Micro ATX/Video Card

[m]

I am looking at building a new rig and considering using a micro ATX MB. I
am concerned about adding a video card like the X1900PRO to a box this
small. First, would that video card physically fit in most micro-ATX boxes?
Second, would there be a heatload problem?

I welcome any recommendations on cases for this type of setup if it you
recommend it.

Thanks!

 

[RussellS]

I am looking at building a new rig and considering using a micro ATX MB. I
am concerned about adding a video card like the X1900PRO to a box this
small. First, would that video card physically fit in most micro-ATX
boxes? Second, would there be a heatload problem?

I welcome any recommendations on cases for this type of setup if it you
recommend it.

Thanks!

------------------------------------------------------------------------
This card will fit in some Micro-ATX cases. Check dimensions at the
manufacturer's site to be sure.
One suggestion:
http://www.coolermaster.com/index.p...541&other_title=RC-541Centurion Micro ATX 541
This case comes with 2 80mm rear fanmounts and 1 120mm front fanmount, but
you have to buy your own fans. The positions of the fans in this case are
advantageous for keeping a graphics card cool, and the motherboard mounts
upside-down, similar to a BTX setup, to improve cooling further.

-Russell
http://tastycomputers.com

 

[OSbandito]

I am looking at building a new rig and considering using a micro ATX MB. I
am concerned about adding a video card like the X1900PRO to a box this
small. First, would that video card physically fit in most micro-ATX boxes?
Second, would there be a heatload problem?

I welcome any recommendations on cases for this type of setup if it you
recommend it.

Thanks!

There's always a heat problem with computers. Blow up a storm with good
fans.
Why go with the mini? You might miss extra slots in future.

 

[Paul]

I am looking at building a new rig and considering using a micro ATX MB. I
am concerned about adding a video card like the X1900PRO to a box this
small. First, would that video card physically fit in most micro-ATX boxes?
Second, would there be a heatload problem?

I welcome any recommendations on cases for this type of setup if it you
recommend it.

Thanks!

If the video card is a dual slot design, such that the video card exhaust
leaves the computer immediately, that will help with the heat load. You
may want to read the reviews for the product you plan to buy, in the
Newegg customer reviews section, and if they say the card is loud, then
you'll know what to expect.

This card appears to be a single slot, and lower power consumption.
Makes it hard to decide which is a better approach - high power card,
with second slot exhaust, or lower power card, which appears to
exhaust into the computer case.

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/x1950pro-gf7900gs_4.html

A situation to avoid, is buying a card, and then immediately being forced
to shop for a third party cooler. If it looks like a card is hard to
cool, then shop for a brand of card with a good cooler on it. Some
people are butter-fingers when it comes to installing third party
coolers, and nobody wants to ruin an expensive video card.

If you look at pictures on Newegg, for the video card, then look at
pictures of the motherboard, you should get a good idea as to whether
the length will be an issue or not. If the motherboard you plan
on buying, has an inferior cooling solution for the chipset,
you may end up replacing the cooler on the Northbridge, in which
case you'd want to own a video card that won't get in the way of
that modification. Think ahead if possible. There are some nice
Northbridge coolers, but they do tend to get in the way.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835108072

Paul

 

[Mike T.]

I am looking at building a new rig and considering using a micro ATX MB.

So far so good.

I am concerned about adding a video card like the X1900PRO to a box this
small.

What box? You only mentioned the mainboard so far. An X1900PRO should work
beautifully in the vast majority of cases that will accept matx mainboards.

First, would that video card physically fit in most micro-ATX boxes?
Yes

Second, would there be a heatload problem?

Can't answer that unless we know what case you choose. But probably not.

I welcome any recommendations on cases for this type of setup if it you
recommend it.

Well that's totally up to personal tastes, but I like the following, after
building a couple of systems with it. I wouldn't recommend it if you are
the type to upgrade frequently, as I don't think it is sturdy enough for
that. But if you just want to build a system and use it for several years,
it's great. Get a couple of quiet 80mm fans for the side of it (blowing
in), and heat will NOT be a problem. -Dave

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811156018

 

[m]

Thank you for all the responses on the question. Aftering reviewing the
issue I realized the vast majority of what I thought were just mini-ATX
cases also accept ATX boards, they're just mini-towers. So it makes sense
to spend a few $$$ more and get an ATX board with more slots.

 

[T Shadow]

My last build started in a Uatx case. The power supply burnt out after
adding a second HDD in the floppy bay. At the time couldn't find a bigger
power supply for Uatx so bought a mini case. Now have full selection on
power supply and can mount drives farther apart for better heat dissipation.
Wouldn't buy another Uatx case.

 

[OSbandito]

Get a couple of quiet 80mm fans for the side of it (blowing
in), and heat will NOT be a problem. -Dave

God bless you for your good luck with fans. I've had fans go
intermittent,
dead, noisy and slow. Doesn't take much of a heat spike to do damage. I
know you're already aware of this but 'm' might want to keep close tabs
on these critters.