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first build concerns

p_little

Weaksauce
Joined
May 2, 2005
Messages
83
I realize that this is probably stupid, but I just want to know for certain before I get bung-hole deep into my first build and see that I missed a big step. I have a case from and old Gateway that I bought back in 2001, and I'm in the process of gutting it and doing everything new again. I'm wanting to know if anyone knows if I would have any problems in attaching the new equipment that I buy into this case. It is about mid-size, it that helps any.
 
A pic would help. inside and out if you can.
 
I don't have a webcam (or any other cam) handy to get pics of it I was just wondering if there would be any changes from then to now. The mobo area had about 9 small screws around the outside edge, 4 around the processor, and one large one near the center.
 
It measures about 18x18 inches on the outside. It is not as big as my friend's Dell XPS case, but it is pretty good sized.
 
Your case is probably a standard ATX case which should fit any board these days. Just make sure the board is not bigger than standard ATX like some server mobo. Any chance you know what model Gateway it was?
 
All that I can find besides serial numbers is that it is a Performance 1400CS. That sounds about like what I remember buying. I got it back in 2001 for school stuff, and I didn't know very much about computers back then. I don't know much now, but at least now I have an idea of what I need to have for what I'm going to do. I just wanted to make sure that a regular mobo and PSU would fit in.
 
Standard ATX hasn't changed and ATX power supplies have never changed.

The only issues you may face would be:
1) Was the motherboard some kind of strange proprietary board? I've a stack of old HP/Compaq cases in my basement that I can't use for anything because the boards were strange proprietary design.
2) Are you getting a large board? The holes may not line up.
3) Are you getting a large board? Depending on the layout of the case I've had problems installing optical drives in some cases because the drive back hits capacitors/etc on the new motherboard. Depending on all the parts you might also have problems routing the cables. There may not be much room in there. 18" x 18" exterior is really not very large at all when you consider the depth of a CD drive is about 7" and larger ATX boards are 10".

Depending on just how much of it you're replacing you might be better off just running out to Microcenter/CompUSA/whatever and buying a cheap $30 case for your build. I don't remember the last time I built new-ish in a case less than about 20" deep.
 
Well, the current CD drive leaves about 1 or 2 inches between it and the PSU. But I don't really have an issue in dropping a few more for a case, it is just that changes the budget around somewhat.

Plus, the PSU just sorta slides into a couple of holes and latches into place. I've read on some of the newer ones that they screw in and I don't have the stuff for that.
 
Wow... the PSU installs with something like a drive rail? I can't think of any time I've actually seen that.

In that case, you're going to need a new case. Unless there are rails on the current PSU that you can pull off and somehow retro to a new PSU you'll be stuck. ATX power supplies do connect using 4 screws on the back panel of the unit.

Still, I wouldn't change the plan. You're really only talking about $30. It sounds more like you're building a machine to use, rather than one to look at. eBay parts that you're not going to re-use from the old machine. Call them "*RARE* Gateway collectables" and someone will probably buy it.

I am the proud owner of a DIP-chip RAM board I bought from eBay a couple years ago... it was just cool and retro. You'll be amazed what people will actually buy there. :)
 
Yeah, I'll probably box up the whole thing and sell it as a mystery box of computer parts with an older P4. It actually had a P4 in it as old as what it is, but of course they don't make mobos or anything for it anymore.

Maybe I'll get a few bucks out of it all.
 
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