Dell Optiplex GX 620 case

[powersmo]

Anybody had experience gutting one of these cases and using it for upgrades? I got one from a co-worker that has a P4 3.4 (I think) and was thinking of using it as a rebuild point for a inexpensive desktop. Would want to put in a AMD 630/ microATX board combo, HD 5670 or GT 240/250, upgrade the PSU and use it basically for internet, email, movies, older games and flight sims. I live in S.Korea and it costs more to get cases from Newegg or others shipped here then it costs to begin with. That's why I was considering using this case. It is sturdy as a tank as well. Your opinion would be useful, thanks.

 

[Juddog]

The GX 620 uses a BTX form factor motherboard, so you're going to have a hard time replacing it or may not be able to replace it at all depending on which of the GX 620's you have (ultra small versus small versus desktop versus minitower).

 

[powersmo]

This is one of the towers cases and I would guess it is more a mid than a mini. Larger than the SLK 1600 I use now for my kids compter and heavier it seems as well.

 

[Juddog]

My experience with those 620's as that they are a pain to work with and mod. Just as a heads up. Even the Dells that are supposedly ATX-compatible are a pain to work with, such as the 630i. With a case like yours, that's BTX, I had to switch out a power supply and it took me way longer than I had anticipated and the power supply didn't fit on snug.

I really would discourage anybody from trying to build a system around that case. Just trust me on this, it's not worth the enormous headache you will go through.

 

[bobross419]

I've got to agree with Juddog. You're probably better off just running with the P4 than dealing with the hassles of the BTX case. I was thinking of doing something similar with a Dell case but after looking into it I didn't feel the effort was worth the result.

 

[powersmo]

Thanks guys. I appreciate having the input from a group of computer experts to lead the way. Dell case it will not be regardless of what has to be done to get the correct size and fit.