Can I reuse my old PC tower case

JMC39

Hi,

Despite being a techie I have been out of the PC building scene for a good few years. Anyway, I have a big but old (5 year) tower that I was hoping to use for building my new PC. It is similar a relation to http://www.eclipsecomputers.com/product.aspx?code=CAA-TIT650B&af=50 just 5 years older.

Anyway, my question is should this still be suitable for modern day motherboards/PSUs etc? From what I can tell, ATX still seems to be the norm, however have their been any changes to the PSU dimensions or the spacing for graphics cards etc?

Thanks for your help

S0litaire

The size of PSU's have not changed. Also ATX & smaller motherboard will fit, same for cards, they have not changed that much. The case is big enough to handle anything you can throw inside it

almillar

I've got a huge Chieftec case similar to that, it's a heavy beast but nice and quiet and has had several mobos inside it over the years. ATX is still the norm, the only changes have been with HTPC type stuff. Just be careful with the power supply, they need more power these days and make sure you get the right connectors with the PSU for any graphics card you might buy

robredz

Watch the length of some of the newer graphics card also as they may need a dedicated power connector of their own and foul the hard drive connectors

DatabaseError

^ I have a 9800GTX, I had to take part of my case apart to fit the card in, then rebuild around it

tight-git

i am doing my son a new pc with new part - using a older (5yr max) tower then i realized the newer Pentium dual core mobo (motherboard in geek terms) requires a 4pin power lead to 'feed' the cpu !!!!??:eek:
so now i have to buy a new PSU or a new tower with thi:j s new psu . FYI ok.

DatabaseError

buy a decent psu, 450w+

scot-canuck

At worst change the back plate in the case for the one supplied with the mobo, oh and make sure the PSU is rated highly enough. If not then buy a good brand, don't skimp on it. I have and had stability problems due to lack of volts, also have known people to fry rigs due to poor PSU designs. New modular designs seem easier but sometimes are more trouble than standard hardwired PSUs.

Personally I would aim for at least 550W if not higher, bearing in mind most PSUs are about 70% efficient at best, (more expensive models can hit 87%+) plus its worth having the overhead in case of new power hungry peripherals and components.

PM me if you want any help

tight-git

humm ,but i wouldnt have brought the mobo/cpu combo ,then the 2G ram , then the newer type pc expresss graphic card now ONLY to find out i need to but the PSU . :eek:
would be better off buying a cheap system from boffer or similar !!! oh well intention was good, merry xmas everyone. although i dont KNOW anyone here but i feel most people here are genuinely nice :rotfl: :beer:

once again , Merry Xmas and Happy New Year :T

Pikeyp

Try one of these cases .. http://www.ebuyer.com/product/105235/ ..

I bought one about 18 months ago .. it works fine, quite well built and looks grand! .. OK, well maybe a bit garish for some, lit up like a XMAS tree!!

and it comes with a 400W power supply and enough spare screws and bits to build a spare one ..

DatabaseError

^ i spend more than that on a PSU alone, so I'd not be confident putting a decent mobo+processor in there, but if it's on a tight budget...