Swap from regular to microATX

[Finn]

Hi everyone :)

 

As I'm kind of pressed for space, I want to swap to a horizontal case. The best one I could find is the Antec NSK2480.

 

I understand that I'll be needing a new motherboard - microATX - as my current one is apparently too large, and the ports on the back are in the wrong configuration.

 

First of all I need recommendations on a microATX board.

 

Secondly, I need to know if I can salvage any of my current parts for the new pc.

 

My current set up is:

2x 1GB DDR ram

AMD Sempron 2200+ 150GHZ processor

2 IDE 3.5 HDD's

 

Will any of these parts fit a microATX board?

 

Thanks for reading everyone

 

Finn

[Finn]

Forgot the graphics card. ATI Radeon 9550 256MB

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Hello Finn

 

Welcome to FPCH

 

Unfortunately our main resident hardware specialist is on holiday for a couple of days, however our other techs will advise you as soon as they get online.

 

I would ask that you bear with us for this period of time as I would rather respond to you rather than completely ignore a valued member.

[Finn]

That's cool, thanks for letting me know :)

[Dalo Harkin]

Finn,

 

There are lots of Horizontal Media cases that take Extended ATX boards.

Mostly Antec and Zalman cases do as they are enthusiast based.

[Finn]

Oh ok, I guess I didn't spend long enough looking around :o.

 

I'll do some more searching and let you know, thanks!

[Dalo Harkin]

Finn,

 

I was looking into this lastnight and the cases that take EATX boards are really expensive some are £300 + :eek:

If you are after just a more compact PC for say in your front room, then you may be better getting a shuttle or another barebone system as they are near silent, compact and they have enough space in them for 2 HDD's an optical drive and an uprated GPU if you wanted one.

would work out cheaper and be smaller :D

[Finn]

Hey thanks Dalo.

 

I did a bit more searching of my own and found a manufacturer of cheap, horizontal cases. Items 13/14 on this page Advance Technologies | NZXT Cases - NZXT Lexa Classic Cases - NZXT Zero Crafted Case - NZXT Nemisis Case - NZXT Duet Case - NZXT Apollo Case

 

I'd appreciate it if you'd take a little look for me and give me your opinion.

[Dalo Harkin]

3rd one down is nice :)

[Finn]

Lol it certainly is, unfortunately it's a Micro-ATX case. I know that's what I was asking for at the beginning, but then I found Advance Tec Ltd NZXT Duet Classic Case - Steel HTPC/Midi Tower Silver - PSU and my heart grew 3 sizes haha.

 

Personally, I (with not a huge amount of pc experience) think it's a good case as it would fit all of my pieces.

 

Could you see any problems with it?

[Dalo Harkin]

To be honest there is not much that could be wrong with it - the limitation of 8" on the graphics card is fine but - most high end cards now are 11" so unless you are running some serious kit (which you wouldn't in a case like this anyway) it should be fine -

I would however make sure that you max the available fan positions as these types of cases are reknowned for getting extremely toasty :D

[Finn]

Well.... I'm not sure about the fan things lol I have 2 hard drives. We'll see what happens.

 

I'll let you guys know how it goes when i get some money to buy the case, thanks for all of your help :)

[Dalo Harkin]

No problem -

you know where we are ;)