Can a Micro-ATX board fit into an ATX case?

[skillyho]

Hi guys,

Sorry for the lame question but I'm about to order a new Biostar TForce6100 MicroATX board and I need a case to slap it in. I dont want to spend over 50 bucks total b/c this is just for a cheap system to have in my room so keeping prices as low as possible would be best. I would highly prefer to have a case that comes with a PSU already....

The one I'm looking is here...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811164063

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[DBSX]

Yep. mATX will fit just fine in a "regular" ATX case.

\Dan

 

[zagood]

Yes, but why? You should be able to find a comparable full ATX board for the same price.

Unless you're going to move to a mATX case in the future for a specific reason, go for regular ATX. Better for cooling, more PCI slots, etc, etc.

BTW what are you planning on running on that thing? The power supply only has 18 amps on the +12v, that's not going to be healthy for any VGA 6600GT and over.

-z

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: DBSX
Yep. mATX will fit just fine in a "regular" ATX case.

\Dan

What about the MB standoffs? Does the mATX standard take this into account DBSX?

 

[skillyho]

Originally posted by: zagood
Yes, but why? You should be able to find a comparable full ATX board for the same price.

Unless you're going to move to a mATX case in the future for a specific reason, go for regular ATX. Better for cooling, more PCI slots, etc, etc.

BTW what are you planning on running on that thing? The power supply only has 18 amps on the +12v, that's not going to be healthy for any VGA 6600GT and over.

-z

I want that particular board for it's decent onboard video and proven OC abilities. This is just going to be a backup machine with a Sempy 2800+. Should get 2.6 at 325HTT easy with a small voltage nudge on stock cooling. The PSU may be replaced down the road for something more high end when prices drop on say a 6800GS.

Can you explain how the 12v rail works exactly and what numbers I should be looking for if I wanted a decent psu? I heard that 18amps isn't too bad for a case/psu combo in this price range...

 

[skillyho]

Originally posted by: Zim Hosein

Originally posted by: DBSX
Yep. mATX will fit just fine in a "regular" ATX case.

\Dan

What about the MB standoffs? Does the mATX standard take this into account DBSX?

I was thinking the same thing about the stand offs....I guess I have green lights to go ahead and build since everyone says it should be okay though.

Back to the power supply, anyone else think the 18A on the +12v is going to be a problem? Or should this only be a problem with a higher end video card?

 

[zagood]

Read this.

http://forums.extremeoverclocking.com/showthread.php?t=136602

-z

 

[DBSX]

Originally posted by: Zim Hosein

Originally posted by: DBSX
Yep. mATX will fit just fine in a "regular" ATX case.

\Dan

What about the MB standoffs? Does the mATX standard take this into account DBSX?

Most ATX cases have multiple standoff positions that can be changed as needed to accomadate various ATX standard motherboards, including mATX. I have built several computers for friends using mATX boards in standard ATX cases, and the most I had to do was adjust a couple standoff bases to properly match the mATX board configuration.

\Dan

 

[jimbob200521]

should work, ive got a gateway micro-atx mobo in a full tower silverstone case right now, not problems. just make sure that the case your mounting the board into has the right standoffs

 

[ND40oz]

I had my Jetway mATX in my EATX Titan for a while. It only mounted on 4 standoffs, but worked fine.

You can get the Aspire Qpack for 65 bucks after rebate every once in while. It one of the most liked mATX cases over in the Hard SFF forums.

 

[Jhhnn]

This is actually a decent case/psu combo-

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811190022

The front perf grilles in the air slots pop right out, and the rear grille is easy to mod, replace it with a wire grille- Power Q is a fortron made psu, so no worries there...

Or spend a few bucks more for one of the V or Z series Inwins- probably the best of the micro boxes... also with good psu's.

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

Yes, but an mATX case can't fit an Asus A8N-E ATX mobo in it. Just realized I had ordered an ATX mobo for a mATX case. Damn it. Oh well. I have a new modding case, and my wife gets a bigger case....

 

[skillyho]

Thanks for all the help everyone...I've decided to go with.....

dun dun duuuuun...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811147016

It looks pretty cool to me...and should be fine with my Micro-ATX board. The 120MM rear fan should help with the cooler master aquagate mini liquid cooling on down the road. I wonder what the highest Sempron 3100+ OC is on these forums now....I'm hoping for 2.8GHz!

Thanks again fellas.

 

[Zim Hosein]

Looks like a nice budget case BSkip22, Post some :camera:s once you have everything installed if you don't mind, I'd like to see how it looks

 

[skillyho]

Thanks man. I'll try and get a few pics up within a week or two...

 

[jjmIII]

I like this case alot!

I'm running a similar setup to you BSkip22. The mATX Biostar is a GREAT choice.

The Cooler Master case above is a little more $$$, but looks great I think. They also sell it with no PSU for $50. I'm thinking about getting it since I'm so happy with my little OC'd Semp .