case/motherboard question

[guncrasher]

I currently have a gateway 820 gm5066e mid tower computer with 2 processors.  I am thinking of building a new computer I have no experience other than replacing video cards, sound cards or power supplies.  Now I am thinking of replacing the existing case in my computer with a new one to accommodate the 9800gtx video card, but at the same time i want to use that new case in the next couple of months when I build my own computer.  Now the question I have is are the cases able to accomodate all the motherboards?  I plan to upgrade to an intel dual core or I7.  Specifically will the "holes " in the back of case fit all usb, monitor, speakers connections from all the mother boards? are they pretty much the same in all motherboards?  Your help would be appreciated.

semp

[Getback]

This is one of the cases TD likes and uses in builds. He mentioned another but I forgot which one.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146047

This is one that I have and am quite satisfied like a few others on this board.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021

Now I have never worked with the NXZT case but from pictures posted from TD it looks a bit roomier.

[Fulmar]

I've never dealt with the Tempest myself, but I do own a NZXT case (Lexa).  My Lexa looks neat (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146018) however airflow isn't that great, at least front intake wise.  Also on mine I'm not a fan of the hard drive cage rotated 90°, it's design also blocks a bit of airflow.  I had to put in some 2000 RPM (loud) intake 120mm fans to get a good amount of air in my case.  Otherwise, it's a nice case.  Good rail system, nice LCD front panel.  It's quality materials.

The 900's are good as well, excellent airflow and a very popular case.

[BaldEagl]

Now the question I have is are the cases able to accomodate all the motherboards?  I plan to upgrade to an intel dual core or I7.  Specifically will the "holes " in the back of case fit all usb, monitor, speakers connections from all the mother boards? are they pretty much the same in all motherboards?  Your help would be appreciated.

semp

Yes, the peripheral connections and expansion slots are all designed to fit pretty much any case.  You might want to keep the plate that covers the open space around the connectors as those are specific to the motherboard.

Bigger than that you'll need to determin what form factor your motherboard is (ATX, micro-ATX, etc... it's most likely one of those two) and make sure you get a case that will accomodate it.  The easiest way would be to measure your motherboard (LxW), look at some new ones to figure out what yours is, then get an appropriate case.  A lot of cases will accomodate various motherboard form factors so you might want to look for that too.

The only caveat to this is if Gateway used something proprietary, in which case you might be SOL but I guess I'd give it a try.

[Dragon]

Specifically will the "holes " in the back of case fit all usb, monitor, speakers connections from all the mother boards? are they pretty much the same in all motherboards?  Your help would be appreciated.

semp

That is a plate that comes with the motherboard, and a new one will come with any motherboard you purchase with the proper holes and layout.  They just snap into place.

[Getback]

Yes, the peripheral connections and expansion slots are all designed to fit pretty much any case.  You might want to keep the plate that covers the open space around the connectors as those are specific to the motherboard.

Bigger than that you'll need to determin what form factor your motherboard is (ATX, micro-ATX, etc... it's most likely one of those two) and make sure you get a case that will accommodate it.  The easiest way would be to measure your motherboard (LxW), look at some new ones to figure out what yours is, then get an appropriate case.  A lot of cases will accommodate various motherboard form factors so you might want to look for that too.

The only caveat to this is if Gateway used something proprietary, in which case you might be SOL but I guess I'd give it a try.

Baldeagle had the audacity to answer your specific question. However, I agree.

[Reschke]

I personally like the Thermaltake cases but have build and used Antec for several systems. I just bought this one for my new system.

http://thermaltakeusa.com/Product.aspx?C=1390&ID=1835

[TilDeath]

The NZXT Tempest case has more awards from mags, online review sites and my own personal and business use.  It comes stock with 6 fans (3 with blue leds) and is known as the airflow king.  I have over 300 Tempest cases out there with 3 complaints.  They are not even really complaints one fan went bad in a side window, I sent a replacement (I stock NZXT parts) the second was a small crack in the top panel, again replacement sent, the last was the ON/OFF button stuck, had the customer call NZXT they walked him thru the fix.

The Tempest is ROOMIE to say the least, it will hold any PSU, Video card they presently make with ease.  Using a digital therm the case is 7 degrees cooler then the Antec 1200 with the exact same components and clock speeds.  It will take any MB that is on the open market (not sure if it will take a Dell, HP, other builder makers MB).  That's my buc 2.50 input.


COMMENT:  I have had to RMA some products to ThermalTake in the past.  Before they will issue you an RMA they have to have a receipt in HAND, this includes sending out a replacement fan for a DOA fan.  Not such a good practice in my opinion.

[etoile]

Well, my antique dell box desktop finally crashed and I'm being forced to update my hw. I got a laptop to get back online and am contemplating building my own desktop for primarily AHII use. So far, I'm contemplating the before recommended tempest case. Any recommendations on power sources? Antec vs  Thermaltec? Motherboards, will use an I7 cpu, ASUS? Vid cards, would like to stick with Nvidia. Soundcards, CreativeLabs? Any input from those with experience is greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance! etoile

[Getback]

Well, my antique dell box desktop finally crashed and I'm being forced to update my hw. I got a laptop to get back online and am contemplating building my own desktop for primarily AHII use. So far, I'm contemplating the before recommended tempest case. Any recommendations on power sources? Antec vs  Thermaltec? Motherboards, will use an I7 cpu, ASUS? Vid cards, would like to stick with Nvidia. Soundcards, CreativeLabs? Any input from those with experience is greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance! etoile

On power supplies I recommend PC Power and Cooling. TD will probably recommend a Gigabyte board. I have used MSI, Abit (no longer in business) Asus and Gibabyte. Unfortunately my favorite was the Abit board. Just easy to use. Video cards, Toss up for me although I currently use ATI cards. Never had a problem with them. I heard the newer ati cards run hot. My VC cards are the 3870 and the 3850. No one yet has convinced me that Nvidia is any better or in fact that ATI is any better.

[Chalenge]

The NZXT Tempest case has more awards from mags, online review sites and my own personal and business use. 

One question I have about the Tempest and Antec cases are isolation mounting for HDs. I wont buy a case without the isolation mounts so I ask you if the Tempest and 900 offer that?

[TilDeath]

One question I have about the Tempest and Antec cases are isolation mounting for HDs. I wont buy a case without the isolation mounts so I ask you if the Tempest and 900 offer that?

Rubber mounts are a 9 dollar item.  I would not discount a case just because they are not included.  I have yet to need them.  The Tempest is whisper quiet even with the 6 fans I run 4 drives in mine and there is no HD hum coming from the mounting or spin up.  But its a matter of preference.

[Ruler2]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021

Now I have never worked with the NXZT case but from pictures posted from TD it looks a bit roomier.
[/quote]


Wow,I must have REALLY got a deal when I got this Antec P190+1200 for that price on ebay.

[Ruler2]

guncrasher,if you get a new case,it SHOULD have holes in the right places,when I took the guts out of my HP and put it in my new case it was more of a case of matching the hole with one on the motherboard,there were tons drilled for different mobos though,just make sure you use your standoffs

[Reschke]

As far as sound cards go...do a little bit of research on them and go into it with eyes and ears open. Creative is not the be all, end all of the sound card world. You can get a very good sound card that will work at least as good and if not better than anything from Creative these days. Now I am not a Creative basher but I do recommend that people be very research minded when going for a sound card these days.