DUMB QUESTION: Can you "squeeze" an ATX board into a micro ATX case?

[verytasty]

Well can you? And "forefit" 3 pci slots?

 

[Windogg]

Nope, physically impossible to mut a standard ATX into a microATX case.

Windogg

 

[JHeiderman]

You could do what I did.. check out www.linkpca.com and check out this case . I just picked up the one with the blue bezel because it fits a standard ATX motherboard but the physical size of the case isn't too big.

I did have some problems with the pci slots lining up correctly though. It seemed like the AGP and the first few PCI were fine but the rest kind of seemed a little off. The 300watt power supply in it will also run a Duron 800 without any problems. Check it out.
They have a couple small cases there. Also, they are located here on the east cost so shipping was very reasonable for me. If you are further west it may not be the good deal it was for me.

I think you already knew the answer to your question so I figured I'd offer you a viable alternative if you already have the full size motherboard

- J

 

[Booster]

<< Can you "squeeze" an ATX board into a micro ATX case? >>



There 2 answers to this question: never and no way. Really, why would you want to do it? There's a bunch of mATX boards sold with each and every chipset if you want a compact system, and if you already have the case you may just get a new mATX board. If you have the board already, you can easily find a cheap ATX case. ATX cases are more universal as you can use both ATX and mATX boards with them.

 

[Mojonba]

<< Well can you? And "forefit" 3 pci slots? >>



Impossible. The only way is hacksawing the last pci slots and you would be cutting thousands of electrical traces and you may get the southbridge and other important chips on the way. That way it will fit but it won't work. You'll short the hell out of it.

 

[verytasty]

Well guys here is my reasonsing. My mission is to build the smallest possible computer but there are of course several features I have to have, which include:
-on board lan, sound, and firewire
-can be either socket 478 or socket A
-must have agp slot

In my searches, it seems like the only boards that meet these specs is ATX.. there are several microATX boards that meet most requirements but not all. But when I look at ATX cases I'm discouraged because they just seem so damn big.. I want something as compact as possible, but I guess it is looking bleaker and bleaker.

 

[Windogg]

Lots of Intel socket 478 boards meet the requirement. The system I am on now is mATX, AC97 (I don't use it), LAN, and has an AGP slot. No firewire though.

If you want small, look at the Shuttle SV25 P4 System.

Windogg

 

[verytasty]

That's the problem Windogg. I really need to have all of those options, there just isn't a micro ATX board that has everything. Usually the firewire is left off, or in the instance of the shuttle boards, there's built in video and no AGP slot..

 

[FelixDeCat]

I wouldnt try it.

 

[Windogg]

I remember Gigabyte has a series called the G-MAX. Not as compact or nice looking as the Shuttle but I remember one of them had an AGP slot plus IEEE1394.

There was an old S423 Asus that also fit the requirements.

Windogg

EDIT: It's called the G-MAX MA8DM but I can only find it for sale in Japan

 

[verytasty]

Windogg: Can you PM me the link to where you found it for sale? thanks.

 

[Windogg]

The MA8DM used the Gigabyte GA-8IRML mobo -> Gigabyte's Spec Sheet

The barebones case includes a 16X DVD-ROM, 3.5" floppy, one front USB, one front IEEE1394, and one front PC Card slot. The overall system also provides a 4x AGP slot, 3 x PCI, and 2 DDR-SDRAM DIMM slots. Also included are AC97 audio and 10/100 Intel ethernet. It is all based on the Intel i845D chipset. Gigabyte Japan Site Specs

Not Cheap Though If Getting It From Japan

Another place

Third Place

Fourth Place

NewEgg has some older models but I'm sure they'll get this one in a few weeks. Try emailing them, they seem to be good about customer suggestions.

Hope this helps

Windogg