Reusing an old Gateway 6400 server case

[shadesofjay]

I was in the market to build a new machine and at the same time get rid of an old Gateway 6400. My main consideration is stablity and room for at least 4 hard drives. I was looking at lian-li cases, quad-core atx motherboards, and middle-of-the road video (I'm not an overclocker, multi-monitor support is as far as i go)

I began thinking (after not being able to sell the gateway on craigslist) that it's actually a pretty decent case. Plenty roomy, at least.

However, since I've never built my own (though I'm both pretty technical and generally handy), I'm not sure what I need to do to make sure I can reuse the case.

I found some pics to share of the case: http://support.gateway.com/s/S...500736/350073613.shtml

Can I reuse this case? Obviously the lian-li has some realy nice features screwless designs, fewer sharp edges, etc, but they're not cheap, nor are any of the generally plain looking, server-like cases I tend to gravite to.

I assume that I need to replace the power supply and fans and that these should be standard and easily replacable.

Anything else I need to check?

-Will an ATX MB fit?
-MB connection fo case lights - will this work?
-What parts do I need to order separately, e.g. cable ties, MB stand-offs, etc?
-Any options for adding more easily accessible (front or side) ports?
-Will the current standard i/o port plate fit?
-Any issue with graphics or other cards fitting?

Thanks for any thoughts.

 

[Zepper]

Hard to tell from only one pic of the ports. But I found a pic with a Web search and a standard ATX I/O shield won't fit w/o cutting. Looks like the mobo is a standard ATX layout other than that. Looks to be some small form factor PSU too - not std ATX size. Better a new case, IMO, as everything will be easier. Maybe something like the Antec NSK6580. Too bad it comes with a PSU as you may want something with more Power but the EA series used to be tough little PSUs - they recently changed their PSU OEM from Seasonic to Delta and the new EAxxxD series has no track record yet. Or the SOLO which doesn't come with a PSU. You can occasionally find cases w/o PSUs (which come with one when new) in Antec's B-stock store. InWin, Chenbro, Enlight, Chenming, Chieftec usually have simple cases with some modern features and don't forget Evercase (hard to find a reseller except Startech which bumps the price way up on 'em. Be sure to check other sites as the Egg isn't anywhere near as low priced as they used to be. I just saw the new Rosewill Conqueror as one of the daily deals - not too conservative but very flexible and low priced today.

.bh.

 

[imported_Kiwi]

Some of Gateway's cases have been very nice-looking, and seemed to invite some mods to make gamers' cases from them, however, and it's a big one, Gateway tends to use very proprietary power supplies. Not wired differently, but all crowded into oddly shaped PSUs. I ended up giving up on one of them, after expending a lot of effort to nibble out and dremel away at the i/o panel area, because I couldn't make a standard ATX power supply fit in.