What type of case do I buy?

[S2UIRR3L]

I'm looking to upgrade a computer, but there's no room in this tiny case.
My problem, I don't know what kind of case to buy for this mother board.
Is it an ATX, MiniATX, MicroATX, I have no idea what will/won't fit it lol.

I've tried google searches, but can't find anything on it. I really love the
way everything runs on this little setup. It's dual booted with Lucid Lynx
64-bit and Win-7 Ultimate 64-bit (so I can run and play SimCity 2013).

If it helps, this is what I can tell you about it:

Gateway SX2841-09e
Intel Prntium processor G6951
Intel GMA HD graphics
6-GB of DDR3 RAM

The integrated video card and the power supply is what I'm looking to
upgrade (because the on board graphics SUCK, really bad) and I've had
to dull it down to Lego buildings. I want to see grass blowing in the wind!

Also, if I want to upgrade the video card, I'm going to have to buy a
bigger power supply. The one that's in it right now is only 220-watts.
Yeah, everything is decent, but the graphics and PSU are pathetic!!!

What should I look for when buying a case for this mother board...
ATX / Mini ATX / Micro ATX / I don't know

[Lightning Dragon]

Hi,

This would be better suited in the appropriate place on one of the sub-forums. This sub-forum is for Ubuntu support. But anyway, could you look at your motherboard and tell us the name on it? I can't find any details on "Gateway SX2841-09e" other than a full desktop that lacks details on the board. If I had it, I could look for cases you could use.

If it is tiny, then it most likely a mini or micro ATX case.

EDIT

Removed links to guessed computer.

[pqwoerituytrueiwoq]

can i see some pictures of the inside?
i could select parts if you want a new system, but your current hardware is not that old so it seems like a waste to replace everything
looks like a slim micro atx case to me
this will get the motherboard model number if we are lucky
sudo hwinfo --bios | grep -i product
edit: iirc you are located in Japan right? i don't know what kind of power plugs are used over there, so i will just use what we use here in the US
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817151117 - psu (remember too many watts means poor efficiency, not all brands are equal, may are outright liar)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130792 - gpu (the nvidia gt/gtx 600 series chips are pretty power efficient)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147123 - case (jsut a cheapy nothing special case, will be hard to isntall hdd with the CPU already on the motherboard)

BTW your graphics are not on-board they are on-cpu and are pretty nice on linux, i can play supertuxkart on max with it at 60fps, just cant use pixel shadders

[sandyd]

Moved to Hardware forums

[S2UIRR3L]

Well... I can't seem to find any photos of it with the panel off, but here's a few really clear photos of what it's in right now.
Just to make my self clear... I'm not looking to replace the mother board... I'm looking to put it into another case with room.
I need more room to install a larger power supply and get a full sized video card in there... Oh, and yeah... I'm in the States.

I'm wondering if anyone can tell me what type of mother board this is, just by looking at the rear input/output configuration?

sx2841-09e front.jpg(click image to enlarge) This is the front of the computer.
sx2841-09e rear.jpg(click image to enlarge) This is the rear of the computer.

[S2UIRR3L]

@sandyd - It's been a while since I've started a thread and the forums have changed a bit. I'm sorry for posting in the wrong area.

[Lightning Dragon]

Hi,

I know you were only looking for a case, I was just hoping you could maybe see the motherboard's name and model. Please give me the full output of this command;

sudo dmidecode -t 2

That will ouput info on your mobo. And if that doesn't work, please install hardinfo from either the terminal or Software Center, and then try to find your motherboard name and model under "DMI".

But I have a strong feeling it is micro ATX or mini ATX (which there are cases/towers that support both), so now it depends on what features you want your case to have. Do you want it modular? Built for awesome airflow? USB3.0 on front panel? Things like that should be considered firstly after knowing what type of case you want.

[squakie]

Judging by the size - see the front view where an optical drive is half the case width and a good 2/3's or more of the height. I would think microatx at best - perhaps even itx.

[fantab]

The form factor pertains to the size of the MotherBoard. You should tell us what Mobo you have.
I would always go with ATX form factor for the cabinet. It can be used with all other form factors (miniATX and microATX) and will be more room inside for good ventilation.

Your 220w powersupply is too little in my opinion. You MUST have 500w minimum. Intel HD graphics are good for average multimedia machines. Perhaps underpowered for Gaming purpose.

If I were you I would only change the power-supply for now. Or Rebuild a new Machine with more powerful Graphics and a Mobo to support it with 16Gigs of RAM from the bottom up.

My two cents...

[S2UIRR3L]

Okay - Here's the deal... A friend of mine just told me that it's a MiniATX.
I have a brand new 750-watt PSU from a different project that never happened.
I'm going to newegg and getting my self a 2-gig nVidia PCIe 2.0 x16 card and
that takes care of the hard ware issues... I'm also buying a great little case for
only $40 that is compatible with both MicroATX and MiniATX mother boards.
It has enough room for a second hard drive and great air flow, not to mention
the bonus blue LED lights. If they're too bright, I'll just buy a few black fans lol.

Thanks for all the help everyone!