[SOLVED] Case swap for prebuilt PC ?

[bryan0629]

so i have a pre build pc which is dell vostro 470 and i put a gtx 1650 on it. my concern is i want to change pc case with a gaming case.
but the problem is dell vostro 470 have a proprietary front panel and i cant't find a gaming case with a proprietary front panel.
is it possible for me to change the case?

 

[RAIDGoblin]

but the problem is dell vostro 470 have a proprietary front panel and i cant't find a gaming case with a proprietary front panel

I'm not quite sure what you mean by this? from the photographs I've looked up the front panel looks normal, USB ports, power switch, headphones, mic, 3.5" drive bay etc...

I'd be more concerned about checking that the motherboard is standard and not a size dell invented or it won't go into a different case, from the photo's it looks to be mATX but if I were you I'd measure it's size and hole position just to be safe

 

[geofelt]

OEM makers used to use proprietary motherboards, but now use standard motherboards.
It looks like yours is standard MATX,
Verify that the mounting holes can match up.

The motherboard will have a front panel header.
I think this is yours:
https://www.google.com/imgres?imgur...hUKEwju0cXH5unuAhVPMlMKHfL6BYcQMygtegUIARCsAQ

Any modern case will have individual leads from their front panel to connect to the motherboard header.

In the event that you have some requirements like a chip reader, buy a case with a 5.25 bay capability.
here is a reasonable case:
https://www.newegg.com/black-fractal-design-focus-g-atx-mid-tower/p/N82E16811352069

If you want a case that is very easy to work with, look at the cm HAF XB
https://www.newegg.com/black-cooler...VSvSzCh3S4QONEAYYASABEgKJ1PD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[bryan0629]

I'm not quite sure what you mean by this? from the photographs I've looked up the front panel looks normal, USB ports, power switch, headphones, mic, 3.5" drive bay etc...

I'd be more concerned about checking that the motherboard is standard and not a size dell invented or it won't go into a different case, from the photo's it looks to be mATX but if I were you I'd measure it's size and hole position just to be safe

thank you for your help. I search the motherboard and it's XPS 8500 0YJPT1 and i search that the problem is that dell motherboard connector is often proprietary.
i don't really know anything about pc that much hope you can help me and give me any case suggestions that can fit. i just want a case with rgb fan in front and glass side panel.

 

[RAIDGoblin]

I search the motherboard and it's XPS 8500 0YJPT1

Does it look exactly like this one: https://www.empowerlaptop.com/p/dell-cn-0yjpt1-motherboard-w1711/?currency=GBP ?

if you could post pictures it would help

 

[geofelt]

Front panel headers do not have a standard layout.
But, they all have pins to do the same thing.
Your pc may have a proprietary lead that connects their front panel to their header.
That is immaterial since cases will come with individual leads to connect up to their front panel.
Here is an example:
https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https://i.pinimg.com/originals/3e/8f/29/3e8f29654656fb51541dfb0be04857e7.png&imgrefurl=https://in.pinterest.com/pin/627196685584980369/&tbnid=HWHr0ZvhxBSoRM&vet=10CAcQxiAoCWoXChMI6PXci8fu7gIVAAAAAB0AAAAAEB4..i&docid=26WHq5z9c5ayZM&w=922&h=1020&itg=1&q=vostro 470 front panel header&client=firefox-b-1-d&ved=0CAcQxiAoCWoXChMI6PXci8fu7gIVAAAAAB0AAAAAEB4
On the photo posted above by RAIDgoblin, there is a header labeled f-panel.
It is the black one three headers up from the bottom left.
Not all front panel headers are essential to be connected.
Only the PWR is really necessary.
It is non polarized so which is + or -does not matter.
No harm will come if you plug it into the wrong pins; the motherboard will simply not start.

The led leads do make a difference as to which is + and -.
If the lead does not have + or - printed, the common color, usually white or black will be the ground, and the colored will be +
If you connect this wrong, no harm, you just will not see any HDD or power on led light up.
Just switch them.

The RST reset lead will connect to your case reset button, if you have one.
I find this to be a useless button. It is also non polarized.
You can get some amusing results if you make a mistake, like I did once, and connect the RST leads to a led header.

If you can't find a diagram for your header, you need to resort to trial and error.

