Can an AT type PC case hold a modern full-size motherboard?

[vlc]

hi
a friend bought an AT pc case off ebay but writes to me...
quote-
'the case cannot take a normal full size motherboard because of the cases proprietory design for rear openings (for keyboard and mouse) as this case is not according to normal specs listed, ie- (standard internal fittings for upto a full size motherboard.)

so does this mean he's right as it should take his fullsize motherboard?
OR
did he mis-read the auction, in that, does its specified 'AT' case denote that only 'certain' full-size mainboards can be fitted, ie- 'AT type' full-size motherboards only?

please help this guy out as i cant remember what the mainboard size capacities were for AT-cases, for i thought only 'fullsize AT type' motherboards fitted inside 'AT type' pc cases - right or wrong?

cheers 4 any help

[Plotloss]

AT is an old standard.

All motherboards made since about 1996 will be ATX

[Bodo]

vlc said:

hi
a friend bought an AT pc case off ebay but writes to me...
quote-
'the case cannot take a normal full size motherboard because of the cases proprietory design for rear openings (for keyboard and mouse) as this case is not according to normal specs listed, ie- (standard internal fittings for upto a full size motherboard.)

so does this mean he's right as it should take his fullsize motherboard?
OR
did he mis-read the auction, in that, does its specified 'AT' case denote that only 'certain' full-size mainboards can be fitted, ie- 'AT type' full-size motherboards only?

please help this guy out as i cant remember what the mainboard size capacities were for AT-cases, for i thought only 'fullsize AT type' motherboards fitted inside 'AT type' pc cases - right or wrong?

cheers 4 any help

Does your friend have a computer museum?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AT_form_ said:

The AT form factor is the first modern form factor to be widely used. AT (Advanced Technology) was released in 1984 by IBM. Unlike the PC and XT form factors that preceded it, AT became a widely used design as a result of the booming home computer market in the 1980s. IBM clones made at the time began using AT compatible designs, contributing to its popularity. In 1990s many computers still used AT and its variants, but ATX has been the most popular standard from 1997.

[mr_yogi]

AT chassis were used many years ago (I had a 486 ) and (I think were phased out around the time of the Pentium Pro/ Pentium II) probably up until 1997 (?)

ATX has been the standard for many years, I had a PII in 98 that was ATX, and where I worked in 98 we only tested ATX. The standard is all about the dimensions of the chassis and the components and the fixings. All current motherboards will be ATX and so will the power supplies and as your friend said the fixings for mouse/ keyboard/ anything 'down' on the motherboard. For example; there will be no hole for the keyboard and it will be in the wrong place and be the wrong shape

Then even if you managed to hack a hole in the back of the chassis so you could connect your mouse/ keyboard etc. there wouldn't be any mounting points in the chassis which would line up with the motherboard to hold the board into the chassis and ground it. And even if you made mounting points you may find that the PSU or hard disks or whatever fouls the motherboard

So it's not impossible to modify an AT chassis but you'd need to be quite the engineer

EDIT: Doh! too slow.

Edited by mr_yogi on Wednesday 13th September 00:59

[thepassenger]

As others have said, it *can* be done. However the time/energy/risks of doing so make a cheap £30 steel case look very tempting.

Basically get your weapon of choice for cutting metal and slice off the back panel (where the keyboard/usb connectors would poke out of. See if the motherboard will mate up to the AT mounting holes (it *should* at least one or two, the rest you'll need to use plastic spacers for). Next see if the card slots are alligned and you can insert PCI/PCI-E/AGP cards... it probably won't so you'll need to bring in your weapon again and basically slice a nice big hole in the back for the cards to poke out of.

It won't be pretty and it sure as hell won't be as well put together as a puka system but it can be done.

[pdV6]

vlc said:

did he mis-read the auction, in that, does its specified 'AT' case denote that only 'certain' full-size mainboards can be fitted, ie- 'AT type' full-size motherboards only?

Unfortunately he's gone into the auction without doing the requisite homework.

Wouldn't be suprised if the seller knew full well this might happen and therefore didn't bother to elaborate and say "you know, this case won't take a modern ATX motherboard".

[robdickinson]

Auction is correct, your mate just doesnt know his stuff.

It'll take full sized AT motherboards, its an AT case, just a shame that no one makes AT motherboards anymore, I havnt seen one in a good long while.

[annodomini2]

AT hasn't been around for over 10 years,

It will be more hassle than its worth to try and fit it given cheap ATX cases are IRO a tenner.

[beanbag]

I've got an AT mobo with a P120 if you want it!?

It's by the bin right now in my basement.....