Will my old PC CASE be able to use latest components

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02-11-2006, 06:27 PM
Barrichello

Will my old PC CASE be able to use latest components

Hiya

Nearing the time to buy all my new parts to build my new pc and was wondering if i am likley to face any issues if i use my old PC case? Although originally i was going to buy a new case, i really like my old Coolermaster ATC-201 and even though i have had it for 3+ years will it still accomodate the lastest Dual core mobo/Power supplies?

I found some screenies of my make/model of case which i have linked in this thread (dont have a digi cam myself at the mo)

So looking at the pics below, would you say the 201 should be able to accomodate the parts i want to buy...

1. P5B Deluxe mobo?
2. Does it look deep enough to accomodate a good standard CPU cooler like the Arctic Cooling 7 Pro?
3. Not sure on what power supply to get - was thinking of the 430 Seasonic S12-430.

http://www.pcstats.com/articleimages...c201b_nice.jpg
http://arstechnica.com/reviews/01q3/...emove_tray.jpg

also here is a link to the original review of my case, shows the dimensions of it...

Width / Height / Depth 497 mm x 196 mm x 452 mm

http://arstechnica.com/reviews/01q3/...atc-201-1.html
02-11-2006, 06:59 PM
Clunk

Yep, its ATX, your new stuff will fit :)

Edit: some PSUs are longer than the ATX standard, so you need to look at the dimensions of the PSu and what will fit into the gap in the case.
02-11-2006, 07:26 PM
dave87

The Seasonics are ATX standard length, but some aren't as Clunk said.

The only thing that would affect my judgment is the lack of exhaust fans - 1x80mm fan isn't up to much without making a lot of noise. If your not afraid of modding, then that could easily be made into 2x80mm :D

Dave
02-11-2006, 08:43 PM
Barrichello

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave87

The only thing that would affect my judgment is the lack of exhaust fans - 1x80mm fan isn't up to much without making a lot of noise. If your not afraid of modding, then that could easily be made into 2x80mm :D

Dave

Yeah my mate said to me that cooling wise its not up to as good by modern standards - reading that old review i ust realised that my case is from 2001 :surprised:

As well as the 80mm fan i actually have one of these as well....

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=130268

Im not going to be overlocking "to much" so hopefully my trusty old case should be able to carry on for a while longer :) (putting the money i would save on a new case into the pc parts - damn RAM so expensive now days :( )

Thanks both of you for your help :)
02-11-2006, 09:57 PM
amjedm

Nice case, as you already know cooling by todays standard is a bit on the weak side.

The top 80mm fan is an exhaust as well?

By buying a 120mm fan PSU some of the heat will exit through the PSU so I wouldn't worry too much unless you start serious overclocking.

Edit: IMO Seasonic is the best option as they don't tend to ramp up much at all.
02-11-2006, 11:33 PM
arthurleung

Quote:

Originally Posted by amjedm

Nice case, as you already know cooling by todays standard is a bit on the weak side.

The top 80mm fan is an exhaust as well?

By buying a 120mm fan PSU some of the heat will exit through the PSU so I wouldn't worry too much unless you start serious overclocking.

Edit: IMO Seasonic is the best option as they don't tend to ramp up much at all.

That is rather contradicting as if the PSU don't ramp up to take the heat away the CPU would have ramped up anyway.

I would recommend changing the top fan to intake so that you have more cold air available to cool the components.
03-11-2006, 11:27 AM
amjedm

Quote:

Originally Posted by arthurleung

That is rather contradicting as if the PSU don't ramp up to take the heat away the CPU would have ramped up anyway.

I would recommend changing the top fan to intake so that you have more cold air available to cool the components.

A Seasonic 120mm psu will exhaust more heat than a 80mm fan psu - that's what I meant. I recommended the Seasonic as it's one of the better psus.

He will have to have a powerful fan at the top if he's going to cool the components IMO.

Also, doesn't heat usually gather at the top of the case and therefore the need for an exhaust fan there? Secondly, I believe some Seasonic psus exhaust heat from the small vent (near the cables) and therefore the top fan should be used as an exhaust.
03-11-2006, 12:29 PM
Rack

Quote:

Originally Posted by amjedm

Also, doesn't heat usually gather at the top of the case and therefore the need for an exhaust fan there? Secondly, I believe some Seasonic psus exhaust heat from the small vent (near the cables) and therefore the top fan should be used as an exhaust.

yep, hot air rises! Exhaust at the top.