 

[RAIDGoblin]

Thanks @geofelt 😉 that was basically exactly what I would have said next, I was just waiting for the OP to confirm what motherboard they have

@bryan0629 The case may well have a proprietary front-panel cable, but that only a problem if you want to put a different motherboard in the dell case, not you're plan anyways

The motherboard will still work with a standard case front panel that has separate connectors (if the motherboard I linked is the one you have), you'll just have to look at the pin-out to connect it up

the diagram geofelt linked is helpful, but since you say you're a beginner (and my PC is striped down on my bench right now so I can) here's a photo of my front-panel header so you can see what we're on about:

this is the kind of cable standard cases have, if the pins are in different places on the motherboard you just put the individual connectors in a different order, and if you're lucky (like on mine marked by the white arrow) the pin-out is printed on the motherboard right next to the pins

 

[RAIDGoblin]

i just want a case with rgb fan in front and glass side panel.

What sort of budget do you have, I'm sure I (and others) can come up with some recommendations

 

[Karadjgne]

Dell is often proprietary. The motherboard isn't. It'll have the standard pins, even if they are a different layout, they'll still contain pwr_on +/-, pwr_led +/- etc. The Only concern with the Dell is the plug/s itself, but those are discarded with the old case so are immaterial in consideration.

Swapping a Dell motherboard into aftermarket universal case is not nearly the problem that swapping an aftermarket universal motherboard into a Dell case can be.

You just need to put the right plugs on the right pins, it won't be a problem.

 

[bryan0629]

OEM makers used to use proprietary motherboards, but now use standard motherboards.
It looks like yours is standard MATX,
Verify that the mounting holes can match up.

The motherboard will have a front panel header.
I think this is yours:
https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https://cxf.preconditioninge612.fun/img/dell-motherboard-front-panel.png&imgrefurl=https://cxf.preconditioninge612.fun/dell-motherboard-front-panel.html&tbnid=xIBKY-vLtpvSsM&vet=12ahUKEwju0cXH5unuAhVPMlMKHfL6BYcQMygtegUIARCsAQ..i&docid=A5vEPDDDC-T9gM&w=317&h=414&itg=1&q=vostro 470 front panel header&client=firefox-b-1-d&ved=2ahUKEwju0cXH5unuAhVPMlMKHfL6BYcQMygtegUIARCsAQ

Any modern case will have individual leads from their front panel to connect to the motherboard header.

In the event that you have some requirements like a chip reader, buy a case with a 5.25 bay capability.
here is a reasonable case:
https://www.newegg.com/black-fractal-design-focus-g-atx-mid-tower/p/N82E16811352069

If you want a case that is very easy to work with, look at the cm HAF XB
https://www.newegg.com/black-cooler-master-haf-series-atx-desktop/p/N82E16811119265?item=N82E16811119265&source=region&nm_mc=knc-googleadwords-pc&cm_mmc=knc-googleadwords-pc-_-pla-_-cases+(computer+cases+-+atx+form)-_-N82E16811119265&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkfnI3ufp7gIVSvSzCh3S4QONEAYYASABEgKJ1PD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

thank you so much you guys are a big help.

 

[bryan0629]

Dell is often proprietary. The motherboard isn't. It'll have the standard pins, even if they are a different layout, they'll still contain pwr_on +/-, pwr_led +/- etc. The Only concern with the Dell is the plug/s itself, but those are discarded with the old case so are immaterial in consideration.

Swapping a Dell motherboard into aftermarket universal case is not nearly the problem that swapping an aftermarket universal motherboard into a Dell case can be.

You just need to put the right plugs on the right pins, it won't be a problem.

thank you so much

 

[bryan0629]

What sort of budget do you have, I'm sure I (and others) can come up with some recommendations

like around 120$ CAD

 

[bryan0629]

so

Thanks @geofelt 😉 that was basically exactly what I would have said next, I was just waiting for the OP to confirm what motherboard they have

@bryan0629 The case may well have a proprietary front-panel cable, but that only a problem if you want to put a different motherboard in the dell case, not you're plan anyways

The motherboard will still work with a standard case front panel that has separate connectors (if the motherboard I linked is the one you have), you'll just have to look at the pin-out to connect it up

the diagram geofelt linked is helpful, but since you say you're a beginner (and my PC is striped down on my bench right now so I can) here's a photo of my front-panel header so you can see what we're on about:

this is the kind of cable standard cases have, if the pins are in different places on the motherboard you just put the individual connectors in a different order, and if you're lucky (like on mine marked by the white arrow) the pin-out is printed on the motherboard right next to the pins

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDgjo9vjgqs

can you check this video please cause i don't really understand it because someone told me that It is mATX, but the front panel connector is a little different. he knows this from personal experience because he tried to install an XPS 8500 in a Cooler Master N200 chassis and the HD and Power LEDs are in the usual place, but the power switch straddles the pin rows, seating on the pins immediately adjacent those of the LEDs.

