Micro-ATX Mobo in a ATX Full Tower

mictian1980

Distinguished
Dec 3, 2010
51
2
18,535
I have a DG31PR and I want to change the tower it is in at the moment. I would like to move the mobo into a ATX Full Tower model. Will I be able to do this and is there certain towers that will let me do this that I should look for? I want to increase air flow in the tower this is my primary reason. On top of the fact that the tower the mobo is currently sitting in is beat up.
 

jsanthara

Distinguished
May 17, 2011
357
0
18,860
Yes, certain ATX full towers will support Micro-ATX motherboards. Most Xclio cases will support Micro-ATX, but there are other companies that will as well. Just browse some online sites (newegg, tigerdirect, etc.) and select ATX full tower and browse the cases. In the details look for motherboard compatibility to see if it supports Micro-ATX. A good deal of them do.
 
I think all ATX cases will have a provision to install a M-ATX motherboard.

Since the motherboard is smaller, it will obviously fit.
The rear panel dimensions are the same.
Only 4 of the 7 slots will be filled.

Most larger cases will have holes drilled for M-ATX standoffs as well as ATX.

Even if they don't, there are enough holes in common so that you can still mount your motherboard.
Here is a diagram showing the holes:
http://www.formfactors.org/developer/specs/matxspe1.2.pdf