E-ATX Cases Compatible with ATX PSU?

[GLX]

I've joined this forum because I need some help. Does anybody know if an ATX PSU can be used in an E-ATX case? Or would I need to buy a PSU specifically created for E-ATX cases? Not only that but could I buy an E-ATX case and use an ATX mobo with it? Or would something like the screw holes not line up correctly?

If you wan't me to be really specific could I buy the PC Power & Cooling TURBO-COOL 1KW PSU and use it in the Alienware MJ-12 case?

 

[Zepper]

I don't know of an EATX that can't take mobos from microATX up to EATX. I also don't think I've seen any that can't take standard ATX PSUs. They will often come with PSU adapter plates for handling smaller PSUs like a single ATX size up to dual ATX and redundant PSUs. Heck all that Alienware case can handle is ATX, long ATX (like some Zippys and PCP$Cs) and compact redundant.

I wouldn't buy it if I was building a server - heck it doesn't even have whells. I'd be getting something like this CG 101 or perhaps the Enermax CS-10182. No worries about fitting whatever the heck I want in there. But the Alienware does look like it would take the PSU you mentioned, though.

Is there some reason you really need that much PSU? Do you plan to run several systems off the one PSU at a time? Something like a Sparkle FSP550-60PLG, FSP550PLG-SLI or a Zippy 6 or 700 Watter could handle just about any system I've heard of with ease. Or is it just another ePeePee?

.bh.

 

[GLX]

Originally posted by: Zepper
I wouldn't buy it if I was building a server - heck it doesn't even have whells. I'd be getting something like this CG 101 or perhaps the Enermax CS-10182. No worries about fitting whatever the heck I want in there. But the Alienware does look like it would take the PSU you mentioned, though.

Is there some reason you really need that much PSU? Do you plan to run several systems off the one PSU at a time? Something like a Sparkle FSP550-60PLG, FSP550PLG-SLI or a Zippy 6 or 700 Watter could handle just about any system I've heard of with ease. Or is it just another ePeePee?

.bh.

lol. I'm not buying that MJ-12 Alienware that I linked to from Alienware. It's just that I love the case and have a chance to buy the case seperate from somebody that I know. I was going to build my next gaming rig with that case (even though it's meant for workstation's) and that PSU just happen's to be the one I wan't.

I don't know of an EATX that can't take mobos from microATX up to EATX.

Okay so I should *in theory* be safe with the ASUS A8N32-SLI Delux Motherboard in the MJ-12 case correct?

Or is it just another ePeePee?

Nah. Just thought if I was going to buy the best of one thing I would buy the best of all the other things.

 

[potato28]

Good God man. No need for 1 kilowatt of power! The max that you'll need is probly a 600 or 700 watt PSU.

 

[GLX]

Originally posted by: potato28
Good God man. No need for 1 kilowatt of power! The max that you'll need is probly a 600 or 700 watt PSU.

*Sigh*

I was hoping for more meaningful responses from the legendary Anandtech forum...

 

[Indyboy2]

A atx power supply will psycially fit into an desktop style e-atx case.Most server power supplies a 24pin main, 4 pin p4, and an 8 pin connector for extra power for dual cpu set ups.I have a antec titan case e-atx but a regular atx motherboard will fit, the eairler titan cases would not acommidate a atx board due to a brackett of something in the way but afaik this has been resolved.I am running a ocz powerstyream 600 watt psu with an h8dce workstation and my board uses all three connectors

 

[GLX]

Originally posted by: Indyboy2
A atx power supply will psycially fit into an desktop style e-atx case.Most server power supplies a 24pin main, 4 pin p4, and an 8 pin connector for extra power for dual cpu set ups.I have a antec titan case e-atx but a regular atx motherboard will fit, the eairler titan cases would not acommidate a atx board due to a brackett of something in the way but afaik this has been resolved.I am running a ocz powerstyream 600 watt psu with an h8dce workstation and my board uses all three connectors

Awesome.

I think I'll take my chances with the Alienware case. Hopefully everything fit's perfectly.