 

[Karadjgne]

The front panel connectors on an aftermarket case are not in a single connector like Dell or HP uses. They are in multiple connectors, there will be one for speaker, one for power on, one for hdd led etc. So they'll fit any motherboard. All you'll need to do is look at the printout on the motherboard and line up each connector +/- on the 2 pins it goes to. They'll be on the very bottom right corner for the panel switches and the audio should be the one under the gpu. The other 2 black connectors on the bottom should be USB2.0. All those are standard connections, not proprietary.

 

[bryan0629]

The front panel connectors on an aftermarket case are not in a single connector like Dell or HP uses. They are in multiple connectors, there will be one for speaker, one for power on, one for hdd led etc. So they'll fit any motherboard. All you'll need to do is look at the printout on the motherboard and line up each connector +/- on the 2 pins it goes to. They'll be on the very bottom right corner for the panel switches and the audio should be the one under the gpu. The other 2 black connectors on the bottom should be USB2.0. All those are standard connections, not proprietary.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDgjo9vjgqs

can you check this video please cause i don't really understand it because someone told me that It is mATX, but the front panel connector is a little different. he knows this from personal experience because he tried to install an XPS 8500 in a Cooler Master N200 chassis and the HD and Power LEDs are in the usual place, but the power switch straddles the pin rows, seating on the pins immediately adjacent those of the LEDs.

 

[RAIDGoblin]

@bryan0629 I'll have a look at the video for you later, when I'm not at work and at risk of my boss seeing 😳

but as Karadjgne said, separate panel connectors like in my photo means you should be able to connect it without a problem

 

[RAIDGoblin]

I watched the video, all the guy does is identify everything on the motherboard, he doesn't go into specifics about front panel connector

I found the pin-out anyway: https://pinoutguide.com/Motherboard/dwll_vostro_front_pinout.shtml if it's correct it'll help you

i hope you can help me and give me any case suggestions that can fit. i just want a case with rgb fan in front and glass side panel.

You can use any case that fits mATX (or ATX because full ATX cases also fit mATX), do you have any specific requirements like a DVD drive bay etc... ?

 

[bryan0629]

I watched the video, all the guy does is identify everything on the motherboard, he doesn't go into specifics about front panel connector

I found the pin-out anyway: https://pinoutguide.com/Motherboard/dwll_vostro_front_pinout.shtml if it's correct it'll help you



You can use any case that fits mATX (or ATX because full ATX cases also fit mATX), do you have any specific requirements like a DVD drive bay etc... ?

thank you so much.
I don't really need anything i just want to change the case and have some fun in front. can you give me any suggestions about the case? my budget is around 100$ CAD

 

[RAIDGoblin]

@bryan0629 Any ATX or micro ATX case will do, here's some I looked up, the first two are micro-ATX only and the others are ATX, the ATX ones will be larger but can take a full ATX (larger) motherboard so you would have more choice if you ever upgrade in the future. And not forgetting what I learned from my sleeper build in a old cramped case, bigger cases make for a much easier time - some will probably argue better airflow too

another thing to consider: you're motherboard doesn't have an RGB header so you'd need some form of RGB controller to run the front fans

micro ATX:

Cooler master MasterBox MB320L ARGB: https://www.pc-canada.com/item/MCB-B320L-KGNN-S02.html (this one doesn't include an RGB controller, it's beyond my knowledge to say what you would need to make cooler master ARGB work with your system but I'm sure it can be done relatively easily)

Fractal design Focus G mini: https://www.pc-canada.com/item/FD-CA-FOCUS-MINI-BK-W.html (front fans aren't RGB, they're just white LED - but you won't need an RGB controller, unless you changed the fans for RGB ones, this case also takes DVD drives)


ATX:
(none of the following are in-stock but I'm sure you could find them somewhere else without much difficulty)

Thermaltake H330: https://www.pc-canada.com/item/CA-1R8-00M1WN-00.html (only comes with the front fan and doesn't actually say what RGB compatibility that has)

Fractal design Focus G: comes in blue and red as well as black: https://www.pc-canada.com/item/FD-CA-FOCUS-BK-W.html (front fans aren't RGB, they're just white LED - but you won't need an RGB controller, unless you changed the fans for RGB ones, this case also takes DVD drives)

these last two are a bit on the pricey side but they come with an ARGB controller that I think is capable of driving the fans and LED strips without RGB on the motherboard (as I'm not an expert with RGB I would ask someone else here before choosing, to be sure), also I think they are cool:

MasterBox Lite 5 ARGB: https://www.pc-canada.com/item/MCW-L5S3-KGNN-05.html (airflow is probably poor because it doesn't have a fan space on the top and the front isn't mesh)

MasterBox MB500 ARGB Case: https://www.pc-canada.com/item/MCB-B500D-KGNN-S01.html

