can I rotate a motherboard to fit?

newbiesforever · 06-12-2008, 05:00 PM

Once I select a new mobo, can I rotate it sideways to fit in the chassis (if needed), or can I expect it to work only one way? I measured the motherboard area in the chassis, and found it to be 12" horizontal x 15.5" vertical. (Measuring only the raised area I'm sure the mobo belongs in. I might find that nothing prevents it from taking up the 2 3/4" space between the raised area and the drive bays, but I'd better not assume that.) What if the mobo I want happens to be 15.5" horizontal x 12" vertical?

forrestt · 06-12-2008, 05:09 PM

Then it won't fit. There are various connectors on the back of the motherboard that must fit in the back of the case. There is only one way that it will go in. However, if you have a fairly new case (last few years) any motherboard you get should fit as long as it is in the same class (i.e. ATX, mini-ATX, etc).

HTH

Forrest

amani · 06-12-2008, 05:11 PM

If you have a chassis that supports FlexATX, Micro ATX and so on then it should fit most mainboards. That is how one speaks of the standards. They fit in only one way.

Usually no mainboard is supposed to go under the drive bays; esp if the chassis is a tower.

First decide on your mainboard. You can get your chassis later.

Best

A. Mani

newbiesforever · 06-12-2008, 05:16 PM

Ah. So as long as the class is compatible, the dimensions should be? My chassis is brand new, and the box says it supports ATX and micro-ATX.

(Oops. I didn't know I should get the board first.)

forrestt · 06-12-2008, 05:22 PM

Getting the board first or the chassis first is irrelevant. The advantages of getting a board first are that you can get the specs for the board you want and find a case that fits those specs. The advantage of getting a case first is that you can find a case you like or that fits into your environment better, but will then be limited on what capabilities your board will be able to have.

HTH

Forrest

gnashley · 06-14-2008, 02:17 AM

Won't rotating the board cause oil to drip from the processor? Sorry, I couldn't resist...

pinniped · 06-14-2008, 02:39 AM

"Won't rotating the board cause oil to drip from the processor?"

No, but the Circular Shift instructions work differently. It's still not as bad as building a computer in Australia though - everything powers down when you press the button expecting to power up.