CHANGE Case on Store-Bought Computer?

[MegalosSkylaki]

I've seen several good deals on store-bought Yuccho type Computers like HP, CPQ, and Dell.

For Example, the Evo had 3 year in home service. and a Multi-printer for $500 after Rebates. And an installed OS.

Problem is that they usually come without CD's and even if they do, the OS is "married" to the Rig.

Here is my Question:

The PSU is always weak, and the cases lack 5.5 and 3.3 bays. Usually a microMobo --with either a micro or regular ATX case.

Oh, My question: Can you take al the innards and transfer them to a better, more poerful ,and bigger case?

Then when (and if) it's running, start upgrading parts like PSU , memory, DVD-RW, AGP Gfx8X etc. with stuff you ALready own so as not to increase the total cost.

Result, a lazy-DooGs Computer already installed and running with considerble EXPANDability --thanX to better case &PSU. Parts put to good use upgrading. Maybe even a nice silver and black CPQ case etc. to build a basic rig left over.

Of course, if it needs warrentee work --either you reverse the whole procedure or get busted on Warrentee.

CAN it be DONE ? ?

The more info on the ins and outs of such a project, the better.

Anybody actually transfer a Store-bought major-brand outta its case?
And run it as always ?
Maybe with an upgrade or two or 3 or 4..???

THNAXZ so Much,

MegalosSkylaki

[FalcomPSX]

usually it can't be done, they like to make their cases proprietary, power supplies and motherboard layouts aren't usually standard either...

[RicheemxX]

I'd say you could probably do it not that I see any benefit from doing so. I've seen some hp's pulled from the original case and fitted into another bigger/better case or even the original case seated with a more powerful PS {difficult to find one that fits right} Alot of the manuf. cases are a pain to even get open and once you do you can write off any warranties. however on most these systems upgradeable will be limited by the motherboard. most the time you have no agp slot and not enough pci slots for adequate expansion.

[stroyal]

If the mother board has a daughter board it will be hard to find a case. The cards go in 90 degrees from a regular case

[Makaveli]

Sure it can be done, I have done it myself Don't regret it one bit. I got a much bigger case with a nice window on the side and room for plenty more drives and fans. Store bought inards, personalized case, and a few upgrades to go with it.
Didn't run into any problems in the process.

-MaK

[MegalosSkylaki]

Oddly, the switch-over to even a cheap case can be a vast improvement --provided a good PSU is chosen for it.

Ever see how low powered "store-boxes" are..on even the rails that matter most ?

As for cooling, well many don't even have a front intake fan. My GF's SONY, didn't even have a rear exhaust fane, just the single PSU fan and the small HSF fan.

I installed a slot cooler to help out.

Since overheating and low-power is a major cause of instability, you's think they would pay a few x-tra bucks to minimalize calls to their Great Technical Depts. !

So, anybody else do it ?

The two main things that worry me: the PSU being non-proprietary, and the warrentee. Maybe best when it is off warrentee --usually in a year.

I wouldn't pay for a warenteee X-tention on a Desktop, anyhows.

Hmmm..maybe I'll just wait for next trip to CA, and get one there --or bring with me a "home-brew".

Anybody ever travel by plane with a Desktop ?

DOOOOOG

[Yendor]

This is something I have done on 2 occassions and neither time was it worth it. It was an extreme pain in the rear to get the mobo's to fit. They are usually proprietary. The configuring was ok, but in the end, there was no real difference. I would not recommend this conversion.

If you are worried about cooling, mod the case and install some fans yourself. Also, the moment you convert, your warranty (if any) is toast.

[gerald_weigel]

Would the warranty be void if you mod the case also?

[sweeper2]

i have taken out micro boards etc and put them in bigger cases etc. not really a hassle, but i bought a Sony Lan case with micro atx board and yeah, comes with cheesy 350 watt PSU with only one fan at the back of the PSU and small HSF on a athlon xp 2100, so i put in a slot fan, cut a hole right across from the CPU installed an intake "red" 80mm fan and installed a front 80mm intake fan to finally get it to the correct temps (case in the 30's C)(cpu around 47C). Sucks and probably no warranty anymore, but the case is pretty sharp. But anyway, putting your stuff in another case with more air if you don't want to mod isn't that much of a hassle as i said earlier.

good luck DOG !!

[MegalosSkylaki]

You know, reading the thread above in its entirety makes it sound that all the Computer Company warrentees is an inferior product .

So they don't want you to improve upon them.

Given that, is the warrentee worth all that ?
,
Most stuff gives out DOA or within a few weeks --except the hard drive--so maybe a better Computer is worth voiding the "warrentee of inferiority".

How can they justfy any computer WITHOUT either an intake or exhaust fan ?
Or a PSU so weak it almost guarentees the inability to multitask without BSOD ?

Doh ! "market niching" ?

I guess they figure people who are Computer savvy don't buy their stuff anyway, and those who do, won't know how to upgrade anyhow.

ThanX for all the help.

I'm still thinking of a $500 EVO + MFC printer, but maybe I'll just upograde their 250W PSU to a 350W Antec I have, and put in an AGP Gfx, and some PCI cards.

The rear fan can be improved on off the PSU, and maybe a front fan squeezed in.
Then upgrade their CD-RW with my own, if it's junk
And add a DVD-RW in the closet. Plus use a Logitech multimedia KB and add a good mouse and....

Hey so why Not just build one ???
Ah! lazy DooG !


DOOOOOOOOG