 

[bryan0629]

@bryan0629 Any ATX or micro ATX case will do, here's some I looked up, the first two are micro-ATX only and the others are ATX, the ATX ones will be larger but can take a full ATX (larger) motherboard so you would have more choice if you ever upgrade in the future. And not forgetting what I learned from my sleeper build in a old cramped case, bigger cases make for a much easier time - some will probably argue better airflow too

another thing to consider: you're motherboard doesn't have an RGB header so you'd need some form of RGB controller to run the front fans

micro ATX:

Cooler master MasterBox MB320L ARGB: https://www.pc-canada.com/item/MCB-B320L-KGNN-S02.html (this one doesn't include an RGB controller, it's beyond my knowledge to say what you would need to make cooler master ARGB work with your system but I'm sure it can be done relatively easily)

Fractal design Focus G mini: https://www.pc-canada.com/item/FD-CA-FOCUS-MINI-BK-W.html (front fans aren't RGB, they're just white LED - but you won't need an RGB controller, unless you changed the fans for RGB ones, this case also takes DVD drives)


ATX:
(none of the following are in-stock but I'm sure you could find them somewhere else without much difficulty)

Thermaltake H330: https://www.pc-canada.com/item/CA-1R8-00M1WN-00.html (only comes with the front fan and doesn't actually say what RGB compatibility that has)

Fractal design Focus G: comes in blue and red as well as black: https://www.pc-canada.com/item/FD-CA-FOCUS-BK-W.html (front fans aren't RGB, they're just white LED - but you won't need an RGB controller, unless you changed the fans for RGB ones, this case also takes DVD drives)

these last two are a bit on the pricey side but they come with an ARGB controller that I think is capable of driving the fans and LED strips without RGB on the motherboard (as I'm not an expert with RGB I would ask someone else here before choosing, to be sure), also I think they are cool:

MasterBox Lite 5 ARGB: https://www.pc-canada.com/item/MCW-L5S3-KGNN-05.html (airflow is probably poor because it doesn't have a fan space on the top and the front isn't mesh)

MasterBox MB500 ARGB Case: https://www.pc-canada.com/item/MCB-B500D-KGNN-S01.html

thank you so much. you are a big help. do i need to change my power supply? and what would you recommend best with the second and fourth case?

 

[RAIDGoblin]

thank you so much. you are a big help. do i need to change my power supply? and what would you recommend best with the second and fourth case?

NP

to replace the PSU (power supply) or not? well, that's up to you, it's generally accepted to be a good idea to change the PSU if you're doing a major upgrade or a new build, however since all you're doing is changing the case, you're keeping the system exactly the same (and it ran fine before) you will probably be OK keeping the old one for now, the one you'll have will likely be 300W or 350W, so if you get a different graphics card at any time in the future you'll have to replace it then

although I know many people on this forum would say you should definitely replace it, just because pre-built PC PSU's are generally poor quality

if you decide to change it, all the cases will take an ATX PSU

 

[bryan0629]

NP

to replace the PSU (power supply) or not? well, that's up to you, it's generally accepted to be a good idea to change the PSU if you're doing a major upgrade or a new build, however since all you're doing is changing the case, you're keeping the system exactly the same (and it ran fine before) you will probably be OK keeping the old one for now, the one you'll have will likely be 300W or 350W, so if you get a different graphics card at any time in the future you'll have to replace it then

although I know many people on this forum would say you should definitely replace it, just because pre-built PC PSU's are generally poor quality

if you decide to change it, all the cases will take an ATX PSU

thank you so much!

 

[RAIDGoblin]

what would you recommend best with the second and fourth case?

I just had a thought, if you mean the focus G cases, I don't think the side panel is glass, looking at the construction it's probably plastic, I forgot to say so I hope I haven't given you false information 🙁

 

[bryan0629]

I just had a thought, if you mean the focus G cases, I don't think the side panel is glass, looking at the construction it's probably plastic, I forgot to say so I hope I haven't given you false information 🙁

it's fine with me even if it's glass or plastic as long as i don't have any problems with the connectors it's fine with me.

 

[RAIDGoblin]

@bryan0629 that's OK then you shouldn't have any problems, the fans will be a standard 3 or 4 pin connector, if you don't have motherboard headers you can power them straight from the PSU using a molex to fan power adapter that should cost you no more that $2, the white LED lights will just work from the fan power and always be on

I found a full multi-page review of it here: https://www.techpowerup.com/review/fractal-design-focus-g/ if you're interested, the last page talks a little bit about the lighting, and if you ever get fed up with white, it wouldn't be difficult to add 2x 120mm RGB fans and an RGB controller