AT vs. ATX

[halvey]

hey i have recently outgrown my laptop and decided to build my own computer...i will admit i dont really know that much about computers... i have had my lap top open a few times but nothing real serious.i am a computer science major but am in my early years and u know how that goes.. the first few years are all gen eds..... anyway to get to the real subject i purchesed a rather large AT tower off of ebay... and found out there is also a ATX.... whats the diffrence between the two.... am i gonna have less of a computer if i decide to go with a AT? is there certian things im gonna have to look for compatibilty wise on my hardware if i go with a AT? any comments or suggestions would be of great help... thanks....

 

[Workin']

The only thing compatibiity-wise is that your motherboard will have to be designed for an AT case. But that is a big thing, since AT is an old style so motherboards to fit them are few and far between in this day and age.

Basically the difference is that the power supplies are different and the layout of the connectors on the back of the case (for keyboard, mouse, etc.) is different between the two styles.

 

[halvey]

alright thanks for the info that was a big help, but i do still have some questions.... since AT is the older modle...will i be able to find a mother board that will be compatible with some of the newer stuff........ie pentium III, and the new audio video cards?

 

[Workin']

I just went through an ordeal finding an AT-style board that could run a Slot-1 Celeron. I ended up buying a used one from someone on the FS/FT forums here, and it took almost 2 weeks of posting begging for one from someone, anyone, to part with one. They were very rare to begin with, and I couldn't find a new one to save my life. Nothing on Ebay, just junk, junk, and more junk. Searched hi and lo, was almost ready to give up, then someone saved me. But after two weeks that was the only bite I had.

Unless you have already sunk a pile of money into the case you have (I hope you didn't, an AT case without a decent mobo or other goodies like SCSI or hot-swap power supplies is the kind of thing people pay other people to take off their hands, not the other way around) I would strongly consider going with ATX. Then you would be set for any future upgrades. Otherwise, if you do manage to find a mobo for the AT case you will be at a dead end when you want to upgrade again.

 

[halvey]

hey dude thanks for the help... i dont really have that much money stuck in the case so i think i will just ditch the AT idea and look for a ATX modle....

 

[halvey]

hey dude thanks for the help... i dont really have that much money stuck in the case so i think i will just ditch the AT idea and look for a ATX modle....