Advice on Building ATX Systems

[Chiles4]

I have always built and worked on "Baby AT" systems. I need some info specifically related to building ATX style systems. Here's what I've heard about working on ATX style systems:
1. Don't work on the machine with it plugged in - power is still being supplied to the motherboard on an ATX system.
2. You have to make sure the case you buy matches up with the port connectors on the motherboard.
3. No PS/2 mouse connector cable is needed - the connector is attached to the board.

Can anyone comment on these items and more importantly, could someone clue me in on some "curveballs" the ATX board will throw me when I try to build such a system coming from a "Baby AT" background?

Any help greatly appreciated.

[Chiles4]

I know what you mean by case quality. After I bought my first case 3 years ago, my wife would see the cuts on my hands and say, "been working on the computer, again, huh?".
My current AT board has wake-on-lan but I've worked relentlessly on this machine with it plugged in. There's a big debate on keeping it plugged in. I finally went with the crowd that stated it provides the best and only ground when you are working (to prevent ESD).

As far as ordering over the internet, I order everything that way: cpus, cases, memory, video cards, monitors. If you buy from www.buycomp.com (the most reputable vendor I've found on the internet) you often save 40-50% over other internet vendors' prices which in turn are about 10-20% less than retail. I just got a Viewsonic G790 19" monitor for $400 plus $5 shipping. To determine what to buy, I do EXTENSIVE research looking at related newsgroups. Case in point, if you have a Trinity AT100 mobo, you get the Enlight 6680. If you get the InWin med tower instead, you'll have to cut out a portion of the drive cage to accommodate the DIMMS. The wealth of info on NGs is incredible.
I also check out www.resellerratings.com for testimonials of people using various vendors. I would never order from a vendor without reading very favorable experiences on the above website.

Thanks for the info,

Gary

[Kali1]

You SHOULD unplug the power cable to the power supply (back of the system) before working on the system. Many ATX boards support Wake on LAN and Modem Wake, so the board is always being supplied with power. When working inside the system, be sure to ground yourself by touching the unfinished metal on the chassis. An ESD mat and grounding strap are also recommended. You can pick these up for a few bucks.

The cases I have found include several metal template covers to match the layout of integrated ports. There are also pre-punched holes on the back of the case to line up with the ports, so if you have an ATX board, you should have no problem installing it in a ATX case.

Most ATX boards that I have seen do integrate the PS/2 mouse and keyboard ports, as well as the serial, parallel and USB ports.

I think one of the most overlooked issues when building your own system is the quality of the case. Many people try to get the best price they can find. Unfortunately, this usually translates into a cheap and flimsy case. Check out the case thoroughly. How sturdy is it? If you put a little pressure on the top, does the chassis bend or give in any direction? It should be very sturdy. The corners & joints of a quality chassis should be soldered or riveted, not cut and bent into shape.

How well are the edges inside finished? Remember, you have to put your hands in there...you don't want them cut to hamburger! How well is the power supply mounted in the chassis? It shouldn't budge or wiggle at all. You might even look for features like a slide-out tray that the MLB mounts on...or removeable side panels. This makes maintaining the hardware a lot less of a hassle in the long run, because if you're like me, you're always opening the system up to add and/or tinker with the HW.

I ended up paying $80 for my mid-size ATX chassis. Paying a few extra dollars now will save you a lot of hassle,pain and suffering in the long run. It's also a dicey proposition to purchase a case online. Unless you've seen the case with your own eyes and are satisfied with it's construction, I don't recommend ordering online. How do you know what you're getting?

I think you'll like the ATX form factor a lot more than Baby-AT. There's just more room to work with.