Get the P5B Deluxe, its really nice.

I really looks like you could cut a 120mm hole in both the rear and top exhaust spots. Maybe a bit of case modding is all that's needed.

However I can highly highly recommend the Akasa Mirage/Eclipse as awesome cases to get these days.
03-11-2006, 12:38 PM
amjedm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rack

I really looks like you could cut a 120mm hole in both the rear and top exhaust spots. Maybe a bit of case modding is all that's needed.

However I can highly highly recommend the Antec Mirage/Eclipse as awesome cases to get these days.

I think he may have problems with a 120mm on the back - not enough space?

You mean Akasa Mirage/Eclipse :mrgreen:
03-11-2006, 03:38 PM
arthurleung

Quote:

Originally Posted by amjedm

A Seasonic 120mm psu will exhaust more heat than a 80mm fan psu - that's what I meant. I recommended the Seasonic as it's one of the better psus.

He will have to have a powerful fan at the top if he's going to cool the components IMO.

Also, doesn't heat usually gather at the top of the case and therefore the need for an exhaust fan there? Secondly, I believe some Seasonic psus exhaust heat from the small vent (near the cables) and therefore the top fan should be used as an exhaust.

Its not only Seasonic have 120mm fan. Hiper, Tagan and many others have 12 (some even 15cm) fan. I was saying if he have to rely on airflow from PSU, then he better buy one that DOES ramp up at high temperature. Yes seasonic PSUs are good but with the 80mm fans the system is not going to be quiet which defeats the purpose of having a quiet seasonic PSU.

Regarding to the top fan.

He only have 2x80mm intake.
Physics do say hot air rises. But the heat is generated on the upper left of the case. With most of the recent coolers always blow toward PSU or exhaust fan, there is no point blowing air out of the upper fan because it will just pump out cool air rather than hot air from CPU/GPU.

Changing the upper fan to intake will provide cool fresh air for the CPU cooler. Adding more intakes also help push air out of the exhaust fans.
03-11-2006, 04:50 PM
amjedm

Quote:

Originally Posted by arthurleung

Its not only Seasonic have 120mm fan. Hiper, Tagan and many others have 12 (some even 15cm) fan.

I know. I recommended one of the companies I have experience of and usually get good reviews.

Quote:

Originally Posted by arthurleung

I was saying if he have to rely on airflow from PSU, then he better buy one that DOES ramp up at high temperature.

The Seasonic will ramp up at high temperature/load. http://www.silentpcreview.com/article226-page3.html

Quote:

Originally Posted by arthurleung

Yes seasonic PSUs are good but with the 80mm fans the system is not going to be quiet which defeats the purpose of having a quiet seasonic PSU.

He can still have a quiet system with 80mm fans - undervolted or quiet to begin with. I used to have a case (still have but not used) with 6 80mm case fans - wasn't too bad with one of Oclockers baybus'.

Regarding to the top fan.

Quote:

Originally Posted by arthurleung

He only have 2x80mm intake.
Physics do say hot air rises. But the heat is generated on the upper left of the case. With most of the recent coolers always blow toward PSU or exhaust fan, there is no point blowing air out of the upper fan because it will just pump out cool air rather than hot air from CPU/GPU.

If he opts for a Seasonic he will need the top fan as exhaust IMO. I think there was also some information regards air gathering at top in the last CustomPC group test of cases - http://www.custompc.co.uk/custompc/l...roduction.html (you have to see individual reviews)
03-11-2006, 04:56 PM
Rack

Quote:

Originally Posted by amjedm

You mean Akasa Mirage/Eclipse :mrgreen:

Ahh damit, i did it again. :Oops:
03-11-2006, 07:26 PM
dodgybob

My old housemate managed to fit a 580w hiper into one of these cases. It was a very close fit with the modular cables, I think he had to attach them to the psu before screwing it in. Otherwise there was no room to plug them in due to the psu cage.

He didn't have any issues though with papst fans and a 3200+ @2.5ghz with a x800gto2 unlocked and overclocked to x850xt speeds. Seemed reasonably quiet.