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What is ATX form. Im buy a new case and was wondering how do i tell if i have a ATX motherboard? I found a wesbite http://www.digidesign.com/compato/98me/51198mobo.html that says thats what it most likly should look like. But i have a dell and it looks a little diffrent. It only has 1 of the serial ports and it looks like its upside down or something. So is it possible for me to transfer my dell to another case?
Actualy everything looks the same except the Mouse and Keyboard ports are in between the usb and Serial ports.
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Saetia:
ATX formfactor is a physical motherboard specification. It involves placement of serial, mouse, keyboard, and parallel ports directly mounted on the back of the motherboard and the use of a "P1" connector on the motherboard for the power connection coming from the power supply. Different variations are allowed for the addition of other ports such as USB, RJ45 (network connection) sound ports, etc.
There is a number of "size limited" versions that have their own specific names. One of these is "MicroATX". This is what you should have in your Dell. Chances are it has the video card built-in to the motherboard and has a maximum of three PCI slots.
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Saetia:
If your motherboard has 5 PCI slots, then it is a "full size" (generally just called "ATX") ATX motherboard. Yes, a MicroATX motherboard, will fit in an ATX case, but NOT vice versa (case would be too small.)
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Thank you very much. So even if it is MicroATX or ATX it will fit in an ATX case? I hope this is right because dell does some tricky s**t to their hardware. never will i buy a gameing PC from them again :)
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No it doesn't mean it's not ATX. Almost everything in the last few years is ATX or Micro-ATX. How old is your system? (more than 3 years)
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The number of PCI slots has nothing to do with ATX or not. If the back of your system looks 'approximately' like the picture at http://www.digidesign.com/compato/98me/51198mobo.html, then you have an ATX.
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Its like 11 months old. And so i guess i dont have an ATX because my mouse and keyboard port are in between the usb and serial ports.
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Also, the major difference between ATX and the older method (AT) is the way the system is power up and shutdown.
On an AT system, you physically have to push the power button to turn the system on and off. When you shutdown Windows, it'll display a message like, "it is now safe to turn off your computer" at the end of the shutdown sequence. Then you'll physically press the power button again to turn off the machine.
ATX machines, on the other hand, have TWO power switches. One, the "master" switch, which is on the back of the power supply, physically powers the system. But the system powers into a "standby" mode until you press the second "start" switch, usually a momentary pushbutton on the front of the case. This the makes the system startup and boot.
It's also possible to boot up the system using the keyboard or mouse or remotely using a LAN or modem (depending on the mnotherboard's capabilities). But the "master" switch still has to be turned on for these to work. For example, I power up mine using Ctrl+Esc so I don't have to reach down to the floor to power up.
Then there's the shutdown sequence. When you shutdown Windows, it doesn't show any "safe to turn off" message at the end of the shutdown sequence. It powers the system back down into the "standby" mode, ready to be started up again w/ a push of the start button or by one of the other means mentioned above.
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I went to the Dell forums someone said that its like a hybrid ATX but its not a total ATX. And i should just buy a new mobo. Also the Video Card is comming loose because dell doesnt use screws to secure them just some little green bar. After opeing it 3 times the latck is worn down and everything is loose. NEVER buy a dell :))
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""Its like 11 months old. And so i guess i dont have an ATX because my mouse and keyboard port are in between the usb and serial ports""
?????????????????????????????Motherboard mfgs can arrange these ports in almost any arrangement they like, especially USB, etc, although most generally conform to a basic setup. Major computer mfgs also make a lot of proprietary items (configurations) which can be a pain.
I would be pretty sure that your 11 month old tower is ATX compatable. A new ATX case has pop-out blanks for what ever actual port plugs your particular mobo has and how they are arranged (plus any future cards you may add to system).
So when looking at the existing mobo and back of new case (side by side), you must punch out the needed blanks so the mobo ports show thru at the back of the case.
Almost for sure it is an ATX tower. (my opinion) Good luck
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Hi,
Its an ATX. The problem you are having with the visual is that Dell, along with most other OEMs, have their motherboards made to their own specs.
So, trying to put that mobo into a standard ATX case would require some modifications that I am not sure is worth it considering the value of a 12 month old PC.
This is also why you should never flash the BIOS of an OEM machine with the BIOS files of the board manufacturer. For example, I believe that Dell uses Intel boards. If you flash the BIOS using an Intel flash, you run the extreme risk of making your board a door stop. You would have to go to Dell for a BIOS flash.
Also, and this may depend on what model you have, but I believe that the power supply in that Dell machine has special connectors for the board. Again, a mobo made to the specs of Dell that limits upgrading and forces you to buy from them.
Just some thoughts.
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Yeah, that is often part of the crappy trap.
Question: Why do you want/need to change the case?
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Power Supply, Liquid cooling in the future, and dell uses a crappy green bar to hold down the PCI and AGP cards instead of screws and its comming loose.
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Hi Saetia
You do have an ATX board. As far as where the mouse and keyboard ports are, check the back panel of the computer where all the ports are. You should be able to either unscrew or pop out that little plate and use it in the new case. Most motherboards you buy nowadays come with their own plate. You just pop the one out of the case and replace it with the one that came with the motherboard.
HTH
MindsEye
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Just a word of warning. While the Dell power supply plug looks the same as an ATX power supply, it's NOT!!! If you upgrade the Dell power supply with an ATX power supply, you'll blow your Dell motherboard. If you upgrade the motherboard with a non-Dell board and contiunue to use the Dell power supply, you'll blow your non-dell motherboard. Also, Dell uses a non-standard connector to connect to the power, reset switch, LED's, etc. I'd suggest you do a google.com search for sites which discuss upgrading a Dell system. It can be done if you're technically inclined or have a friend who is. Good luck. -S.Mickelson
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