XPS Case questions =) please help if you know

[BeLikeMiKe716]

hi
so basically I am looking into building a new system for myself in the near future. I have always liked how Dell cases looked. Well actually only two of them, my first real computer was a Dell . But now i build it myself because Dell is ****** with customer support; i had problems with my old system and they couldnt figure it out so they ended up just putting me on hold and the phone hangs up. I am thinking that after a while if they cant figure it out that they hang up or disconnect because i've seen it happen so many times... great customer support my ass...

ANYways, I have grown to really like the functionality and design and aesthetics of the new Dell XPS 600 cases.

My question: if i bought only the case; i heard that only dell parts would fit in? such as motherboard. I wanted to just by the case and build my computer from scratch... is this still true that i would probably not be able to put in custom parts in the case? i think the most important things to worry about right now is fitting the motherboard and power supply.

What would you recommend me doing?

thanks for your inputs... =)

 

[boyRacer]

Text

Yep it uses a propriety motherboard. It's $100 on ebay so if you want to make an ATX motherboard fit you could probably mod it. The PSU at the bottom probably won't work either so more modding for you.

 

[ND40oz]

I'd try to get the case with a psu, alot of the dell cases use propriatary shaped psu's. The might look ATX, but mounting points and screw holes are in different non-standard places. The dell psu should be able to handle anything you throw at it, considering the use it with their sli 7800 gtx 512 setups.

As for the motherboard, you'll have to splice and make connectors for the front panel, it's a one connector piece that only fits their motherboards. The other thing you need to be careful of is how the motherboard actually mounts in the case. I haven't worked on any of the XPS 600s yet, so I don't know how the did the mounting for it. Sometimes they come on slide out trays, other times they screwed directly down on standoffs.

 

[Extelleron]

Your best option IMO is to just get a good case like the Antec P180 - Dell cases may look good, but thats where the goodness ends.

 

[RallyMaster]

I agree with Extelleron. The P180's build is superb just like almost all of Antec's cases. I suggest you not get the XPS case due to the proprietary mounting situation (heck, not even eMachines come with proper mATX mounting).

 

[BeLikeMiKe716]

is it really that hard to just mod the case to make it able to fit regular atx mobos?... i have access to drills and such because my school has engineering facilites. Won't i only have to drill some holes into the mobo mounting place to be able to mount it?... or maybe i can take my lian li case and kind of fuse em together...

 

[RallyMaster]

Depends on how Dell does the cooling. If that green duct is permanent, then it might not fit.

 

[BeLikeMiKe716]

i would greatly appreciate it if someone was able to take pics of the inside and outside in detail and post them so i can exactly see what i should do... thanks..

any other advice?... i really am close to starting to build a computer and want to buy the case first but all the cases im seeing are so damn ugly... the dell xps 600 is the only one i like... haha