I need to change my case but am wary, so need advice :)

Idrisguitar · 02-25-2007, 03:38 PM

basically my current pc is used for a studio and has a horrible problem. I cannot screw my sound card in, meaning its very unstable and whenever i want to change cables i have to open the pc and hold the card in place while i pull them out and plug them in, plus on random days the studio wont have sound because magically the soundcard has come out of the pci slot.

im suprised the sound card is still working.

instead of buying a new computer, the cheaper and more hassle free route would probably be switching the case right?

i want to know which case will help me fix this problem but more importantly,

how do i switch the motherboard and processor and fans etc. (i know how to switch the hard drive easy and pci and ram i have installed many times before so im not a totally ignorant to the inside of a pc

but a whole mother board and proccessor transplant (if you want to call it that) is something im not totally sure about.

I REALLY HOPE YOU CAN HELP because this would solve so many annoying problems im having with the studio.

Idrisguitar · 02-25-2007, 06:04 PM

im sorry for the double post, but i cant seem to edit my first post,

also when im selecting a new case how do i know whats compatible (at the moment i have the standard plain case, with a fairly recent asus mobo with pci-e.)

also can i simply switch the power supply from the old computer and put it in the new case as well if it doesn't come with one, or should i get a new one that has more wattage just in case.

hope you can help

**Doby** · 02-25-2007, 06:47 PM

The edit button will only work for 30 minutes or something after the original post, and its ok to post again inside the same thread we just don't like when someone starts multiple threads asking the same question.

Now on to your problem, I am assuming because this is a Asus board with pcie that its a ATX board or at the very least a mico ATX. A micro ATX board will fit a ATX case but not the other way around so just get a ATX mid tower as long as it has enough drive bays for the drives you have.

If your computer runs good I would keep the same power supply, it will fit any ATX case.

You will not have to remove the cpu or ram to transplant the board into the new case but you have to be very carefull in positioning the stand offs or the motherboard will short. A standoff is placed underneath the motherboard to support it and keep it from making contact with the bottom of the case. These standoffs have to only be installed where they will line up with the mounting holes in the motherboard or else they will touch the traces underneath the motherboard causing a short.

The other things to be careful of is the front panel wirer's and where they connect too, this is easy to figure out if you watch where you remove them from or you have your manual to help locate where they go.

Don't let any of this scare you, if you are careful and have some understanding of computer hardware it ain't that difficult.

But before you go ordering anything post here your motherboard model number and a link to the case you intend to get and we will make sure they are compatible, in fact post your full system specs including the power supply if possible

Idrisguitar · 02-26-2007, 06:00 AM

i woudl but im int uni and my computer is at home, (noone there will have any idea of how to find out the mobo)

i will be going home before buying the case though so ill rebump this post when i know in a few weeks and hopefully you can confirm it then

thanks a lto :)

**Doby** · 02-26-2007, 07:18 PM

Normally Asus prints the model number on the board so check for that.

You could also install Everest Free and get the info from there

http://www.majorgeeks.com/EVEREST_Free_Edition_d4181.html

02-25-2007, 03:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
Idrisguitar Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 56 OS: xp	I need to change my case but am wary, so need advice :) basically my current pc is used for a studio and has a horrible problem. I cannot screw my sound card in, meaning its very unstable and whenever i want to change cables i have to open the pc and hold the card in place while i pull them out and plug them in, plus on random days the studio wont have sound because magically the soundcard has come out of the pci slot. im suprised the sound card is still working. instead of buying a new computer, the cheaper and more hassle free route would probably be switching the case right? i want to know which case will help me fix this problem but more importantly, how do i switch the motherboard and processor and fans etc. (i know how to switch the hard drive easy and pci and ram i have installed many times before so im not a totally ignorant to the inside of a pc but a whole mother board and proccessor transplant (if you want to call it that) is something im not totally sure about. I REALLY HOPE YOU CAN HELP because this would solve so many annoying problems im having with the studio.

02-25-2007, 06:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
Doby Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Central PA (USA) Posts: 8,083 OS: XP sp2/ Vista My System	The edit button will only work for 30 minutes or something after the original post, and its ok to post again inside the same thread we just don't like when someone starts multiple threads asking the same question. Now on to your problem, I am assuming because this is a Asus board with pcie that its a ATX board or at the very least a mico ATX. A micro ATX board will fit a ATX case but not the other way around so just get a ATX mid tower as long as it has enough drive bays for the drives you have. If your computer runs good I would keep the same power supply, it will fit any ATX case. You will not have to remove the cpu or ram to transplant the board into the new case but you have to be very carefull in positioning the stand offs or the motherboard will short. A standoff is placed underneath the motherboard to support it and keep it from making contact with the bottom of the case. These standoffs have to only be installed where they will line up with the mounting holes in the motherboard or else they will touch the traces underneath the motherboard causing a short. The other things to be careful of is the front panel wirer's and where they connect too, this is easy to figure out if you watch where you remove them from or you have your manual to help locate where they go. Don't let any of this scare you, if you are careful and have some understanding of computer hardware it ain't that difficult. But before you go ordering anything post here your motherboard model number and a link to the case you intend to get and we will make sure they are compatible, in fact post your full system specs including the power supply if possible __________________ Would you like to help TSF fight cancer and other diseases??? JOIN TEAM TSF

02-26-2007, 07:18 PM	#5 (permalink)
Doby Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Central PA (USA) Posts: 8,083 OS: XP sp2/ Vista My System	Normally Asus prints the model number on the board so check for that. You could also install Everest Free and get the info from there http://www.majorgeeks.com/EVEREST_Free_Edition_d4181.html __________________ Would you like to help TSF fight cancer and other diseases??? JOIN TEAM TSF

02-25-2007, 06:04 PM	#2 (permalink)
Idrisguitar Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 56 OS: xp	im sorry for the double post, but i cant seem to edit my first post, also when im selecting a new case how do i know whats compatible (at the moment i have the standard plain case, with a fairly recent asus mobo with pci-e.) also can i simply switch the power supply from the old computer and put it in the new case as well if it doesn't come with one, or should i get a new one that has more wattage just in case. hope you can help

02-26-2007, 06:00 AM	#4 (permalink)
Idrisguitar Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 56 OS: xp	i woudl but im int uni and my computer is at home, (noone there will have any idea of how to find out the mobo) i will be going home before buying the case though so ill rebump this post when i know in a few weeks and hopefully you can confirm it then thanks a lto :)