This may seem dumb, but I'm about to spent a lot of a clients money for a PC system, and you just have to be sure, ya know?

Will a Micro ATX motherboard bolt into an ATX case without any problems?

[This message has been edited by IEatRice (edited 10-27-2006).]

It depends, man, It really depends... It SHOULD... Most cases come with either a few rear plates that you can swap out to fit the ports/adapters/whathaveyous in the back of the MoBo, others have cut-outs that you can bend/snap out depending on whether or not the MoBo has that thingie on it (like firewire, usbs, optical audio out, etc..

Any reason why you wanna use miniATX form factor?

[This message has been edited by FieroRumor (edited 10-27-2006).]

quote Originally posted by FieroRumor: It depends, man, It really depends... It SHOULD... Most cases come with either a few rear plates that you can swap out to fit the ports/adapters/whathaveyous in the back of the MoBo, others have cut-outs that you can bend/snap out depending on whether or not the MoBo has that thingie on it (like firewire, usbs, optical audio out, etc.. Any reason why you wanna use miniATX form factor?

Part of it is I want to see what this NVIDIA business platform certified business is all about. Part of it is I can't seem to find a motherboard that is 939 platform that I like for this particular build. Part of it is I am using a small case anyway and I just want to ensure fit.

mostly - yes, it will. but, much depends on the who made the case. most full size cases have mounting points for several boards, including mini boards.

If ya look at those boards, (if those are pics of the actual boards)they are all either THIS:


or this:


(note the subtle swap in audio and nic/usb ports.)

All the mini's I have built have been either of these two, and they all fit in the cases.

Just remember ---> with smaller cases, route the wires and cables so you have good airflow. They tend to run hotter due to small space + hot components...


Have fun and eat bacon.

I'm using the Lian Li PC-V600 case and the GIGABYTE GA-K8N51PVM9-RH motherboard. I know it doesn't look like a small case, but it is, here's a size comparison next to a full ATX Lian Li.

mobo makers usually ship a filler plug that is stamped for that particular board and the plug fits into a standard cut out on the case backplane. If the case is an atx form, either tower or minitower the cutout should be the same size.

I wouldn't mess with 939 processors anyway. They're on the way out- AM2 is the latest. socket 939/940 processors are fading fast. You'll basically you're going to have socket 754 which is 64bit, single core, and AM2 wich is AMD's dual core.

This is a nice little board : http://www.msicomputer.com/product/p_spec.asp?model=K9MM-V&class=mb takes the AM2 processor, DDR2 memory and will fit in an ATX case just fine.

[This message has been edited by Taijiguy (edited 10-27-2006).]

quote Originally posted by Taijiguy: I wouldn't mess with 939 processors anyway. They're on the way out- AM2 is the latest. socket 939/940 processors are fading fast. You'll basically you're going to have socket 754 which is 64bit, single core, and AM2 wich is AMD's dual core. This is a nice little board : http://www.msicomputer.com/product/p_spec.asp?model=K9MM-V&class=mb takes the AM2 processor, DDR2 memory and will fit in an ATX case just fine.

Huh? Taji, they phased out the socket 754. Try to find a 754 processor at Newegg or other places. They're gone.

quote Originally posted by Taijiguy: I wouldn't mess with 939 processors anyway. They're on the way out- AM2 is the latest. socket 939/940 processors are fading fast. You'll basically you're going to have socket 754 which is 64bit, single core, and AM2 wich is AMD's dual core. This is a nice little board : http://www.msicomputer.com/product/p_spec.asp?model=K9MM-V&class=mb takes the AM2 processor, DDR2 memory and will fit in an ATX case just fine.

If you look at the specs (CPU charts) between 939 and AM2 processors, there's not much difference for the price. There wont be until the new X2's (around Xmas) and Quad Cores (late spring) are released. Right now its just not worth it. Plus a 939 X2 4800+ will handle what my client needs from a computer without a problem.

[This message has been edited by IEatRice (edited 10-28-2006).]

I have to 2nd the AM2 choice. It is not much if any more than a S939 and you get to run DDR2 as a bonus.

However back to your original post.

99% of cases and board vender's will work together. If you are using a small case, they must be aware that some people will choose to use a mATX board so I will bet money you won't have any problems.

Personally I prefer to use Full Tower ATX cases My current case is a 19" tall all aluminum case with a full size ATX board. There is nothing like having room to work inside the case and stuff it full of as many drives and gear as you need.

Just make sure you have adequate cooling and try to use SATA drives for reduced cable clutter.

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quote Originally posted by aceman: Huh? Taji, they phased out the socket 754. Try to find a 754 processor at Newegg or other places. They're gone.

Really? Hmm...maybe you better inform Newegg, they don't seem to know that.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?Brand=1028&N=50001028&Submit=ENE&Manufactory=1028&Description=socket+754&Ntk=all
Maybe you're thinking of socket 462's. Those are history, the Athlons and Seprons were the same socket format under 462.

The Socket 754's are the 64 bit Seprons (single core). Athlons are the socket socket 939's. Although, things are changing VERY FAST right now, and they introduce new architectures and change the names around so fast recently I have a hard time keeping up.

900 pins?

940 to be exact. Hard to believe ain't it? Man, you don't want to get them bent either, holy crap is THAT a pain!