Can I use an ATX board in an AT case?

[Long Haired Hippie Phreek]

I just got this case, it was free, and new in the box. It is AT, but it holds an ATX mainboard just fine, and even has an alt. backplate for ATX. Unfortunately, it has one of those giant AT power supplies, so I cannot see any way other than with a drill and a dremil that I can put in an ATX power supply. Is there a safe way to convert the supply I have in it now, like with an in-line system, and if so, how would I power it up? Thanks.

[Brangwen]

LHHP:

Hmm... Good question. I think I'd pull out the AT PS and mount an ATX in the box, unless there's room for both to reside in the box.

Brangwen http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

[Long Haired Hippie Phreek]

As I said, it is a big AT power supply, much bigger than a normal one, and therfore there is no way to mount a normal one. I did find out that a place called www.macase.com (http://www.macase.com) makes an atx supply the correct size (starting at 400w, and going to 500w), but I cannot find anyone that sells their products.

[HaroldW]

If you really want to do this I suggest you: 1. Remove the AT Power supply.
2. Cut a piece of sheet metal to cover the entire hole left at the back of the case (including overlap for the mounting screws) with the AT power supply removed.
3. Buy a standard ATX power supply.
4. Cut a smaller opening in the sheet metal to accomodate the ATX power supply.
5. Drill mounting wholes in the sheet metal.
6. Screw/bolt it all together.

A 230 to 250 watt standard ATX power supply can be had for as little as $8.00 on the web. Generally 400 watt power supplies start at $60 and go up from there, not making them cost effective for this project, ie: you can get inexpensive ATX cases with power supplies starting at about $20-$30, or you can get a good case with ATX power supply, including the one I like GlobalWin YCC-802, starting at about $50-$60.

[fshanda]

If you decide to go the patch route I can send you a piece of 26g. sheet metal cut to the size you need. Good luck on the change out.

Fshanda

[gjwilson]

Depending on whether you already have a board....there are older boards with both AT and ATX connections for the power supply and if you decide to change power supplies...why block up the excess opening when you can be creative and utilize the open space for increased ventilation.