*crosses fingers*

 

[Indyboy2]

I think before i spent the money on the case i would make sure all the stand-offs for that case will line up,my tower has removeable stand-offs and the can be configured atx or e-atx but with this case being alienware specific maybe the standoffs are not removeable or are built into the case itself .Standoffs in wrong place = bad .Just e-mail them and ask see if they will tell you or look into these
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811133154
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811163035
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811124112

 

[GLX]

Originally posted by: Indyboy2Just e-mail them and ask see if they will tell you

Ask who? Alienware or the seller? Hell, if I asked Alienware they would probably just tell me to not worry about it and to just buy the damn thing.

Just for the hell of it I think I will e-mail Alienware just to see what kind of BS response I get. :laugh:

 

[sodcha0s]

Originally posted by: GLX

Originally posted by: potato28
Good God man. No need for 1 kilowatt of power! The max that you'll need is probly a 600 or 700 watt PSU.

*Sigh*

I was hoping for more meaningful responses from the legendary Anandtech forum...

I think what he was trying to say is you'll be wasting money on that power supply. You can find something a lot less expensive that would work just as well, and be a lot quieter than that 1Kw monster.

 

[GLX]

Originally posted by: sodcha0s

Originally posted by: GLX

Originally posted by: potato28
Good God man. No need for 1 kilowatt of power! The max that you'll need is probly a 600 or 700 watt PSU.

*Sigh*

I was hoping for more meaningful responses from the legendary Anandtech forum...

I think what he was trying to say is you'll be wasting money on that power supply. You can find something a lot less expensive that would work just as well, and be a lot quieter than that 1Kw monster.

lol. That's right. I never did think about the loudness of the PSU.

 

[Zepper]

That Alienware is an exclusive design, granted, but I doubt it's the best out there in any given specification. I'd also be skeptical about anyone parting out an Alienware machine.

Yup, there is a custom modular PSU with aircraft-type screw-lock connectors that would cost you nearly as much as the 1kW. Buy a nice Seasonic S12 series 600 Watter and spend the rest on something else.

It looks like the Asus you linked has standard mounting holes. Should be no problem with that case.

.bh.

 

[GLX]

Originally posted by: ZepperBuy a nice Seasonic S12 series 600 Watter and spend the rest on something else.

Just curious, but why are you recommending the Seasonic PSU's? You think those are the only one's that would properly attach to the Alienware case? I've never heard of Seasonic to be honest.

EDIT: Ah just found out that the included PSU for the MJ-12 case is an ATX 12V 2.0 PSU.

Also (and I quote Alienware's website), "the Alienware approved 650 watt power supply follows industry standards and specifications, it is easily removable and upgradeable. Should the power supply ever fail, replacement is a snap. And should you ever desire to upgrade your system's power supply - again, no problem; designed around industry standards to support future high-performance upgrades, Alienware approved 650 watt power supplies make it possible."

So to me it makes it sound like the case was designed to accept any ATX style PSU and not one of their own design.

 

[Zepper]

I recommend the Seasonic S12 series as they are very efficient (some tests have shown them to be nearly 90% efficient at some output levels), quiet and the price isn't too outrageous. There are others that would work just as well. I really like Zippys (I run a modified HP2-6460P myself) and their 600 or 700 W units are excellent too - just be sure to get the temp controlled fan which is optional in some series. Without that, they are for server-room duty only - quite loud.

re. "Not heard of Seasonic." The brand wasn't common here until recently. In the pantheon of PSUs, Zippy, Delta (their top line units like the one mentioned below) and PCP&C are considered top shelf (most of the PCP&C units contain major assemblies from Zippy, Seasonic or Channel Well). Some would put Seasonic up there too and perhaps Topower (OEMs the OCZ units and other well-known brands).

Yes, as I mentioned above that case appears to be limited to the ATX form factor power supply in both standard and longer lengths (like the Zippy 6 and 700s mentioned above which are nearly 9 inches deep). Most 600 W and up PSUs are at least somewhat deeper than the normal 5.5 inches. It is possible that the Delta workstation PSU I'm selling in the For Sale section could fit in there as well - it's about 4" tall (1/2" taller than ATX) so that a 92mm fan will fit on the back side. Click the link in my sig to read about it.

.bh.