Moving current system to new case...Problems?

[Clovii]

I am going to migrate my main system to a different case, and I was wondering if I will have any problems doing so. I have a Raid 1 set up through the MoBo on 2 1.5 TB Seagate HDD's, and my main concern was having to unplug them and then plug them back in and still have Windows and my PC recognize the array and the Windows installation. I do regular backups in addition to the Raid 1, but if this migration puts me in the position where I have to reinstall everything, I might think twice about it. Any thoughts?
Thanks everyone!

 

[mjf]

The only issue with a recase as far as I can see would be physical - do the components (inc CPU heatsink!) fit. If the case comes with a PSU then it may not be quite as good as some of the popular named brands (eg Seasonic) and you need to check that it has a suitable power rating. Also you need to make sure you have good ventilation in the new case.

 

[Clovii]

I will be using a closed loop water cooling heatsink, so physical space should not be an issue. The new case is a Corsair Vengeance, of which I have one on another system already, and it has good airflow, and decent space to hide and route my cabling. I currently have a 700w OCZ GameStream, that is a few years old, and I am going to switch up graphics cards during the migration, so I will probably go with a Corsair 850 or some such comparable model. My main concern was being able to maintain my Windows installation and Raid array during the migration, but if you do not think that will be affected, then it sounds like I wont have any problems. I just need to keep track of which disc is which when reconnecting and powering everything up in the new case. Correct me if I am wrong.
Thanks for the reply!

 

[Ranger4]

Make sure that all the leads are easily & clearly identified so the new case leads will go into the correct sockets on the motherboard. Also use the same sockets on the motherboard for your existing drives & DVD etc.
Be careful of any static electricity from your body by contacting the case before handling electronic components.
Of course remove the power lead before you do anything.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

You'll be fine but label all the raid drive sata cables and take a picture or map out which cables went where and hook it all up the same way. Cable routing makes zero difference as does the cable it's self but just make sure the drives are connected to the same sata header as is now. You'll love the new case, take lots of pictures and post them for us under "show us your rig"

 

[Clovii]

Gotcha on everything, I worked for Microcenter in KC for years, so I have been putting systems together for a while, just never had to move one with a Raid array. I figured that I should use the same Sockets for my HDD, but I am going to change out my Optical drives, as I used IDE drives for those when I first set it up 4 years ago(I had them lying around, so used them on the cheap). I am going to label each drive and the Sata socket it plugged in to, and I have an anti static work mat to do all this fun stuff on. Thanks for all your comments, I feel a lot better about moving the drives, which was my main issue, since it would take forever and a day to reload everything, do all the Win updates, etc., etc. Thanks again!
Oh, and I have a Vengeance case on my newer system that I just use for gaming, and I love that case, the Tempest is a huge pain when you go to clean the front filters off. You have to take off the top of the case before you can even think about removing the front to get at the filters. Otherwise, it has been a great case. My previous case was an NZXT Lexa, not the black with red LED's that you see a lot, but the black one with the faux brushed aluminum front and blue LED's. Cool looking case, horrible for routing cables. I had an old ASUS A8N32-SLI Deluxe with an AMD 4800+ in that one. Unfortunately, one of the cheap side door fan's wires pulled out, and I didn't notice it, and it ended up frying my PCI express lanes, and made the whole board unusable, which sucks, because that was a great board, and would still be a good system to do every day stuff on.
Again, thanks for the help!