[Resolved] Case Swap?

fordktpjoe · 07-04-2007

I recently purchased an old Gateway PC from a buddy at work ($100) that has a Nina Micro ATX case (one of those that lay flat on top of the desk) does anyone know if I can swap all the guts into a mid tower? I have some parts I'd like to put into it to upgrade it a bit for the kids, but none of them will fit because it takes "half height" video cards and such.

The only info I could find on the Gateway website when I put in the serial number has the motherboard listed as "Intel (Essex 2) Pentium 4 - 2.4GHz (533MHz) R0. Memory is listed as DDR 256-MB PC 266B 32X8 I had an old 512 stick lying around and stuck that in which now gives it 768, so that worked at least.

It's not my primary PC so it's not really that big of a deal, was just hoping to have something to slap my old Radeon 8500 in.

Gandalf · 07-05-2007

You should be able to install components from a lay down case into a mid tower.
Components like HDD and CD drives are fairly standard size wise.
You may have an issue with the motherboard. Sometimes motherboards are safety grounded with screws through the board and into the chassis, but I'm sure there are members here who can advise you on that score.

Good Luck

fordktpjoe · 07-05-2007

KEWL! Thanks!

I'll look thru Tiger Direct and pick up a cheap case, that way if it doesn't work, I'm not out that much cash!

ih8bills · 07-05-2007

Originally Posted by fordktpjoe

KEWL! Thanks! I'll look thru Tiger Direct and pick up a cheap case, that way if it doesn't work, I'm not out that much cash!

Just for prevention's sake-- I would check to see if the BIOS will support that video card...

07-04-2007	#1
fordktpjoe Bronze Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 28	[Resolved] Case Swap? I recently purchased an old Gateway PC from a buddy at work ($100) that has a Nina Micro ATX case (one of those that lay flat on top of the desk) does anyone know if I can swap all the guts into a mid tower? I have some parts I'd like to put into it to upgrade it a bit for the kids, but none of them will fit because it takes "half height" video cards and such. The only info I could find on the Gateway website when I put in the serial number has the motherboard listed as "Intel (Essex 2) Pentium 4 - 2.4GHz (533MHz) R0. Memory is listed as DDR 256-MB PC 266B 32X8 I had an old 512 stick lying around and stuck that in which now gives it 768, so that worked at least. It's not my primary PC so it's not really that big of a deal, was just hoping to have something to slap my old Radeon 8500 in.

07-05-2007	#2
Gandalf Elite Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: California, USA Posts: 4,407 PC Experience: PC Guru	You should be able to install components from a lay down case into a mid tower. Components like HDD and CD drives are fairly standard size wise. You may have an issue with the motherboard. Sometimes motherboards are safety grounded with screws through the board and into the chassis, but I'm sure there are members here who can advise you on that score. Good Luck __________________ Klaatu Barada Nikto < Pre-Work ><CPUID>< SFC >< AV Scan >< BSOD >< Belarc ><How-To Geek> Join the PC Help Forum WCG Team and fight cancer with us!

07-05-2007	#4
ih8bills Tech Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: coastal Rhode Island Posts: 4,633 PC Experience: More Stubborn than any PC	Originally Posted by fordktpjoe KEWL! Thanks! I'll look thru Tiger Direct and pick up a cheap case, that way if it doesn't work, I'm not out that much cash! Just for prevention's sake-- I would check to see if the BIOS will support that video card... __________________ Registry Cleaner PREWORK HiJack This Windows Services Guide Without music, life would be a mistake Friedrich Nietzsche

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07-05-2007	#3
fordktpjoe Bronze Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 28	KEWL! Thanks! I'll look thru Tiger Direct and pick up a cheap case, that way if it doesn't work, I'm not out that much cash!