Form Factor Question

[varissul]

My case is currently supporting a baby AT board, EPoX Model EP-5BVPXB, dimensions, 220mm X 210mm. Can I upgrade to an ATX board? Do ATX boards come in different sizes? I need a Socket 7 board and would like one that supports a 100MHz bus and AGP. Any suggestions? Thanks. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

[YODA74]

Tryhere (http://webopedia.internet.com/TERM/A/ATX.html)

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What have I gotten my self Into now (ROFLMAO)

[varissul]

Thanks for the response, yoda, but that really didn't answer my question. I don't want to purchase a board that won't fit into my case, or that would make hook-ups difficult. I need advise on how to go about this. My case is only 15"L X 7"W X 14"H and I want a new board to fit properly. Any suggestions? (please read earlier post)

[YODA74]

Well if you went to the site and looked at the second artical it says
and I quote "Describes the various form factors for PC mother boards, with seperate sections on the baby-at,atx,and lpx form factors. THIS PAGE IS FROM PC GUIDE" end quote says nothing about buying !! Do some surfing (having a bad day)suggest you refrase the post.Can't fit a cadillac into a VW

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What have I gotten my self Into now (ROFLMAO)

[This message has been edited by YODA74 (edited 09-22-2001).]

[Reid]

Take a look at the Tyan S1590S (http://www.computerbazar.com/ustad/av/tyan1590s.htm). It is a mini AT, but might fit. I think you would have to do sheet metal cutting in order to install an ATX board, unless your case already has a removeable cut-out panel. The S1590S accepts both AT and ATX power supplies. When using an ATX supply, it has the option to power up by pressing two keyboard keys at the same time.

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reido@my-deja.com

Friends don't let friends install Windows ME

[ranchdog]

varissul.... EPoX makes a baby ATX style Super Socket 7 that would fit your needs as you posted. AGP slot- PCI slots- SDRAM slots. 100Mhz Bus support.

I measured an old one I have and it's 8 3/4" by 10". The label on this one says M5Q8C Rev 3.0.

Luck.

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......Indecision may or may not be my problem......
...... Kickin' A Rock....

[Paleo Pete]

To clarify Reid's info a bit, whether you can use an ATX board or not depends on the design of the case, and whether or not the power supply is equipped to support both form factors (as mentioned you can also swap the power supply, that depends on the case as well.)

ATX cases have elongated holes for the keyboard and mouse plugs, since most have PS/2 ports onboard for both, and the AT style keyboard plug hole won't allow both to plug in. It would have to be cut out with tin snips. The power supply would also have power connectors for both AT and ATX motherboards, if it was originally designed to support both. If not, you'll need a power supply.

The Tyan board Reid posted looks very good, it has a standard AT keyboard plug, which should fit, no ports to worry about, both types of power connectors, Tyan is a good brand board and the Trinity is pretty well respected. It also has onboard PS/2 mouse support, USB headers, AGP slot...the only thing I would be careful of is the VIA chipset, if you plan to go with an AMD processor, they seem to have difficulties getting along.

The board itself is likely to fit, most cases except for mini towers will handle almost any physical size motherboard, most also have several holes for screws and slots in different locations to accomodate standoffs. Also, most of the ATX boards I have seen have been close to the same size as baby AT boards, so chances are it will fit. The best thing to do is measure the actual mounting plate, most motherboards have dimensions listed on the box, and Internet resellers usually have those measurements posted. As long as the motherboard is not larger than the mounting plate, you should be in good shape, but you may have to relocate some screws to mount it. That's the easy part...

Check the hole for the keyboard plug on nback of the case, if it's round, I doubt if the ATX board would work without some modifications to the case. If it's elongated, it should work. (1/2" x 1 1/4" or so would handle ATX.)

Another consideration is parallel and Serial ports. Some ATX boards have those mounted horizontally on the motherboard, the case must have slots for them. Usually those are proprietary cases, such as Compaq or Packard Bell, but many newer boards are set up that way, and cases are available with corresponding slots.

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[Reid]

I bought the S1590S at a time when I still had some 8 and 16 bit legacy cards, yet it still has enough PCI slots for the average user. It has been running well with an AMD K6-III/450 CPU.

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reido@my-deja.com

Friends don't let friends install Windows ME