores (ie. micro center, best buy) available within a reasonable distance, so online options with reasonably quick shipping are preferred.

[Skiiwee29]

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Computer+screws

[john01dav]

2 minutes ago, legacy99 said:

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Computer+screws

I did the same search, and I actually got one of those kits a few years ago, and it has many screws that don't fit anything I have, with only a few of the correct type. I am looking to get a bunch of the correct type (that go into motherboard standoffs), and none of the useless ones.

[kanesmadness]

If you know the screw type you are looking for then a site like https://www.mcmaster.com/ will be much cheaper for greater quantity.

[john01dav]

11 minutes ago, kanesmadness said:

If you know the screw type you are looking for then a site like https://www.mcmaster.com/ will be much cheaper for greater quantity.

I am having a lot of trouble finding a motherboard screw on that website. Is there some resource explaining what the correct names for all the various screws are?

[Bananasplit_00]

I personally just took all the screws from a bunch of old computers a local company threw out, it's great because it's free

[RicY]

1 hour ago, john01dav said:

I am having a lot of trouble finding a motherboard screw on that website. Is there some resource explaining what the correct names for all the various screws are?

It depends on the case, what screws are used. I've had case that use M3 thread sized standoffs and screws for MB, but another one used those 'murican 6/32" UNC type standoffs and screws. So its really a gamble to know what screws to use, but most commonly theese are the two styles used in pc's(from my experience) - M3 and 6/32".

[kanesmadness]

@john01dav try this https://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-rounded-head-screws/=1c4bdzs or this https://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-rounded-head-screws/=1c4beqv and just work out how long you want them.

 

So long as its Phillips Pan Head in the sizes @RicY mentioned you should be ok...its also gonna be way cheaper this way.

 

There might even be a specialized "Fastener" store somewhere in your area you could try if you don't want to risk it online.