Windows 7: I thought how slick...but now?

linnemeyerhere · 05 Oct 2010

I replaced my first self built rig's case with a new Thermaltake Element V case. Leaving behind a perfect Ultra mid tower case which I had grand plans to install the mobo and many other components from a nice? Gateway GT5220 desktop. But as I did more due diligence getting ready to switch it out I see the Gateways mobo is a uBTX style? Looking at it closely it appears it's not compatible with this Ultra X-Blaster mid tower. I guess manufactures choose these odd ball configurations just so the end user can't do upgrades and is forced to buy a new machine. What say you? Best to just leave the mobo where it is, after all the machine works well enough and look to get some combo CPU-Mobo combo deal to put in the Ultra?

Gateway Support - 1009151*Gateway GT5220 Media Center Computer

Ultra X-Blaster Black ATX Mid-Tower Case & Diablotek PHD 650W ATX Power Supply Bundle ULT33178 w/PHD650 at TigerDirect

ken9122 · 05 Oct 2010

"What say you? Best to just leave the mobo where it is, after all the machine works well enough and look to get some combo CPU-Mobo combo deal to put in the Ultra?"

Yes I think so.

boohbah · 05 Oct 2010

thats beyond me friend ,but i do think its a nice tower and deffinately a keeper.
i dont normally step in this forum,so im going to creep back out ...quietly. nice to see you alan

Doh! ,door banged

linnemeyerhere · 05 Oct 2010

Yeah I think your both right, I'm just bummed as I was hoping to recycle and reuse this Gateway. But really I will just leave well enough alone and look towards a new build, it's just that I don't really need or use all seven computers in the house...lol. Time to sell some off.
Cheers, the Cheese

Outlander · 05 Oct 2010

If there is physical space in the case for the board you can always drill holes and install new brass stand-offs to match the new board. Done it a couple of times and it's not that hard......Just practice a couple of times on a piece if scrap sheet metal.

Lordbob75 · 05 Oct 2010

Quote: Originally Posted by Outlander

If there is physical space in the case for the board you can always drill holes and install new brass stand-offs to match the new board. Done it a couple of times and it's not that hard......Just practice a couple of times on a piece if scrap sheet metal.

Not a bad idea, but needs to be EXACT.

~Lordbob

Outlander · 05 Oct 2010

Correct. Alignment must be precise but that's do-able.

linnemeyerhere · 05 Oct 2010

It's a thought and I may still give it a go, but I'm thinking that it could be kind of an exercise because it's not like the board is that great and it has zero overclocking or even faster chip upgrade potential, although again this is what Gateway wants me to believe?! They tell me the 45 watt 2.0 mhz dual core is it for the board.

Everlong · 06 Oct 2010

I thought BTX was completely different and not as simple as just drilling holes. The whole placement is different on the actual motherboard for components.

thefabe · 06 Oct 2010

Quote: Originally Posted by Everlong

I thought BTX was completely different and not as simple as just drilling holes. The whole placement is different on the actual motherboard for components.

I think you are definitely correct. Here is a Asus B5LD2-TVM Intel 945G Socket 775 UBTX motherboard.

I thought how slick...but now?-asus-b5ld2-tvm-intel-945g-sockiet-775-ubtx-motherboard..png

As you can see the orientation of the I/O is upside down as well as the card slot locations. Looks like a daunting task. Fabe

Windows 7: I thought how slick...but now?

I thought how slick...but now? problems?