[SOLVED] Motherboard case fitment

[Snow205]

Hi all iam new to all this I have a old pc case called E box with a Asrock ata 133 motherboard I want to upgrade it to poss run a Intel i5 i7 processors does anyone know what motherboards would fit this case iam on a budget many thanks

 

[Darkbreeze]

What is the ACTUAL model of the motherboard that it has in it now? ATA 133 is NOT a model. The model should be printed down the center or along the top edge of the motherboard somewhere.

Likely, this is an outdated form factor or one that is proprietary, but let's make sure before I tell you this is not something that is doable.

 

[Snow205]

What is the ACTUAL model of the motherboard that it has in it now? ATA 133 is NOT a model. The model should be printed down the center or along the top edge of the motherboard somewhere.

Likely, this is an outdated form factor or one that is proprietary, but let's make sure before I tell you this is not something that is doable.

Hi thanks for replying the motherboard is a Asrock k7s41gx if that helps thanks

 

[Darkbreeze]

Actually, that is a microATX motherboard, SO, you might be in business.

Let's get a little more information. Do you have an actual model number for the "E box" or can you perhaps post a couple of pictures of the case on the front, side, back and maybe one pic of the inside with the side panel off?

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[Snow205]

Hi can't find any part number on the e box case but looking at trying to post pics on looks to much for me to do not much good at this is there any other way if not just have to chance atx motherboard cheers

 

[Darkbreeze]

Yes, it is probably that you can install any micro ATX motherboard in that case since the existing one is micro ATX.

That will however mean you are going to need a new motherboard, CPU and memory, and possibly a graphics card depending on what CPU you choose and what your intentions are for this system. It's also possible that you'll need a new power supply as well since that motherboard has only a 20 pin ATX connector and modern motherboards use a 24 pin connector. Given the age of that system, there is absolutely no way I'd trust any power supply it has in it anyhow. That would be a good way to destroy a bunch of new hardware.

This means you'll need to look at the label on the side of the power supply and see if you can find the model of the power supply so we can determine if we can even put a standard form factor power supply in there. Often these kinds of systems, or anything OEM from manufacturers like Dell, HP, Compaq, Emachines, Gateway, etc., used proprietary or non-standard form factor power supplies that can't simply be easily replaced with a standard form factor microATX, ATX or TFX power supply. Knowing the model of the PSU would help to determine it's form factor.

Can you at least tell me if this is an upright tower style case or a lay flat desktop type?

 

[Snow205]

Hi I have tried to send pics through your reply if you can see them the tower is an upright one and the psu is fsp group Inc, model no fsp250-80pna,ac input 6/3a.80/50 Hz output 250w hope it helps thanks

 

[Darkbreeze]

I have no idea what you mean by "send pics through your reply". There is no way to "send" pics on the Tom's hardware forum. You MUST upload them to a hosting site like imgur.com and then link to them here using the link to the hosted image from the hosting site.

That PSU however seems to be a Flex ATX form factor and is (Probably incorrectly) rated for 250w. It's so old, that may not even be accurate but the form factor is likely the same.

What is your intention for the usage of this machine? Is this something you are trying to turn into a gaming machine or just something for running light applications and browsing the internet?

 

[Snow205]

Hi trying to turn it into a gaming pc for my lad I thought this case would be ideal as it's big and would be good for cooling. He's has got a i7 4790s 16g ram ddr3 graphics card gtx 1050 ti 4gb just thought I'd make him a better one for Xmas and get parts over the coming months thanks

 

[Darkbreeze]

Unfortunately it's not going to be a good choice because that case apparently supports only the Flext ATX form factor, and it is very unlikely it would house a standard ATX power supply. Flex ATX power supplies are not commonly available in higher capacities able to support that GTX 1050 ti or higher tiered models AND the ones that are available in high enough capacities are very expensive in Flex ATX designs. Especially right now.

You could probably buy a suitable power supply (Or use what you have in another system, if it's any good) and a case, for less than a Flex ATX power supply that has enough capacity and is decent quality.

My advice would be to simply try and get something like this to build it in. Your case is simply not compatible unless you are willing to spend a lot of money and time to make it so or perform some serious and in depth modifications that likely are outside the scope of most people's ability to handle.

PCPartPicker Part List

Case: Fractal Design Focus G ATX Mid Tower Case (£52.47 @ Scan.co.uk)
Total: £52.47
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2020-06-08 20:58 BST+0100

Obviously, you would still need a power supply as well, unless you have one that is ATX.

 

[Snow205]

Thanks for the advice so can't any power supply fit to atx motherboard was looking at corsair cx550 or has it got to be flex type thanks

So summary if I was going to keep my case a atx motherboard will fit or a micro atx but issue with power supply unless I try and make one fit. Do I need to find a atx power supply only or any will fit. Other option is to buy a motherboard that fits a new case. Thanks

 

[Darkbreeze]

The any ATX or microATX motherboard should fit any modern mid tower or microATX case.

What parts do you actually have now and what parts are you actually wanting to get rid of? Is the 4790s already in another, functional, system, and you're just wanting to put all that in a new house, or what exactly? I just don't really understand why you are wanting to mess with 20 year old hardware if you have a six year old functional platform.

 

[Snow205]

Hi wanting to make a newer system but on a budget I have had the case fo 20 years thought I could use it just the case to save a bit of money looking at a later processor 6 or 7th gen. The only part that Iam goint to take from other system is hard drive when it's ready that's it really thought it would be a good idea.

 

[Darkbreeze]

Unfortunately, the problem with the form factor of the power supply is something that pretty much is a deal breaker unless you are building a very low powered system that can get by with a 250-300w unit. That is not advisable for any machine that is going to be equipped with a GTX 1050 ti or higher tiered card.

 

[Snow205]

Thank you for all the advise will buy atx motherboard and power supply that suits and will see if it fits in my case if not will buy new case thanks ps what kind of Watts power supply needed.

 

[Darkbreeze]

I would look at GOOD 450w models if the GTX 1050 ti or an equivalent is the biggest card that it's going to ever run. If you think you might install an even higher tiered, more capable card at some point down the road, then it probably makes a lot of sense to just get a good 550w unit from the start so it doesn't have to be replaced in six months or a year when you replace the graphics card with a newer, more powerful model.

When it comes to power supplies, the model is the important factor. Watts don't mean anything if the unit is a POS, and there are PLENTY OF POS units sold by companies that are well thought of like EVGA, Thermaltake, Cooler Master, Antec, Rosewill and other big names. Even Corsair has some real turds. In fact, most of the well known brands have BOTH good and poor quality models.

Also, right now is a VERY BAD time to try and buy a motherboard, graphics card or power supply because most US, UK, Canadian, Australian and EU retailers have not seen much if anything in the way of replenishment of inventory over the last two months or so, so people stuck at home have mostly ran them out of hardware building or upgrading systems while locked down with Coronavirus restrictions, and no new hardware coming in from China which is where the majority of electronics and mostly all computer hardware aside from monitor panels, memory and CPUs comes from.

So it might be tough finding a decent unit and certainly unlikely to find one at a reasonable price, right now. I think we might start seeing inventory getting replenished somewhat starting in the next week to two weeks.

Until then, this might help with making a decision on what power supply to go with.

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[Snow205]

Hi many thanks for all your help.

 

[Darkbreeze]

For sure man. My pleasure. Anytime.