PII Case vs P4 Case

[Marty]

I wish to gut my PII machine to rebuild as a P4. Many of the stores I
go to tell me I have to have a new case. When I look at MB specs.,
the measurements are the same as my P2 MB.
Can someone explain why I need a new case?
Thanks for any help.

Marty in Brantford

 

[Ralph Mowery]

I wish to gut my PII machine to rebuild as a P4. Many of the stores I

go to tell me I have to have a new case. When I look at MB specs.,
the measurements are the same as my P2 MB.
Can someone explain why I need a new case?
Thanks for any help.

Mainly the power supply. It needs to have the extra P4 type of power
connector on it.
Also it the Pll an AT or ATX style case ?

 

[ric]

I wish to gut my PII machine to rebuild as a P4. Many of the stores I
go to tell me I have to have a new case. When I look at MB specs.,
the measurements are the same as my P2 MB.
Can someone explain why I need a new case?

You don't. Maybe a new PSU (with a ATX12V connector) though.

 

[ric]

1. Verify that the standoffs holes are the same. We are talking
placing an ATX motherboard in an AT case here. Simple, just put a
board in there and look if all the holes are aligned. If you love the
old case you can always drill new holes.

2. PII (or AT cases) tend to have push-on/push-off power switches, P4
ATX mobo needs momentary-on switches. If you love your old case, you
can certainly replace the switches yourself.

Uh, IIRC the majority of PII systems (including my two) were ATX
*not* AT systems. The OP didn't say they were AT. Just that they
were PII.

 

[Alan in Boise]

The power supply will have different hookups. If the P4 board will actually
fit into the old case you may be able to put in a new power supply to work
with your P4 CPU. The screw down points for the new board will have to
match screw down points in your old case. Also the motherboards may not
have the same input/output configuration to fit the old case. If they are
all the same then all you will need is a new power supply.

You can also online order cases and power supplies pretty cheap. Choice is
yours. Good luck with the build.

Alan in Boise

 

[Larc]

| The power supply will have different hookups. If the P4 board will actually
| fit into the old case you may be able to put in a new power supply to work
| with your P4 CPU. The screw down points for the new board will have to
| match screw down points in your old case. Also the motherboards may not
| have the same input/output configuration to fit the old case. If they are
| all the same then all you will need is a new power supply.

Many motherboards come with a bezel to solve input/output configuration
problems. Other than power supplies, the biggest obstacle to using Pentium or
Pentium II-type cases that I've noticed is the power switch. The older cases
usually have toggle-type on/off switches, but they are often easily replaceable.
As for mounting stations, better quality cases — and I doubt anybody would want
to go to the trouble of converting a cheapie — were almost always flexible in
the mounting accommodation department.

Larc



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[Stacey]

I wish to gut my PII machine to rebuild as a P4. Many of the stores I
go to tell me I have to have a new case. When I look at MB specs.,
the measurements are the same as my P2 MB.
Can someone explain why I need a new case?

Mainly the power supply isn't large enough wattage wise and doesn't have the
P4 board connector. Also some P2 cases don't have very good cooling so
might be better to get something new. Main thing I look for is intake vents
on the bottom of the power suppy which helps a bunch in getting the heat
away from the CPU. Between that and a rear case fan to remove the heat from
the video card is all I've ever needed.

 

[Stacey]

| The power supply will have different hookups. If the P4 board will
| actually fit into the old case you may be able to put in a new power
| supply to work
| with your P4 CPU. The screw down points for the new board will have to
| match screw down points in your old case. Also the motherboards may
| not
| have the same input/output configuration to fit the old case. If they
| are all the same then all you will need is a new power supply.

Many motherboards come with a bezel to solve input/output configuration
problems. Other than power supplies, the biggest obstacle to using
Pentium or
Pentium II-type cases that I've noticed is the power switch. The older
cases usually have toggle-type on/off switches, but they are often easily
replaceable.

Almost any case that has a toggle switch is an AT case which has a totally
different layout (remember the AT style keyboard connector?) and an ATX
board won't fit. Most P2's used the ATX layout which doesn't have that
kind of switch.