Hardware and case compatibility?

**BLACKonBLACK98** · 05-18-2008, 08:09 PM

I've never built a computer of any kind so I really have no idea how these things go together. Looking at pictures online doesn't really help much.

I understand connection compatibility (match one connector to another) but how do you know if components will fit inside a case?

More importantly, how do components mount? I.E. I know that there are board size standards, so do certain size cases (ITX-Mini for example) have standardized mounting points (pre drilled holes or what)?

What about PSUs? The size difference of an M2-ATX vs. an OPUS 320w is pretty big from what I've read.

I know that these are super noobish questions, but they seem to be so basic that I haven't seen them covered.

**Woofnstuff** · 05-18-2008, 11:43 PM

well this for example
http://store.mp3car.com/Mp3Car_Custo..._p/ccc-120.htm

would get you going, and thats case has a place for the psu, hard drive and motherboard.

the mounting points are a standard size, so in theory any mini itx board should fit.

and yes every case i have seen has pre drilled holes.

that is almost exactly what i use in my car, ant its great

**BLACKonBLACK98** · 05-18-2008, 11:59 PM

thanks for the reply. i prefer to make my own even though i have never done anything more than adding pci cards to desktops. i have already purchased an msi gm965 mother board and plan on using an intel core 2 duo t7700 so my understanding is i'll need more wattage than a m1/m2-atx can provide. can anyone confirm one way or the other that an opus 320w psu will fit inside the morex 5677 case, because that is the one i'd really like to use.

**BLACKonBLACK98** · 05-19-2008, 08:43 PM

i went ahead and bought the case since thats the one i really want to use and i dont think ill ever figure anything out looking at jpegs. lol. hopefully everything will fit, if not i'll get something else.

**danielkh** · 05-19-2008, 08:54 PM

Originally Posted by BLACKonBLACK98

thanks for the reply. i prefer to make my own even though i have never done anything more than adding pci cards to desktops. i have already purchased an msi gm965 mother board and plan on using an intel core 2 duo t7700 so my understanding is i'll need more wattage than a m1/m2-atx can provide. can anyone confirm one way or the other that an opus 320w psu will fit inside the morex 5677 case, because that is the one i'd really like to use.

M2-ATX runs a T7600 fine.

I built a system using the C137 Case and the sellers said there was no place for the M2 (ITX "experts" supposedly). When I got it in (bought on e-bay instead), there were 2 holes right in front of the motherboard that the M2 fits in perfectly, so I am guessing it was designed with M2 in mind as alternative power. Looking at the picture, I really don't know how the "experts" could miss it.

Bottom line is, you never know till you see it. And hey, duct tape works wonders! lol

**BLACKonBLACK98** · 05-19-2008, 09:22 PM

thats kind of how i felt about it so i went ahead and ordered what i hoped would work. that looks like a huge case.

**danielkh** · 05-19-2008, 09:31 PM

Originally Posted by BLACKonBLACK98

thats kind of how i felt about it so i went ahead and ordered what i hoped would work. that looks like a huge case.

The C137 is made for 2 PCI cards to be added. However, it is thin enough to fit under most seats. Gain in some areas, lose in others. The right edge is just outside the frame of the picture. Here is a more complete idea. I have another case that is extremely narrow, but tall. Haven't decided for sure which one I will go with and keep, or which I will sell. Leaning towards "under the seat", but the other case matches my car.