Pretty easy question

[Turano]

Pretty simple question, I need to upgrade my power supply. The case I have is Micro ATX - 9.6 × 9.6 inches (24 × 24 cm). All I need to know is whether I can replace my current power supply with a standard ATX psu or do I have to get a micro-ATX psu?

 

[Rugger]

You can look at some standard ATX PSUs (Newegg lists the dimensions to make it easier for you), but you're probably going to need a micro ATX PSU. What case?

*Steam rising*
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BUNNY STEW FOR DINNER!!

 

[Crashman]

It's actually a complicated question as there are 4 standard sizes and several semi-standard sizes, plus proprietary sizes.

You gave us nothing to go on. Actually, you gave us less than nothing, because the case isn't 9.6" by 9.6", the board is.

And now I'm going to tell you something you're not going to belive. Then you're either going to insult me or take your questions elsewhere. But I'm going to tell you anyway!

There is no such thing as a Micro ATX power supply. OH, Newegg list them, but that's because Newegg doesn't classify them right. You see, Micro ATX is a motherboard size, a Micro ATX case is one sized just big enough to hold a Micro ATX board.

Micro ATX cases use several different power supply styles, depending on the manufacturer. The most common size is SFX. HP and Compaq often used PS/3, which is a shorter version of the full-sized PS/2 form factor ATX power supply. And Inwin often used that full sized power supply.

So here are the sizes commonly found in Micro ATX cases, from largest to smallest:
1.) PS/2 form factor, also known as Full Size ATX
2.) PS/3 form factor, often used by HP and Compaq a few years ago, but also used by others on occasion.
3.) SFX, the most common size usually used by eMachines and in most newer HP systems.
4.) TFX.

There are also variations. Gateway used full-sized internals, turned sideway, to make their large power supplies narrower, from around 1998 to 2001. Their SFX power supplies are also turned sideways, and other companies use the sideways SFX design.

Your best bet would probably be to LOOK AT THE PICTURES from a large site like Newegg, and order accordingly.

<font color=blue>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to a hero as big as Crashman!</font color=blue>
<font color=red>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to an ego as large as Crashman's!</font color=red>

 

[Turano]

It is a Gateway, built in 2003. The case is a Pinta Desktop Mid-Tower Case R2. The power supply is a cheapo 160 Watt Lite-On R0. It kinda struck me odd that they would put such a crappy power supply in this computer because it's not a bargain box or anything. It came with a Pentium 4 2.4ghz and a Radeon 9600 Pro. They don't provide any dimensions for the power supply so I may have to get it out and measure it.

<A HREF="http://support.gateway.com/s//CASES/3501411/3501411nv.shtml" target="_new"> Case Info </A>
<A HREF="http://support.gateway.com/s//POWER/6500684/6500684nv.shtml" target="_new"> Power Supply Info </A>

 

[Crashman]

Nope, I don't have any of those for comparison. And the pictures are all cropped to eliminate any reference to mounting holes, etc.

It looks like a standard size power supply, it might have alternative mounting holes or a brackets. If it measures out right, I'd buy a standard power supply and do any possible minor modifications needed to make it fit.

<font color=blue>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to a hero as big as Crashman!</font color=blue>
<font color=red>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to an ego as large as Crashman's!</font color=red>

 

[Turano]

Alright, thanks.

 

[Turano]

Since I'm looking into a new power supply, I'm wondering what some good brands are. I need something with at least 300W. What do you guys think about this?
<A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817148008" target="_new"> Aspire</A>

 

[Turano]

Anyone?

 

[Rugger]

In other words - not recommended.

*Steam rising*
|<font color=red>(\__/)</font color=red>|
|<font color=red>(='.'=)</font color=red>|
|<font color=red>(")_(")</font color=red>|
~~~~~
BUNNY STEW FOR DINNER!!

 

[Rugger]

<A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104954" target="_new">FSP 450W</A> Beefy rails, very open rear for good ventilation and good efficiency. You're Welcome!

*Steam rising*
|<font color=red>(\__/)</font color=red>|
|<font color=red>(='.'=)</font color=red>|
|<font color=red>(")_(")</font color=red>|
~~~~~
BUNNY STEW FOR DINNER!!

 

[Turano]

Thanks for the info. I went ahead and measured my old power supply, it is the standard 5.9" x 5.5" x 3.5". I have a about $85 to work with, and I need at least 300w, so I'm thinking something around 350 or 400w, more watts are always better though. I hear Antec is the best brand out there, what about Thermaltake? Anyone have any specific suggestions?

 

[Rugger]

At that price point i'd go with the u<A HREF="http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=270402" target="_new">Enermax 535W Whisper II model EG565P</A> for $88.49.

*Steam rising*
|<font color=red>(\__/)</font color=red>|
|<font color=red>(='.'=)</font color=red>|
|<font color=red>(")_(")</font color=red>|
~~~~~
BUNNY STEW FOR DINNER!!