HI i'm working on upgrading a computer for a relative. She currently has a 400 mhz HP its a really small case and the motherboard i'm going to buy is ATX form do any of you know if HP cases are ATX or if there is a way for me to find out? if not i guess i can just upgrade the case too.

ATX is a set standard most easily identified by the layout of the I/O ports at the rear. HP/Compaq used to build non-standard systems so you need to check carefully, it will probably be better to salvage as much as you can (optical drives, memory(?), floppy etc.) & get a new case/PSU. "I know that I'm mad - I've always been mad..."

The PS is set up for HP only. Plus, I kinda doubt a mobo will fit in an HP case. You can buy a case for $20-$30 and a PS for around $60. When all else fails beat the $%!* out of it!!!

Hi. There really is no such thing as a non ATX case anymore. A really simple way to tell the difference between an old non ATX (it's been so long I can't remember the name!) is that the keyboard socket is bigger than the mouse socket. An ATX motherboard is one where the mouse and keyboard scokets are the same size (called PS2 sockets) If the motherbaord in this HP (box) case has the same size sockets for mouse and keyboard, then it's an ATX case. The trouble though, is that motherboards come in different sizes and it's a question of the physical dimensions of the motherboard being ok. Open the box and count the PCI slots (the white ones that the cards slot into). See how many the motherboard you intend to buy have (add 1 to the number) and if they match then it should fit in your existing case. For example the current motherboard has 4 PCI slots. The one that you want to buy has 4 slots as well. Add 1 to that number. 4+1=5. This means that the new motherboard is bigger and won't fit the case. This is just a guide though. I hope that this makes sense, but when all said and done, you can buy a perfectly functional case for £10 which should be plenty big enough for any new motherboard. As another tip if you take this route, do buy one with a 500 watt PSU. This will give you more than enough power to run everything. Let me know if you want anything clarified.

I think i am going with the bigger case option i just wanted to save as much money as possible. I found a great case with a 500W and 12V. Thanks for the input.

I was going to use a real nice 450 megahertz Gateway case I had for a new motherboard. The boaerd would fit. Problem was the port area on the case was drilled specifically for the old Gateway board (no cutout). I probably could have cut out the hole so an aftermarket board would fit but decided it just wasn't worth the trouble. If you buy a case don't go too cheap or you may find yourself fighting heat problems.

I also need to know this... My computer is already "rigged" engouh... i woudl buy a new case... but will my CURRENT motherbord fit in it? i ahve a compaq case. i tried callign compaq and HP help line but they don tknow what they are talkign about and only intrested in printers... not to mention i was redirected to the wrong place 4 times. i do not recomend ANYONE to buy a name brand computer. for only crap comes with it. My problem is.. I am buyign a a new PSU and its atx form... i need to kwno if it will fit in my current case ( if not i can place it on the bottom) but i am also buying a new heatsink/fan, you might be askign what this has to do with the case form... well my motherboard is Socket-A (PGA462) the heatsink i want to buy is for socket- A/462 and i need to knwo if it will fit in my current motherbaord. One had susgwested that i buy a new motherboard.. but then i got to thinking, (stupid namebrand comptuers come with funky case forms) so now to find out if my case is atx or not.. i looked at one poitn and i though it wasnt atx, but i might have been wrong.. Never the less could some one answer them 2 questions??? 1. is a compaq persario case atx or no 2. ( the important one) will a heatsink that fits socket- a/462 fit in a Socket-A (PGA462) motherboard??????? Plese help me on this, i am yankign teeth out!