Which case to fit my Motherboard ?

[jooohn]

Hi guys,

I got issue with my mobo. This model:
GIGABYTE - Motherboard - Socket 2011 - GA-X79-UD5 (rev. 1.0)

I am using big tower now from Gigabyte Sumo 5115 and mobo fits there OK, but this case is huge and heavy and i need some mid tower for this, due to traveling. I tried to use Zalman Z3 Plus, but mobo estimates width with 1cm - about half of inch.

Can you please advise me something similar to that zalman case ? Quality and price. Will my mobo fit any mid tower case ? If not can you advise me some other case which will be more compact and cooling well ?

Budget about 50-60 dollars.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

That's an EATX form factor motherboard.

They are uncommon and larger than standard ATX motherboards and will not fit into most mid-tower cases.

You may be restricted to full tower cases. I checked the specifications on several mid-towers and did not find one that would accept an EATX motherboard.

Most full tower cases are going to be more than $60.

You could go to somewhere like Newegg and sort through motherboards by size. Look at the "specification" tab for each motherboard and see if the "motherboard compatibility" includes EATX.

Refurbished: NZXT Source 530 CS-NT-CA-SO530-M1 Matte Black Steel / Plastic ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Newegg.com

Above is one that would work, but it's a full tower and $75. It may not be any smaller than what you have.

You may have to switch to an ATX or micro ATX motherboard if you really need a significantly smaller case.

 

[jooohn]

Very much thanks for this clarification.

That's an EATX form factor motherboard.

They are uncommon and larger than standard ATX motherboards and will not fit into most mid-tower cases.

You may be restricted to full tower cases. I checked the specifications on several mid-towers and did not find one that would accept an EATX motherboard.

Most full tower cases are going to be more than $60.

You could go to somewhere like Newegg and sort through motherboards by size. Look at the "specification" tab for each motherboard and see if the "motherboard compatibility" includes EATX.

Refurbished: NZXT Source 530 CS-NT-CA-SO530-M1 Matte Black Steel / Plastic ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Newegg.com

Above is one that would work, but it's a full tower and $75. It may not be any smaller than what you have.

You may have to switch to an ATX or micro ATX motherboard if you really need a significantly smaller case.

 

[jooohn]

I have tried this site, but I have no idea how to list exact cases with EATX, could you please give me a simple step by step guide how to get this filter ? :shock:

That's an EATX form factor motherboard.

You could go to somewhere like Newegg and sort through motherboards by size. Look at the "specification" tab for each motherboard and see if the "motherboard compatibility" includes EATX.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I have tried this site, but I have no idea how to list exact cases with EATX, could you please give me a simple step by step guide how to get this filter ? :shock:

That's an EATX form factor motherboard.

You could go to somewhere like Newegg and sort through motherboards by size. Look at the "specification" tab for each motherboard and see if the "motherboard compatibility" includes EATX.

I don't think there is a filter for EATX as such.

As I previously stated, you need to look at the specification tab in the details and see what it says next to "motherboard compatibility".

Look at 10 random mid-tower cases and see if you see any that say they are compatible with EATX. Possible, but unlikely. I gave up after looking at a few. That leaves you with full towers, and I doubt if all full towers will take an EATX board.

For instance, this Antec 900 case says ATX and m-ATX. So it won't work for you.

You can also enter EATX or E-ATX as a search term in the Newegg search box, but I wouldn't trust the results. It may still show you cases that won't work. You'd still have to look at the specification tab.

Or you could just Google for "EATX cases" or something like that.

Offhand, I don't think you are going to find a case that will take your motherboard that is significantly smaller than what you have. You'd have to decide if you are willing to change motherboards (to ATX or micro ATX) and then get a significantly smaller case.

Midtowers are usually around 17 or 18 inches tall. Full towers are more like 21 or 22 tall.

And a full tower case for 60 bucks is a rare bird.

There are other dealers such as Directron, Amazon, and TigerDirect, but I don't know if you'll be able to filter for EATX at those sites either.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Here's a few cheaper ones. I have no idea if they are smaller than what you have. All are full tower.

Rosewill RISE Black ATX Full Tower Dual PSU Computer Case, support up to E-ATX, come with Four Fans-3x Front 120mm Fan, 1x Rear 140mm Fan - Newegg.com

Rosewill ARMOR-EVO Black Steel E-ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Newegg.com

NZXT Source 530 CA-SO530-M1 Matte Black Steel / Plastic ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Newegg.com

Rosewill THOR V2 Gaming ATX Full Tower Computer Case, support up to E-ATX / XL-ATX, come with Four Fans - 1 x Front Red LED 230mm Fan, 1 x Top 230mm Fan, 1 x Side 230mm Fan, 1 x Rear 140mm Fan-Retail - Newegg.com

IN WIN GRone Gray 0.8mm SECC Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Newegg.com

 

[jooohn]

Yeah, I did understand previous post, but I thought there is such "magic" filter, because I already saw somewhere some comment about it but that filter is useless. I also tried to google it and I could find some cases.

But still I got one question. I already have here mid-tower from Zalman Z3 Plus and I can't fit mother board because of 1cm metal thing which is in my way, but if I remove that thing, would my mother board fit those screws ?

Because once I damage case I can not return it

 

[ignatzatsonic]

What does your research tell you about whether or not the Zalman case will accept EATX motherboards?

I'd trust that research. For all I know, that case is not an EATX case.

 

[jooohn]

It is not, but I love it so much that I would do anything to fit my motherboard in it. I may do some research later on. I really appreciate your advices. So thank you. If I find something usefull I post it here. Thanx again.

What does your research tell you about whether or not the Zalman case will accept EATX motherboards?

I'd trust that research. For all I know, that case is not an EATX case.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

I've done a quick search and I think you may be very challenged to get any true Mid-Tower to except a eATX mobo. It looks like the best you can do is a full tower. My case has a handle and to say I love this thing is such an understatement but it will take ATX and XL-ATX not E-ATX, one being greater width (E-ATX) vs longer height (XL-ATX). Also your price point is going to be the real challenge.

 

[Layback Bear]

jooohn cutting off a corner here and their and such is not going to solver you problem.

Trying to make a case that is not designed for your motherboard will cost more than a case.

Your stand offs must be correct in all respects and they also must positions the in/out panel correctly.

Just do your homework for a case that is designed for the motherboard of your choice. If your choice is a extended ATX motherboard then find a case that is designed for that type of motherboard.

It's no more complicated than that.