I am told this motherboard is a BTX form factor by Dell and I see the posts on forums. But my question is has anyone tried putting this MOBO in another case? The I/O are identical to an ATX form factor not a BTX form factor. If you look at model number GU083 and pull pics of ATX and BTX you will see what I mean. Everyone seems to be jumping on the BTX and not actually looking at the board. Please let me know if you have successfully transplanted this MOBO.
Precision 490 motherboard
- Thread starter DanHerr
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- Dec 2, 2009
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Perhaps this article will help clarify why the minor difference are not so minor.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/atx-btx-cases,1187-19.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/atx-btx-cases,1187-19.html
I have read that article before but this motherboard does not fit that description. No zoning, CPUs do not have diagonal placement, no mirror imaging. It is closer to a SSI EEB form factor than a BTX. The SSI EEB form factor will fit in other cases. From what I see if an E-ATX fits it looks like the SSI EEB will. But I have not tried and trying to get the answer before I waste the money.
Basically memory is running at a constant 70-80 degrees C and even though they can run that hot during rendering I am not rendering anything. The Precision's case really has little air flow over the board. So I want to transplant the guts and increase airflow. It is whether MOBO will fit or not that will determine everything. I might have to just buy a case that fits E-ATX/SSI EEB and hope.
jeff_lalonde
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Have you made any headway with this. I just recently picked up a used Precision 490 very cheap without the case. First time with Server components just something to play with. I would be interested to know what you ended up doing or finding out?
Unfortunately I have made no progress. What I have found out through trail is this. I/O in same location as any ATX. Most mounting holes line up as long as you find a case that will physically fit a board that is 12 x 13.5. Basically a XL-ATX, E-ATX range from 12 x 10.9 to 12 x 13. So if the case simply says E-ATX it is a gamble if it will fit without inner dimensions of the case. Power supply is slightly bigger but was not really an issue, bending back of some tabs would have fixed that. There are boards out there you could replace yours with but options are few and far between (Asus Z7S, mixed reviews about it). Best option honestly would pick up a Precision 490 case. It is a marvel of engineering on how they crammed all those components in a small space. But I can tell you they definitely sacrificed air flow when they did it.
jeff_lalonde
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With further research I have found out this board is most likely SSI EEB form factor. 12" x 13" SSI CEB motherboards have the same mounting holes and the same IO connector area as ATX motherboards, but SSI EEB motherboards do not.
That's where that "most" comment comes into play. There are three holes around the cpu that did not line up you would need to modify to make it work or figure out how to support without creating holes. The perimeter holes would fit. Would not recommend just using perimeter holes. Those heat sinks are heavy.
jeff_lalonde
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Thanks for the reply. If I can't find a 490 case I will pick up something cheap as possible and do my magic and modify it.
I have several BTX boards. Just because a board mounts on the left-hand wall of a case does not make it BTX. True BTX, of course, has a diagonally placed CPU. Furthermore, the I/O section is at the top-most end of the board.
The Precision 490, if I'm not mistaken, has two CPU sockets, and neither is diagonal. The I/O section is at the bottom end and the PCI slots are at the top end (when mounted correctly), so in fact it's an ATX that is simply upside-down. I can't imagine how you would move this to a true BTX case. Moreover, the form factor for your motherboard is very large. I've had a very hard time finding BTX cases, and most that I've come across are minis or micros.
I think what you need is almost impossible without at least a little personal modding, since that motherboard is quite obscure. It might be fun to do, but it will take some time. You could almost go with any ATX tower (normal, or reversed like your 490) that is large enough to accommodate your big board. Regardless of hole placement, you'll probably find at least a few holes that align with your own, and you'd need to create the rest.
Best of luck.
The Precision 490, if I'm not mistaken, has two CPU sockets, and neither is diagonal. The I/O section is at the bottom end and the PCI slots are at the top end (when mounted correctly), so in fact it's an ATX that is simply upside-down. I can't imagine how you would move this to a true BTX case. Moreover, the form factor for your motherboard is very large. I've had a very hard time finding BTX cases, and most that I've come across are minis or micros.
I think what you need is almost impossible without at least a little personal modding, since that motherboard is quite obscure. It might be fun to do, but it will take some time. You could almost go with any ATX tower (normal, or reversed like your 490) that is large enough to accommodate your big board. Regardless of hole placement, you'll probably find at least a few holes that align with your own, and you'd need to create the rest.
Best of luck.
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