Mini ATX Case Issues

farand

Member
Apr 18, 2001
169
0
0
I'm helping my friend build a semi-mini atx computer and I had some questions I'm hoping some of you can help us with. First off, the case isn't quite a mini-atx case. It's like a really small tower, but it fits a normal atx motherboard, but it uses a mini atx power supply. He wants to use this case because it also has a built in lcd screen and keyboard (he's planning on using this to record people).
So the problem is that the case only has a 140 watt power supply. Would that be able to support a p4 3.0c? It would also have to run the monitor, along with all of the other components. I was thinking of putting in a new power supply, but I took a look, and the power supply is an L shape. The face on the outside of the case is the size of a mini atx power supply, but inside the case, it gets shorter because the psu sits above the cpu. I looked a bit and I couldn't find a power supply that was shaped like this one. He could get a mini atx case, but that would cost alot more and wouldn't have a built in screen/keyboard.
So if anyone has any answers/solutions, that'd be great. thanks
 

Injury

Lifer
Jul 19, 2004
13,066
2
81
Well, that would definately be an underpowered case.

A good solution would be to find an alternate place to mount the PSU in the case and just extend the plug to some place on the back.

Aside from that, I wouldn't put a PSU on top of of any modern CPU because possibly putting that much heat on it is insane.

If he/you can afford a different case, I think you should get that, and see if you can mount the things from the current case in there.
 

Zepper

Elite Member
May 1, 2001
18,998
0
0
You can get smaller PSUs at up to 270W or more. What are the dimensions of the PSU that's in there? From the sound of it, a couple of good pix of the PSU and the cases w/o the psu installed would be helpful - include a ruler in the picture for size comparison.
.bh.