"Baby AT" vs "Micro ATX" Form Factors

[Toad]

Are these the same or "close enough" for a swapout?

I'm reworking my son's old computer that has a Matsonic "Baby AT" mobo and I'd like to put in the ASUS A7N266-VM "Micro ATX".

Is this doable?

Thanks.

[bockko]

i do believe the atx case will accept both formats. the biggest issue is getting the mobo with the features you want and the cpu support you need. Oh, and make sure to get a board that supports agp cards.

later, bockk

[bockko]

uh oh! scratch my last -- the at format won't work with the atx boards. AT power supply cables differ as well as the mounting points for the board. To go to an atx style board from an AT setup means getting a new case and mobo, probably a new cpu and memory. things like hard drive, vid card etc can be recycled if they are not too out of date.

[Reschke]

Originally posted by Toad
Are these the same or "close enough" for a swapout?

I'm reworking my son's old computer that has a Matsonic "Baby AT" mobo and I'd like to put in the ASUS A7N266-VM "Micro ATX".

Is this doable?

Thanks.

It is doable. I have put a micro ATX board I put in an AT case that my parents had a few years ago. I only had to scrounge up a back plate for the right setup on the back of the board (sound, video, USB, printer, etc...) and I had to buy a new power supply to put in the case. At one point a few years ago some of the baby AT and micro ATX boards came with connections for both types of power supplies. Also many cases have the backing parts for both full size AT and ATX; as well as baby AT and micro ATX. Yours should also if you still have the parts that came with the case unless it is a name brand like HP, Compaq and other non-upgrade friendly pc makers.

Since you are changing motherboards completely you are most likely buying new CPU and memory already so that is taken care of.

Good Luck on the swapout Toad.

[Toad]

Thanks guys.

Looks like a new power supply for sure and I'd have to seriously modify the backpanel to have the plugs accessible. I mean like, removing 1/2 of it.

Given that, a new micro ATX case might be just as cheap and simpler too.

Still, not a problem though. Pricewatch is showing that to be easily done @$30-35.

[Reschke]

A new power supply is going to at least cost you that much so you will probably be better off going that route.

[Skuzzy]

Consider the Antec KS282 for a good value case.  Although, if you are running AMD, the power supply may not be enough to handle it.