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*OT* Can I put an atx mobo in an at case?

Wolfsraider

Wolfsraider

Diamond Member
A friend wants me to put together a cheap computer.

1.4 amd not sure of the mobo yet though.

i don't want to spend anything on the xcase If I don't have to. (he isn't working and can't afford to pay me, all this is my stuff I am giving him.) I have an AT case the 1.4 and mobo, ram, cheap PCI video card and 10/100 card. Its only for surfing the web and email.

Also it has a 200 watt psu. Can I use that as well?

Mike
 
Can't use the AT power supply, you may have to drill different holes for the ATX power supply mounts.

And unless you have templates you can swap out for the keyboard, mouse, etc. ports in the back, you will have to mod the case to allow the ATX format for those ports.

(First PC I built I modded an AT case to fit an ABIT BH6 with a Cely 300A @ 450mhz 🙂 )

These days, you can get an ATX case with power supply about as cheap as buying a power supply by itself.

Unless you like to mod things, I'd recommend spending a little more and get an ATX case.



 
Originally posted by: RaySun2Be
Can't use the AT power supply, you may have to drill different holes for the ATX power supply mounts.

And unless you have templates you can swap out for the keyboard, mouse, etc. ports in the back, you will have to mod the case to allow the ATX format for those ports.

(First PC I built I modded an AT case to fit an ABIT BH6 with a Cely 300A @ 450mhz 🙂 )

These days, you can get an ATX case with power supply about as cheap as buying a power supply by itself.

Unless you like to mod things, I'd recommend spending a little more and get an ATX case.
Click to expand...

I know I can opick up a case locally with a 400 watt psu for 30

I was just hoping I could get this to work.

I can get a psu for 6.00 used as well So I may try that eroute.

I am trying to get it built this week lol no money till next week except necessities.
 
An AT power supply can be moded to work, but it's more trouble than it's worth IMO. So if you can get a cheap ATX PS I'd say go that route. I've found 4 different ATX cases with power supplies put out in the trash over the past 6 months so maybe your freind can go dumpster diving, lol.

Otherwise I bought a 4 shelf plastic shelf thingy at Wal-mart for about $8. Each shelf is 14" x 22". The unit is 48" tall. Then I just used each shelf for a 'PC'. This is my FaD crunching farm, lol.

For just one PC you can remove 2 of the four shelves and cut the plastic frame pipes to whatever height you want. Then mount the mobo to one end of the shelf using mobo/case mount lugs (or just screw the mounts on the mobo and let it sit on the shelf). I have the CD drive sitting next to the mobo, the hdd laying on top of it and the powersupply sitting next to all that. None of these are fastened down.

I put a jumper wire across the power pins on a mobo -- and turn the 'PC' on and off with my fingers by just holding the two wires together. I planned to use a 99 cent door bell button for this but didn't get around to it. Might be a good idea for a newb.

No cooling fans needed (except for cpu and ps) since all the heat just goes up in the air -- that being the main reason I built the farm this way.

Not for everybody but it's super cheap. As for durability I've been running these PCs in a hot Florida garage all summer -- no problem.

If the 'PC' needs to be more portable or kid proof you can put the components in a 20" x 15" plastic tub, or whatever kind of box you like.

I guess the point is: No case needed to build a PC.
 
Originally posted by: emjem
An AT power supply can be moded to work, but it's more trouble than it's worth IMO. So if you can get a cheap ATX PS I'd say go that route. I've found 4 different ATX cases with power supplies put out in the trash over the past 6 months so maybe your freind can go dumpster diving, lol.

Otherwise I bought a 4 shelf plastic shelf thingy at Wal-mart for about $8. Each shelf is 14" x 22". The unit is 48" tall. Then I just used each shelf for a 'PC'. This is my FaD crunching farm, lol.

For just one PC you can remove 2 of the four shelves and cut the plastic frame pipes to whatever height you want. Then mount the mobo to one end of the shelf using mobo/case mount lugs (or just screw the mounts on the mobo and let it sit on the shelf). I have the CD drive sitting next to the mobo, the hdd laying on top of it and the powersupply sitting next to all that. None of these are fastened down.

I put a jumper wire across the power pins on a mobo -- and turn the 'PC' on and off with my fingers by just holding the two wires together. I planned to use a 99 cent door bell button for this but didn't get around to it. Might be a good idea for a newb.

No cooling fans needed (except for cpu and ps) since all the heat just goes up in the air -- that being the main reason I built the farm this way.

Not for everybody but it's super cheap. As for durability I've been running these PCs in a hot Florida garage all summer -- no problem.

If the 'PC' needs to be more portable or kid proof you can put the components in a 20" x 15" plastic tub, or whatever kind of box you like.

I guess the point is: No case needed to build a PC.
Click to expand...

Wow nice idea. I hadn't thought of a caseless rack. Might go that route If i can't get the case.

I am definately going to put a rack in the dining room if all goes well,

Thanks Mate
Mike
 
I like the shelf rack thing because it's so easy to work on the hardware. Switching out parts is a snap. But not good if there are little kids around.
 
I have a 1ghz Tbird/motherboard just sitting on my wood workbench at home, crunching away. Right now it's running the SETI on Floppy linux but when I have time, I'll throw a HD on it and install either Winblows or a Linux distro and run the 3.03 Win version in WINE. 🙂

You had said it was for a friend, so I assumed he would want a case for it. 🙂

But yep, there are many ways to setup a DC cruncher farm, no cases needed. 🙂

A lot of times I'll benchtest a new setup before installing in a case, just to make sure everythings working before I do the case install. Saves time if there is a problem. 😀
 
I've also seen some very nice wood boxes fairly cheap at Big Lots from time to time that would make nice 'designer' cases. In particular the wicker type boxes that would look cool with LEDs while providing good heat escape.
 
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