Question Should I route cables in the PSU compartment ?

[advancedthreatdefense4]

I have literally no place to put HD audio and certain other cables, and I can't seem to fit the PSU in there, so are you even meant to put the cables there? I seriously can't improvise in this tiny MicroATX case. I'm also having trouble putting my PSU in there in the first place.



Case: Fractal Design Pop Mini Air (PSU Max Length: 150mm, PSU Height: 86mm)

PSU: MSI MAG A750GL (PSU Length: 150mm, PSU Height: 86mm)

 

[dwd999]

You would normally use an SFX size power supply in a case like that.

 

[advancedthreatdefense4]

You would normally use an SFX size power supply in a case like that.

The case said it fit ATX PSUs, MicroATX case and ATX PSU is a requirement for me (long story, I know it sounds outrageous), so unfortunately I can't really do anything.

 

[dwd999]

The case said it fit ATX PSUs, MicroATX case and ATX PSU is a requirement for me (long story, I know it sounds outrageous), so unfortunately I can't really do anything.

ATX only refers to the size of the back of the power supply where it attaches to the case. There are all sort of depths in terms of how far the psu goes into the case, some are shorter than the others in that regard.

 

[advancedthreatdefense4]

ATX only refers to the size of the back of the power supply where it attaches to the case. There are all sort of depths in terms of how far the psu goes into the case, some are shorter than the others in that regard.

Well my PSU is the max size it can possibly be and still conform to ATX spec, and the case says it can hold exactly that much, so I know it can fit in there, but I have no idea how to actually shove it in there, do I really need the extra space?

 

[dwd999]

Well my PSU is the max size it can possibly be and still conform to ATX spec, and the case says it can hold exactly that much, so I know it can fit in there, but I have no idea how to actually shove it in there, do I really need the extra space?

The size in the spec is what would normally be the width from side to side. How far it goes into the case is what we would normally call the depth. Some power supplies are shorter, like the Corsair CX versions which protrude into the case about a half inch less than most "normal" size power supplies, so you have a little extra room inside.

 

[advancedthreatdefense4]

The size in the spec is what would normally be the width from side to side. How far it goes into the case is what we would normally call the depth. Some power supplies are shorter, like the Corsair CX versions which protrude into the case about a half inch less than most "normal" size power supplies, so you have a little extra room inside.

I can't switch PSU, as this PSU is impossible to take out the EPS connector from the CPU end without external tools, I tried taking it out but my motherboard has a giant heatsink blocking it

There's this tab blocking the PSU from going in, that's the only thing blocking it, is it possible to remove the plate that has that tab?

 

[dwd999]

Do you mean the plate that's supposed to hold any 2.5" drives that you may be using as shown on page 16 of the manual? If you don't need it for drives you could probably remove it without affecting the air flow through that part of the case.

 

[RAIDGoblin]

There's this tab blocking the PSU from going in, that's the only thing blocking it, is it possible to remove the plate that has that tab?

you would usually use a smaller form factor PSU, I'm assuming you already have your PSU from another build or as seconds from a friend or something, but whatever your reason, fractal design lists this case as ATX compatible, that should mean a full size PSU, while not being ideal and probably not tidy looking, should fit

specs here: https://www.fractal-design.com/products/cases/pop/pop-mini-air/rgb-black-tg-clear/

if you don't need the drive cover, they do show in the exsploded view that this cover can be removed:

^you can see it shown as separate on the right hand side just below and to the left of the main side panel, it is probably removed by undoing the thumb screw on the right of your picture

you might also be able to fit it back again once the PSU is in position

edit: here's the PC part picker page on builds using this case:
https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/builds/#e=3500&page=2

plenty of them have full size ATX PSU's in them so it can be done, it might be worth your time to look through build pics from here and see if anyone has posted pictures from behind the panel to get ideas on layout etc...

edit2: this one has a photo from behind the panel and an ATX PSU, might help:
https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/b/jfW323