A case for a 15" mobo.

[greyproc]

I've got an ATX compatible motherboard that just happens to be 14.5"
high. The mounting screws etc are all normal around the top, it's just
a pinch longer. I can't seem to find anything that would fit this.
I've actually got some cases that are 22-24" inches, and my Antec case
looks like it could handle about 14" with a bit of encouragement, but
it's not enough.

So, anyone have any thoughts? I have seen the SWTX cases by
Supermicro, but I don't have $1000 to spend on it (or, for that
matter, $300 just to see if an Addtronics one will be enough).

A case that I can move the motherboard backplane up 2" would work as
well, but all I've seen, the powersupply base is divetted in, as is
the backplane for the peripherials.

Other than making my own with plexiglass, does anyone know of anything
out there that might help me?

Thanks!

 

[Paul]

I've got an ATX compatible motherboard that just happens to be 14.5"
high. The mounting screws etc are all normal around the top, it's just
a pinch longer. I can't seem to find anything that would fit this.
I've actually got some cases that are 22-24" inches, and my Antec case
looks like it could handle about 14" with a bit of encouragement, but
it's not enough.

So, anyone have any thoughts? I have seen the SWTX cases by
Supermicro, but I don't have $1000 to spend on it (or, for that
matter, $300 just to see if an Addtronics one will be enough).

A case that I can move the motherboard backplane up 2" would work as
well, but all I've seen, the powersupply base is divetted in, as is
the backplane for the peripherials.

Other than making my own with plexiglass, does anyone know of anything
out there that might help me?

Thanks!

Sometimes Tyan has computer case recommendations for their server
motherboards. You can see some examples here, for a Tyan quad
processor board.

http://www.tyan.com/archive/support/html/r_s4882.html

They mention a Coolermaster case as an option, and I don't know
if this one is close to doing the job or not. It lists W-ATX
13"x16" as an option. Coolermaster might make more than one model
that looks like this, so check the model number carefully.

"CM Stacker 810 ATX (RC-810)"
http://www.coolermaster.com/index.p...ial=RC-810&other_title=+RC-810+CM+Stacker+810

You might want to check the dimensions on your power solution
as well. You've got more to fit than just the motherboard.

Paul

 

[greyproc]

Thank you for the quick reply; I checked out the links. That case
would be nice, but it's the wrong way: I need 16x13! I've actually
broken down and emailed both Antec and Addtronics, but have not as yet
gotten a reply. It looks like I'm just going to have to buy a
'normal' motherboard, which sucks since this particular one has many
yummy features (that most people could care less about --- integrated
post codes, better voltage regulators, etc) and since I didn't have to
buy it, made economical sense. On the other hand, as a validation
board, its whole life has been spent on foam. As I want to make it my
'main' system, I'm a bit leery of just leaving it that way (great for
playing around, not so great when you need to depend on your system).

I know I still have the plexiglass option, but, timewise, that's not
so feasible.

Anyway, thanks again for reply!

 

[Paul]

Thank you for the quick reply; I checked out the links. That case
would be nice, but it's the wrong way: I need 16x13! I've actually
broken down and emailed both Antec and Addtronics, but have not as yet
gotten a reply. It looks like I'm just going to have to buy a
'normal' motherboard, which sucks since this particular one has many
yummy features (that most people could care less about --- integrated
post codes, better voltage regulators, etc) and since I didn't have to
buy it, made economical sense. On the other hand, as a validation
board, its whole life has been spent on foam. As I want to make it my
'main' system, I'm a bit leery of just leaving it that way (great for
playing around, not so great when you need to depend on your system).

I know I still have the plexiglass option, but, timewise, that's not
so feasible.

Anyway, thanks again for reply!

The first step in finding a case, is finding the name of the motherboard
form factor. Whether it is SSI MEB or W-ATX and so on. Motherboard
dimensions should not be randomly selected, because if they were,
nobody could make cases for them all. The motherboard makers and the
case makers, have to agree on where the standoffs go. Without standards,
there would be no way to package stuff. Find some documentation
for the motherboard first. Then, you may be able to use the Tyan
web site, find a motherboard following a similar standard, then
see what Tyan recommends for a case.

If you post back the name of the standard being used, that might
increase your chances that someone knows of a solution.

Another place to look, is the forums on 2cpu.com , as they tend to
deal with more server systems and issues.

Paul

 

[greyproc]

The standard being used is ATX --- it's just that it's a bit longer.
I'll check out the 2cpu.com forums, but this really isn't a server
board, just a (non-standard) atx one.

Augh, since I'm posting via my browser, can't toss up a picture.
Bleh. Anyway, it'll fit in any case width wise, it's just the height
that's the problem. Actually, I could get away with just 14", because
the connectors to the left of the keyboard/mouse connectors (as you're
staring at it from the back) aren't ones that I need. Still, finding
14" seems to be frustrating.