ATX or Micro ATX??

[burnselk]

How does a ATX case differ from a Micro ATX case?

I have a HP Pavilion model 7955 and it's a small tower (only 14.5" high).

Today the techie on "HP Live Chat" told me I have an ATX case, not a micro ATX. But for some reason I had in my mind that I had a Micro ATX because of it's size. So I'm confused as usual and need your help to set me straight.

The reason I'm asking is I want to upgrade my little 200 watt power supply (Bestec ATX 1956D) to at least 300 or 350 watts.

My current Bestec PSU measures 5.9" W x 3.4" H x 3.9" Deep and that sucker is so tight in the case I need to get an exact "same size" replacement.....or it just won't fit in my case. No foolin....anything bigger will not fit.

1. What's a good brand of PSU? Who sells them for a good price on line?

2. Do all PSU's have the same output voltages and amps?

3. Do all mobo's require the same voltages/amps? If not, how will I determine what I need?

4. Besides fit....what should I look for in a new PSU?

I need a little help from my friends.........

Thanks guys.....and yes I'm still screwing around with this 4+ year old HP.

[CWR03]

You may be better off looking for a whole new case complete with power supply. I just picked up one on sale with a 450 watt PSU for $30. Whether your current board is ATX or micro ATX, it should mount in a standard case.

1. I like Antec, but they're among the most expensive. Ultra has some nice ones, like their X-Connect with configurable plug-in harnesses.

2. All ATX PSU's have the same voltages, but the ampereages will vary a great deal. My original one had only 11 amps on the 12V rail, but the Antec replacement I got was 26 amps, plenty of juice to run accessories which pretty much all run on 12V.

3. You can't have "too many" amps - just go for the highest you can afford, and you'll leave room for future upgrades and extend the life of the unit by drawing on it less.

4. You mean like colors? :) It should have the connectors you need for your equipment, but all the good ones will have everything you could need.

[HardwareGeek]

How does a ATX case differ from a Micro ATX case?Micro ATX is a different form factor and is smaller.
What's a good brand of PSU? Who sells them for a good price on line?I like Antec, but there's lots of good others. Go to PriceGrabber, click on power supplies, and see which ones are the most popular.
Do all PSU's have the same output voltages and amps? ... Do all mobo's require the same voltages/amps? ... how will I determine what I need?Newer motherboards tend to require more power, & power supply makers have responded accordingly. If your computer is over 4 years old, all you probably need is an older power supply with a main 20-pin power connector (& not a newer ATX 2.0 power supply with 24-pins + 4-pins).
Besides fit....what should I look for in a new PSU?No suggestions.

[foxyshadis]

Something to look for: Efficiency. Especially if you can find an 80+ psu. It'll save you energy costs in the long run, plus the psu doesn't get as hot. (Most good current ones are 70-75%, way better than the 45-55% they used to average, but 80+% is still nice for you and the power grid.)

http://silentpcreview.com/ has lots of articles on good PSUs and other components.

[burnselk]

You may be better off looking for a whole new case complete with power supply. I just picked up one on sale with a 450 watt PSU for $30.

What a great buy, where did you find a deal like that on-line or local shop? What brand PSU was it?

If I can find a deal like that, maybe I will go that route and add some other stuff while I'm at it.

[CWR03]

I found it at Fry's Electronics - they have most of the same stuff at www.outpost.com. It's really cheap, but it has been working fine so far. I had some extra components and wanted to throw them together to make a working PC without spending any more money than I had to. I don't recall the brand of the PSU, but it was definitely not a "name brand."

[burnselk]

As I recall, Fry's are only in western USA.....none in my neck of the woods....eastern USA. Too bad because I visited one when I was in AZ several years ago and loved it. I was like a kid in a toy store. I'll check Outpost.com. Thanks

[crusty]

How does a ATX case differ from a Micro ATX case?


Answer: The size of motherboard you can fit in it. ATX cases take any modern standard except BTX and EATX, while Micro-ATX cases can take only Micro-ATX and Baby-AT motherboards. Whether or not is full-tower, midi or mini is not the issue.

It should be pretty straightforward to tell if you have one or the other: Open your case, look at the motherboard. If it is ATX-size, you have an ATX-case.

Look here for more info:
http://www.pcguide.com/ref/case/formATX-c.html