Cutting the back of the case.

[Bajawoojie]

Okay, I've been wanting to switch my computer into one of my old cases I have. Its from a Gateway from way back when, but the cutouts for the ports on the motherboard (Mouse, Monitor, on-board sound, USB, etc etc) don't match up with the motherboard. So would it be that bad for me to acctually just cut out that whole section?

[Jetty_200]

you are talking about the I/0 panel?

you mean these?
http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/directron/antecsonata08.jpg

As far as i know they are all just panels as you can see with the guy holding it...now some older pcs may have them actually milled into the case, as in there is no removable panel. If this is your case then i would say buy an I/0 panel escutcheon, it's a lot easier to cut a big rectangle then a bunch of tiny lil chunks of mismatched sizes

[Greco101]

Can always get a thin piece of plexie and make your own. It'd help reduce the amount of dust that gets in your case.

[Bajawoojie]

Yeah, I mean an I/O panel, and yes. It is part of the case. So are you saying that I could buy one that custom fits my motherboard?

[Helix666]

normally, when you buy a motherboard, they have one provided that matches the motherboard.
(It's inside the box, or should be.)

[FuzzyPlushroom]

I don't use 'em, mainly because I manage to lose all of them. There's no harm in leaving it out aside from a bit of dust; I'd just cut that whole area of your case out.

[Luke122]

I've left it open as Fuzzy says above, but I do think that it doesnt look as good as having a proper plate there, and you definitely get more dust. I suppose it could also technically screw up airflow, and may result in higher case temps.

[MaxOC]

I've left it open as Fuzzy says above, but I do think that it doesnt look as good as having a proper plate there, and you definitely get more dust. I suppose it could also technically screw up airflow, and may result in higher case temps.

no way. air actually exits thru the 1/0 plates on newer mobos. and even on old ones. it doesnt add more dust unless you guys draw air in from the back of the case. since air is blowing out o it anyway.

[NightrainSrt4]

no way. air actually exits thru the 1/0 plates on newer mobos. and even on old ones. it doesnt add more dust unless you guys draw air in from the back of the case. since air is blowing out o it anyway.

But you also have to think about when the computer is off as well. There won't be any airflow because its off, but believe me, if there is a hole somewhere dust will get in it. Especially without any air coming out of the hole to prohibit the dust from entering. When the computer is off, dust will settle back there.

[MaxOC]

But you also have to think about when the computer is off as well. There won't be any airflow because its off, but believe me, if there is a hole somewhere dust will get in it. Especially without any air coming out of the hole to prohibit the dust from entering. When the computer is off, dust will settle back there.

i dont need to worry about that. the longest time my computer has been off in the last 3 months is 20 minutes

[NightrainSrt4]

I can understand that, but you may not have an issue with dust if yours is on 24/7 but his may. That was why I stated that. Either way, having a plate or something back there would be ideal, and worth the extra effort to make. Whether or not any one uses one, doesn't change that it would be ideal.

[ervand]

Comment by Greco101, which was one of the first, would be my way of holding this problem.

In fact, I am going to do it! Very nice idea! I love it!
In my case I am doing to for style, but you should do it too because of dust....