Re-using old PC case from Intel Pentium 3 era (Is this Ok?)

[cbn]

I have an old computer that ran Windows Millenium and had a Intel Pentium III 633 Mhz (I think)

On the back of the case there are 7 expansion slots.

Would this case work for a modern ECS Core 2 duo ATX mobo?

I am planning on swapping a newer Power supply but re-using the case itself.

I am guessing this computer was made around the year 2000 or slightly earlier.

Did anything change since then that I should be worried about?

Incidentally the case looks quite small next to my antec midtower but judging by the number of expansion slots on the back I am assuming it is still ATX (not micro ATX)

 

[Pegun]

It comes down to design and heat mainly. Stock cases from that far back weren't really meant to handle the heat that new processors put out, so I'd take caution in that area. Otherwise, as long as things fit, you probably won't have much problem getting it to run.

 

[WaitingForNehalem]

Why don't you buy a $25 case off newegg? Do you really want your new parts in a 90's case?

 

[WoodButcher]

These are the mods I enjoy, I have a case, MATX originally a win98 P3, put my quad in it for a while then built a system for my son in it as he liked the case so much. As pegun said heat is the worry. A little hack here and butch there, no problems!

 

[cbn]

Just wondering what are the chances the 1999 power supply would work with a Core 2 duo motherboard? Did those old power supplies lack certain connections needed for modern equipment today?

I hear you guys on the heat.....this case has no fans other than the 80mm one used by the PSU. However, this build-up I am thinking of is essentially using "junk parts" (ECS mobo from a fry's combo deal, celeron 326, 2004 Video card, used 80 GB hardrive from my current computer)

 

[someone16]

The heat part should be fine as it looks like you'll be using low-power parts. For the PSU you have to look at the ratings on the rails. It's also probably missing a 24pin mobo connector, sata connectors, and maybe a 4pin ATX +12V connector.

 

[JEFF68005]

You really should look for ways to ventilate the case. I have a few of the really tall cases that would hold anything you could dream to attach to the MB. They make nice ovens too! WEG!
One way to do it is pop open any spot in the case that is not taken up by a DVD drive, etc or PCI slot. There are cheap fans that will fill in the empty PCI slots as well as some for the front slots. I get all excited when my system tops 40C which is not hard to do. I do know some guys who average 45C to 55C. Based on many posts on many boards, I run a cool ship Heat makes many CPUs slow down to avoid killing the CPU. Other components go south with too much heat too.

Some of the old cases and power supplies are AT instead of ATX or later. Those AT cases/power supplies could cause you some fret. The connections are different in many AT cases. IF you buy a new power supply, count the 4 pin power connectors as part of your decision which to buy. I have had many problems solved by solid power connections. That means avoid the spitters if at all possible. Given two possible purchases of equal power, I would spend more for the unit that has more connectors and does not need splitters. I upgrade all the power supplies in older cases because they is the muscle that makes all the muscle work. Older units were 200-300 watt units. I now run 450watts minimum and for my latest rebuild, I may muscle in a 600+ watt unit for a 13 fan 5-6 year old case which is newer that you describe.

Get something like speedfan to monitor your system unless your board supplies you something to keep you informed.

Best of luck. You'll find tinkering with your new build will be akin to tinkerng with the 54 chevy when I was a kid.

 

[scruffypup]

To be real honest,... it all depends on the case you have and all the components you want to put into it,....based on what it looks like you are doing you should be fine

Most likely you have one case fan spot and it is 80mm fan,... you might want to open that up to 120 mm if you have space,... you can create intake vents at the bottom front of a lot of cases fairly easily,... however it may be tougher to get a decent filter on those if you worry about dust,.... also to make the cuts look good is going to be another story as well,....

Old cases can be useful and fun for modding,... saving a little money too

Old power supplies from that far back,... don't bother touching, they don't have all the connections (you would have to buy adapters) and they most likely lost some power (and were lower output to begin with),.... spend a little money here (even a cheap psu is better than an 8 year old one generally in this aspect)

cheap 120mm fan <10
cheap psu <35

Though if you find you want a new case, psu and better cooling cheap,.. here is one example,... often you can find a bit better
$65 shipped
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811147031

 

[SparkyJJO]

Originally posted by: scruffypup
Though if you find you want a new case, psu and better cooling cheap,.. here is one example,... often you can find a bit better
$65 shipped
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811147031

I wouldn't trust that PSU in that case.

 

[cbn]

I just stripped the case tonight. (The PSU is going to the electronic waste recycler because it only has a 20 pin power connector)

But looking at the wiring for the actual case itself I am seeing the following:

tiny 3-pin connector labeled "power led"
tiny 2-pin connector labeled "power sw"
tiny 2-pin connector labeled "h.d.d. led"
tiny 2-pin connector labeled "reset sw"

Are these compatible with a modern core 2 duo motherboard? http://www.newegg.com/product/...x?Item=N82E16813135044

Also I notice there is a 3-pin molex female connector coming off a very small case fan. Will this be a problem with my motherboard or new psu?

 

[cbn]

http://www.xsfan.com/chassis-c...-2wire-4pin-p-204.html

My case also has a speaker with this exact same two-wire 4-pin connection. Will this also hook up with a new mobo or is this something no longer used?

 

[Bl0cks]

For the 3 pin power led, you might have to break it in 2. Everything else should be fine when connecting them to the new mobo by following the chart in the manual. As far as the speaker goes, if your mobo has a connection for it, then you can use it.