Changing Computer Cases

Insert_Name_Here · Post by **Insert_Name_Here** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 10:49 am

I was wondering how hard it is to change computer cases. Like, what's involved in it and whether it'd be worth it.

My current case causes my comp to be really really hot plus it looks like crap so....

blackbox_dev · Post by **blackbox_dev** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 10:56 am

Not too hard...

1) Remove all drives from their bays.

2) Disconnect cables that go to the motherboard.

3) Remove all PCI/AGP cards (make a note of which slot each is in so Windows doesn't complain).

4) Unscrew motherboard and transport into new case.

5) Place drives in new case and connect cables to the motherboard

6) Install PCI cards again

7) Connect all power cables again.

Note that i'm assuming that the new case already has the correct plate for motherboard connectors and that the new case already has a PSU installed.

Disclaimer: I might have forgotten some stuff, but if your smart you should be able to figure out what I forgot. And oh yeah, I'm not responsible for any damages.

Post by **SpongeBuell** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 1:06 pm

If you hate the case you have, and they are both standard types, then it's not too bad... maybe an hour or 2. I did it recently, and had to redo half of it again when I found out my motherboard was dieing.

Insert_Name_Here · Post by **Insert_Name_Here** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 4:49 pm

What are the bad things that could happen. For the record I am now using the standard Dell 4700 case. Like you know, square....boring....with hardly any ventilation.

atari2600a · Post by **atari2600a** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 5:08 pm

If you forget to put the mobo on those risers-whatyamicallit-things, it could short &/or damage it...

Lucretius · Post by **Lucretius** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 5:15 pm

Good point, try to make sure your grounded.
Though I'd love to see another Dell mobo get fried.

atari2600a · Post by **atari2600a** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 5:16 pm

Touch a bare-metal part of the case BEFORE YOU UNPLUG IT before you start; this will ensure your groundiness.

Post by **bicostp** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 5:38 pm

Insert_Name_Here wrote:What are the bad things that could happen. For the record I am now using the standard Dell 4700 case. Like you know, square....boring....with hardly any ventilation.

Forget it. Dells, at least in my experience, are all proprietary and won't fit in a standard ATX case. From the looks of it, your Dimension 4700 is no exception.

Sorry.

As for bad things, worst case is that you could fry any of the components if you're not careful, including the motherboard.

Now, about the looks of the case. You could just move the machine under your desk where you won't see it. Or you could paint it a more fun color (use plastic-safe paint). Or you could smear it with glue and sprinkle glitter all over the thing.

But I don't get the whole "shiny case mod" thing. My motherboard is a standard Mini-ATX in a$15 ATX tower. It's a box, but I don't care about how it looks. I didn't waste money on shinyness (It lives under my desk anyways...). Why do people shell out tons of money for lights, case windows (lookit the dust inside!

), and big fancy round cases that have more doors than a Caravan? I know I don't feel like opening a liftgate just to insert a DVD.

totokan · Post by **totokan** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 6:28 pm

Well, I can't speak for everyone here, but my case is all shiny and lightup because it's in the middle of my desk. It'd be underneath, but that's where I place everything else. There's no more room for it. Also, I despise the window because it shows off the fact that I lack basic cable movement skillz.

Insert_Name_Here · Post by **Insert_Name_Here** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 6:31 pm

bicostp wrote:
Insert_Name_Here wrote:What are the bad things that could happen. For the record I am now using the standard Dell 4700 case. Like you know, square....boring....with hardly any ventilation.
Forget it. Dells, at least in my experience, are all proprietary and won't fit in a standard ATX case. From the looks of it, your Dimension 4700 is no exception.

Sorry.

As for bad things, worst case is that you could fry any of the components if you're not careful, including the motherboard.

Now, about the looks of the case. You could just move the machine under your desk where you won't see it. Or you could paint it a more fun color (use plastic-safe paint). Or you could smear it with glue and sprinkle glitter all over the thing.

But I don't get the whole "shiny case mod" thing. My motherboard is a standard Mini-ATX in a$15 ATX tower. It's a box, but I don't care about how it looks. I didn't waste money on shinyness (It lives under my desk anyways...). Why do people shell out tons of money for lights, case windows (lookit the dust inside! ), and big fancy round cases that have more doors than a Caravan? I know I don't feel like opening a liftgate just to insert a DVD.

Nooooooo! Are you absolutly sure that Dell mobos are non ATX case compatible?

vb_master · Post by **vb_master** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 6:33 pm

Insert_Name_Here wrote:Nooooooo! Are you absolutly sure that Dell mobos are non ATX case compatible?

Yes.

Insert_Name_Here · Post by **Insert_Name_Here** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 6:41 pm

Curse you Dell!

Oh well, maybe I can just install some new fans in my existing case. Maybe a window too. I'll have to see how hard it is.

atari2600a · Post by **atari2600a** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 6:43 pm

Dell mobo's suck. (my brother's dell doesn't even have an AGP or PCI Express slot!) Just buy a new one.

vskid · Post by **vskid** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 6:46 pm

atari2600a wrote:Dell mobo's suck.

Dells suck all around, I think thats all our school district uses, and all the computers over a year old are that ugly purple dell used to use.

Insert_Name_Here · Post by **Insert_Name_Here** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 6:49 pm

Meh mines not that bad it has 2 AGP and a PCI X16 slot. Plenty of RAM slots too.

You say "just buy a new one" so casually

I can't just go out and buy a 1000$ comp whenever I want...

EDIT: Did you mean buy a new mobo?