Question about mounting a power supply

[billmurray22]

Hi all,

Building my first computer and need some advice about mounting the
PSU. I expected my case to come with some sort of "bay" (metal cage
like HDD bays and FDD bays) for the PSU, but it didn't. Just got off
the phone with local PC parts store and they say you "don't need one"
for the PSU. So perhaps this is normal and I just don't know it.

Anyways, I am struggling to see what I can mount my PSU to, and how I
can keep it steadily in place. Also, the back of the case has a
large, strangely-shaped opening (where the power cord will connect to
the PSU). If I really don't need a PSU bay or cage of some sort, then
there will definitely be some unsightly gaps in that area--large
enough to stick your finger past the PSU and right inside the PC!

I'm thinking I'll just try to custom make my own bay and mount the PSU
to it (so I can keep those gaps closed and keep the PSU steadily in
place). But hell, that seems kinda ridiculous doesn't it? Anybody
else have to build their own little "receptacle" for their PSU??

TIA,

Bill

 

[JAD]

usually the PSU is held in place by screws passing through the top / rear of case and then into the psu.

YMMV

 

[Overlord]

Hi all,

Building my first computer and need some advice about mounting the
PSU. I expected my case to come with some sort of "bay" (metal cage
like HDD bays and FDD bays) for the PSU, but it didn't. Just got off
the phone with local PC parts store and they say you "don't need one"
for the PSU. So perhaps this is normal and I just don't know it.

Anyways, I am struggling to see what I can mount my PSU to, and how I
can keep it steadily in place. Also, the back of the case has a
large, strangely-shaped opening (where the power cord will connect to
the PSU). If I really don't need a PSU bay or cage of some sort, then
there will definitely be some unsightly gaps in that area--large
enough to stick your finger past the PSU and right inside the PC!

That's because you're putting a modern ATX PS into an older AT tower.
The opening is sort of L shaped?

I'm thinking I'll just try to custom make my own bay and mount the PSU
to it (so I can keep those gaps closed and keep the PSU steadily in
place). But hell, that seems kinda ridiculous doesn't it? Anybody
else have to build their own little "receptacle" for their PSU??

TIA,

Bill

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[billmurray22]

That's because you're putting a modern ATX PS into an older AT tower.
The opening is sort of L shaped?

Actually no, the case is brand new and has fittings for AT, ATX, and
mini-ATX. Here's an ASCII version of what the opening looks like:

____________
____________________________/ \
\
\
|
____________________________ |
\______________/


It kinda looks like a fat microphone. And my chosen PSU will only
take up about 85% of that. Anyways, the PSU does have screw holes in
the side that should be facing outward. So I think I'm just going to
custom cut a piece of sheet aluminum to cover up the "gaps" and still
allow the power prongs and fan of the PSU to be facing out.

I'm thinking I'll just try to custom make my own bay and mount the PSU
to it (so I can keep those gaps closed and keep the PSU steadily in
place). But hell, that seems kinda ridiculous doesn't it? Anybody
else have to build their own little "receptacle" for their PSU??

TIA,

Bill

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[Gary W. Swearingen]

So I think I'm just going to
custom cut a piece of sheet aluminum to cover up the "gaps" and still
allow the power prongs and fan of the PSU to be facing out.

Consider leaving the gaps alone (or cover with grounded wire mesh to
block EMI) and just use them for additional airflow. Cases should
have lots of open holes near the PSU, IMO. See my post to follow soon
with the subject "a filtered-air case cooling design".

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[Matt]

Actually no, the case is brand new and has fittings for AT, ATX, and
mini-ATX. Here's an ASCII version of what the opening looks like:

____________
____________________________/ \
\
\
|
____________________________ |
\______________/


It kinda looks like a fat microphone. And my chosen PSU will only
take up about 85% of that. Anyways, the PSU does have screw holes in
the side that should be facing outward. So I think I'm just going to
custom cut a piece of sheet aluminum to cover up the "gaps" and still
allow the power prongs and fan of the PSU to be facing out.

Well, I can hardly believe it. Are you sure the case came new with all
the parts? Talk to whoever you bought the case from.

www.formfactors.org might help.

 

[billmurray22]

Consider leaving the gaps alone (or cover with grounded wire mesh to
block EMI) and just use them for additional airflow. Cases should
have lots of open holes near the PSU, IMO. See my post to follow soon
with the subject "a filtered-air case cooling design".

I thought about doing that. However, most cases are carefully
designed to promote internal airflow. Introducing extra "holes" in
the case might actually allow cool air to escape (which is one of the
main reasons for leaving those little blanks in place even when
PCI/ISA slots are unused). I should have just paid the extra $30
bucks and bought the case which came with a mounted PSU! LOL