Are Dell cases (and internal equipment) proprietary?

[Kelemvor]

I have the innards for a Dell Optiplex GX620 but don't have the case. I thought I might just pick up a cheap case somewhere but I know some manufacturers use proprietary equipment layouts that don't work in standard equipment.

The stuff I have is designed to be mounted on the left side of the case (if looking at it from the front) as the right side is what's removable. Most cases I've used in the past are the opposite of this.

Is this just a certain case design I need to look for or is this because it's Dell and I'm stuck unless I can find a Dell case?

The case in question looks like this:
http://www.buy.com/prod/dell-optiple...215529479.html

The right side pops off and the MB is mounted on the left.

 

[Juddog]

I have the innards for a Dell Optiplex GX620 but don't have the case. I thought I might just pick up a cheap case somewhere but I know some manufacturers use proprietary equipment layouts that don't work in standard equipment.

The stuff I have is designed to be mounted on the left side of the case (if looking at it from the front) as the right side is what's removable. Most cases I've used in the past are the opposite of this.

Is this just a certain case design I need to look for or is this because it's Dell and I'm stuck unless I can find a Dell case?

The case in question looks like this:
http://www.buy.com/prod/dell-optiple...215529479.html

The right side pops off and the MB is mounted on the left.

I believe the one you linked is a BTX form factor. You'll need a BTX form factor case in order to mount it, which are hard to come by, and even then there will be some things which are very odd about it when you do put it in there. In short I wouldn't bother, it's most likely not worth the cost.

 

[alkalinetaupehat]

"Hard to find":
http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_tr...nkw=dell+gx620+case&_sacat=See-All-Categories

Seems like it would be $20, though this one is a SFF:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Dell-Optiplex-G...ltDomain_0&hash=item255c0db3ee#ht_3952wt_1224

Confirm your form factor before ordering and you should be good to go.

 

[Kelemvor]

Someone also recommended I might just scrap the MB and get a new one and then I can use a normal case like I already have. Not sure how much that would be but I made a post in the MB forum as well so I guess we'll see what I can come up with.

Thanks.

Oh, and my board it from a standard Tower version of the GX620. Not sure if the same board will fit in one of the smaller cases or not. hmmm.

 

[WoodButcher]

Have you hooked everything up with no case to see that it works as expected? It may not be worth the effort. Do you have a slimline dvd/ cd for that case? proper PSU? HD caddies?

 

[Slugbait]

I bought an old Pentium D-based Dell at a garage sale last weekend for $5, primarily cuz it had a 3.5" media reader that I wanted for my main rig. Of course, I get it home and find out that the USB connectors for it, both in and out, are definitely proprietary.

I expected the power supply and HSF/shroud to be proprietary (and they certainly were) but a basic USB device?

In my defense, that was the very first Dell box I ever bought...

 

[Kelemvor]

I have everything from inside the case to make this work except the HDD which I will pick up myself. I have the PSU and everything else. The case was damaged but the PC still works but the side panels don't fit any more and things so I need to replace the case or replace the MB in order to use a case I already have.

I don't have a slimline but won't be installing a CD drive anyway. It's just a media PC for recording shows and watching downloaded video content.

 

[Juddog]

I have everything from inside the case to make this work except the HDD which I will pick up myself. I have the PSU and everything else. The case was damaged but the PC still works but the side panels don't fit any more and things so I need to replace the case or replace the MB in order to use a case I already have.

I don't have a slimline but won't be installing a CD drive anyway. It's just a media PC for recording shows and watching downloaded video content.

As alkalinetaupehat mentioned, you can pick a Dell case off of ebay for cheap, but don't expect the parts to work in any of the custom cases, as I mentioned BTX cases are hard to come by. Newegg used to have some in stock, but last time I searched they didn't.

 

[Juddog]

"Hard to find":
http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_tr...nkw=dell+gx620+case&_sacat=See-All-Categories

Seems like it would be $20, though this one is a SFF:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Dell-Optiplex-G...ltDomain_0&hash=item255c0db3ee#ht_3952wt_1224

Confirm your form factor before ordering and you should be good to go.

I said that BTX cases were hard to come by and that the Dell cases are typically proprietary. Yes he can buy another GX 620 shell off of ebay that's the mid-tower form factor, but his motherboard most likely won't fit in a SFF / slimline model of the GX 620.

 

[Kelemvor]

so many options. gotta figure out what to do now...