Reverse ATX cases

[nategr8ns]

I just purchased a Dell and the whole system is Reverse-ATX. I want to keep my old case, an Aerocool Aeroengine, but its ATX. I also want to keep the Dell case to put the guts if my ATX system in.

Any tips or tutorials you guys have?

[Silenced_Coyote]

If you mean reverse ATX as in the ATX motherboard is mounted upside down, then there will be no problems if you wanted to switch the parts. The mounting holes are exactly the same, it is just that the motherboard tray is flipped 180 degrees and mounted on the left side of the PC case.

[Eclecticos]

Well you could do something like this:

http://img473.imageshack.us/img473/2924/p2200419wy3.jpg
http://img473.imageshack.us/img473/2656/p2200420oh1.jpg

You would need some "exact" measurements though.

[nategr8ns]

Not an upside down ATX motherboard, a reverse-atx formfactor. Its what Dell is using on their e520 and e521 series. Don't ask me why i bought a dell... it was a good price.

the motherboard is mounted on the opposite side of the case as a standard ATX.
http://www.heise.de/bilder/78232/0/0
I ONLY DID IT BECAUSE it came with 4gb ram, 2.6ghz athlong 64 x2, 320gb HDD, and was under $550.

[Xpirate]

That is a BTX form factor. The machine I use at work is BTX. It is Intel's new motherboard form factor.

[nategr8ns]

Thats what i first thought, and somebody i know told me that Dell wasn't using BTX, they were using reverse ATX...

does this mean that i can't use my nice ATX psu?
what is the difference? is that 24 on the 20/24 pin connector?

[Xpirate]

That is BTX. Dell is using them now. I believe that Gateway is as well. Reverse ATX refers to the motherboard being turned upside down to be placed on the other side of the case.

I can tell from looking at your pictures that your case and motherboard is BTX. It has the big fan in the front like a BTX.

[nategr8ns]

:(
i thought BTX was mounted on the same side as ATX.

[Xpirate]

Nope, it's mounted just like that. I guess they did that so you would be forced to get a new case that will allow the big fan to be put in the front.

[nategr8ns]

I'm probably not going to keep that weird heatsink and that mount... way too bulky. Whats a good AM2 heatsink/fan set that is under 20 decibels and under $30? I can't find any good ones except: http://www.directron.com/a4022.html

[Luke122]

The trouble with dell's is that they often use a proprietary mobo, which uses it's own heatsink mounting method.. you may not be able to replace the heatsink with an aftermarket one. :(

HOWEVER... every dell I've seen that uses a case mount fan with a CPU shroud blows IN to the case.. instead of out. Removing the fan and reversing it to blow out can often drop the temp by 5+ degrees. I've done it on all the Dell towers on my network.

Additionally, you can replace the thermal paste with Arctic silver, replace the fan with a higher CFM unit, and you may be able to get the temps down to where you want. :)

You can even replace the fan in the psu with a higher flowing unit also.. remember that this will probably void your warranty..

[nategr8ns]

I don't want to take apart the PSU, I have a nice one here http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2132071&CatId=1483
The only thing i don't like about that is the two fans make the wind move really fast and it gets kind of loud. Its the loudest thing on my computer.

Would it be easy to just change the holes on the mobo tray, then cut out the whole back panel and flip that upside down to fit the ATX mobo?

[Luke122]

Why not just find a BTX case? There are lots out there..

Here's one from Thermaltake.. (http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2169030&CatId=1842)

[Redundant]

The only thing i don't like about that is the two fans make the wind move really fast and it gets kind of loud. Its the loudest thing on my computer.
Are you talking about the two fans in the Dell case? You can change those out pretty easily.


Would it be easy to just change the holes on the mobo tray, then cut out the whole back panel and flip that upside down to fit the ATX mobo?
No, it would be difficult to do and you would pretty much have to destroy your case to do it. The back panel would have to be flipped too.

[Spawn-Inc]

see what happens when you buy a dell even if its a good price. i would say your best bet is to do what Lukifer122 said and get a btx case.

[nategr8ns]

I know I've always hated dell...
I just found out that my fourth memory stick was shipped broken...

supposed to be a 1gig stick, only gives me 1/4 of a gig...
damn dell