Proximitus Posted April 4, 2013 Share Posted April 4, 2013 (edited) I bought a pre-set desktop pc a few years ago, the Acer Aspire M3710. So, a while ago I decided to upgrade the whole bunch step for step. i bought a new PSU (a xfx pro 550w) and I received my new videocard today! (Gigabyte Radeon HD 7950 3072MB) Unfortunately, it doesn't fit :( My case is pretty clutterd with all the wires of my psu, so I was planning on buying a new case anyway, but since my new videocard is an inch longer then my old one, it doesn't fit due to some racks. Anyway, I heard it was crucial to look for a case that can handle your motherboard, so I'm asking, which cases do you recommend? My mother board is Acer FMCP7AM, not sure if you can get enough info from that.. It doesn't need to be an expensive case, as long as it does the trick! The measurements of my old case are 45x18x36, 36 being the height A picture of how it looks inside right now:http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/1125/img20130330wa0008.jpg Edited April 4, 2013 by Proximitus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blove Posted April 4, 2013 Share Posted April 4, 2013 This service guide says that the mainboard is a Micro ATX. Fractal Design Arc Mini Review - seems very nice and somthing that I would be interested in. The review authors even talk about some of their other same size favorites. Most any ATX case can mount a Micro ATX mainboard so the sky is the limit on cases. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proximitus Posted April 4, 2013 Author Share Posted April 4, 2013 What's the difference between a Micro ATX and a normal one? Also, I'm going to upgrade the motherboard in the future, depending on the rest of my hardware, I assume I have to buy a Micro ATX again, or is a normal good enough? Btw, the site says that this are the measurements. 210 x 405 x 484 (W x D x H) Since 405 is the the depth, and I ahve a depth of 450, I don't think it's going to fit? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blove Posted April 4, 2013 Share Posted April 4, 2013 ATX Micro ATX is a smaller mainboard than ATX but shares the same mounting holes. If you are going to upgrade later, get an ATX case. If you choose a Micro ATX only case then you would have to get a Micro ATX mainboard. I just thought that you might like a smaller case. The measurements you list are for the case not the mainboard. That Fractal case has removeable drive cages which would allow you to use larger video cards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proximitus Posted April 4, 2013 Author Share Posted April 4, 2013 Hmm, gooing to look into that a little bit more, but thanks! Yeah, I think I'm upgrading to a normal atx motherboard, not sure though.. But the case has to be big enough, just in case (hehe) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samadchaz Posted April 4, 2013 Share Posted April 4, 2013 (edited) Your case is very small (should say OEM) also its missing one fan :ermm:look for Zalman Z11 plusor Antec and Fractal Designor NZXT Guardian 921 Edited April 4, 2013 by samadchaz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proximitus Posted April 4, 2013 Author Share Posted April 4, 2013 Well, not really missing.. As I said, I bought a complete, standard system, and they always put in the least necessary.. That's why I want to upgrade it, rather then buying a new one, so I can choose everything myself! More fans is definitely on my list, just not at the top. I think I'm going to cut out some metal bits, so I can fit in the videocard. Im not planning on selling the case when I don't longer need it so I dont need to worry about broken stuff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FMod Posted April 5, 2013 Share Posted April 5, 2013 Don't be a cheapskate and buy a real case. "Free" cases are placeholder junk.Yeah, I think I'm upgrading to a normal atx motherboard, not sure though..Full ATX is bordering on obsolete, there has long been almost no point to it. It's certainly not an upgrade per se. ASUS even makes top of the line motherboards in mATX, like MAXIMUS V GENE. Costs $200, is loaded with the features of $350 ATX mobos and supports SLI and CFX. However, getting an ATX sized case is worth it just for the GPU cooling benefits, extra space for cool and hot air streams to intermix less. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoofhearted4 Posted April 5, 2013 Share Posted April 5, 2013 i recommend the Fractal Arc Midi 2. i have the Arc Midi myself, but its discontinued for the Arc Midi 2! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalikka Posted April 6, 2013 Share Posted April 6, 2013 (edited) ShinobiBlackhawkGot both of those cases, Shinobi is a great budget solution and Blackhawk has impressive cooling (Gigabyte HD7950@ 1200MHz core/1500MHz vram, and the temps are under 70C). If you are not going to OC stuff, mATX or even ITX is a great solution.But if you are going to OC like most ppl, ATX is better. ATX boards usually have better VRM and the case has room for better coolers and airflow. I have two Z77 extreme4 with 3570k@4,5ghz.If you want a mATX board with equal OC/SLI/xfire quality you would have to buy the maximus V gene. Although its almost impossible to fit 2 GPU's to the mATX board, you need "breathing room" between the 2 cards. Edited April 6, 2013 by kalikka Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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