Dumb question about Power Supplies and cases.

[jagr10]

You know how they have those power supplies that are vertical and then there are those that have 2 fans in them. Well, do all power supplies fit in any atx case? They look bigger than regular power supplies and i was wondering how you know which power supply will fit in which case. If it's ATX, then does that mean it will fit in any ATX case?

Someone please explain what seems to be very simple to me. Thanks.

 

[nolovenohope]

Yes, any ATX power supply will fit in any ATX case whether it is horizontal or vertical mount.

mATX and ATX are a different story however.

 

[Cerb]

An ATX PSU will fit an ATX case. Some PSUs *are* deeper, but otherwise, unless they are mATX or some other form factor, they'll fit.

 

[lenjack]

Why do you think this is a dumb question? It isn't. there was a time when none of us here knew the answer to that. We had to ask.

 

[Cerb]

Originally posted by: lenjack
Why do you think this is a dumb question? It isn't. there was a time when none of us here knew the answer to that. We had to ask.

Good point. As Mr. Garrison said, "There no stupid questions; only stupid people."

Edit: I never did have to ask about that, oddly enough. Just an odd tidbit, growing up in the house that I did.

WARNING: TANGENT
I still do wonder about the Compaq and HP machines where the cases have room and support rails a full ATX PSU, but they went with a vertically mounted stubby mATX...why be *that* cheap?

 

[jagr10]

Thanks for clearing this up guys. Ok, maybe it wasn't a dumb question. I guess the only way to learn is to ask. On one hand I was pretty sure if it was ATX then it would fit all ATX cases, but then when i'd look at the pictures of some of these dual fan power supplies, they looked alot bigger. So it got me thinking.

 

[Cerb]

I agree some do look bigger based on pics, but except for a few being a bit deeper than some cheap ones, they tend to be the exact same size. Now you just need to start a thread about which PSU to buy

edit: spelling

 

[Jhhnn]

The atx spec calls for psu's to be a certain size, check it out at www.formfactors.org, a very useful technical resource. Some manufacturers cheat by adding fans to the outside of the basic box, usually on the end closest to the front of the case.

You can have issues with dual fan psu's and some cases. One of the LianLi's, for example, has a support shelf under the psu, not good with dual fan models, and some of the cases with side-saddle mounted psu's can put what would normally be he bottom fan against the outside of the case..

So you still have to pay attention to details, it's the nature of the pc specs themselves, with a certain amount of grey area allowed.