Is it possible to build a new pc tower inside an old case.

voyager4 - 2021-02-09 08:03:00

Well yeah why not ? The case is just a case.

nice_lady - 2021-02-09 08:06:00

USB ports might be USB2, depends how old...

king1 - 2021-02-09 08:09:00

Yep, do it all the time. the USB ports shouldn't make any difference as they are only connections, the 1 2 or 3 is only in the motherboard, not the plugs.

tygertung - 2021-02-09 08:28:00

Sleeper PC's are fairly common - take the most outrageous current PC hardware and chuck it in a beige IBM case from 1994.

Also the above is wrong, you absolutely have different USB type connectors coming off your case so it is more than likely an old PC case will not have the appropriate connectors for USB 3.0. Again, this is something that would need to be modded to make work.

cube_guy - 2021-02-09 08:38:00

You don't even need a whole new pc....upgrade it...I haven't bought a PC since 1998...just change bits every now and then.
MB, RAM and CPU generally have to be done as one...but GPU, PSU, HHDs etc can be done when required as required....case....well that's just the pretty (or not) bit that holds it all in....
Haven't changed my case in 11 years.
Its is large, blingy (but not OTT) and I still love it.

Edited by lythande1 at 8:44 am, Tue 9 Feb

lythande1 - 2021-02-09 08:43:00

tygertung wrote:

Yep, do it all the time. the USB ports shouldn't make any difference as they are only connections, the 1 2 or 3 is only in the motherboard, not the plugs.

unless the mobo has usb 2 and usb 3 connectors (not sure i've seen one), it does make a difference. but there are workarounds

Edited by king1 at 8:45 am, Tue 9 Feb

king1 - 2021-02-09 08:44:00

tygertung wrote:

Yep, do it all the time. the USB ports shouldn't make any difference as they are only connections, the 1 2 or 3 is only in the motherboard, not the plugs.

Wrong.
USB3 headers are different to USB2 headers on a motherboard normally, if youve got an older case with USB2 connectors you arent going to magically transform them into USB3 without some modifications

Edited by csador at 11:32 am, Tue 9 Feb

csador - 2021-02-09 11:31:00

Yes that's right, but often there are USB sockets at the back of the motherboard where all the plugs are.

tygertung - 2021-02-09 11:49:00

M/b's often have a mix of USB2 AND USB3 ports.
Sometimes both on the back
Sometimes a mix on the front headers

Front ports can be a challenge if you need to convert the front plugs but not hard if you know what you are doing
Back ports are what ever they are.

mrfxit - 2021-02-09 12:22:00

csador wrote:

Wrong.
USB3 headers are different to USB2 headers on a motherboard normally, if youve got an older case with USB2 connectors you arent going to magically transform them into USB3 without some modifications

Have also seen USB port specs for USB3 on computers that have black plugs, not the std blue plugs

mrfxit - 2021-02-09 12:25:00

voyager4 wrote:

Is it possible to build a new pc tower inside an old case.

Yes, but new cases such as a Corsair have so many good features and rails for diskdrives and extra fans, together with the perspex window to see all the coloured lights.

The other consideration is the power supply, the new motherboards obviously have the latest connectors, you'll be using an SSD, maybe a hot graphics card, who knows. This may add up such that you'll need a new power supply, like 750watts, maybe the modular cabling type, maybe it would be nice to have a new case where all the cabling runs down the underside and is invisible? The cases aren't expensive, and they come with the blue USB3 headers and the audio connectors in just the right spot.

gyrogearloose - 2021-02-09 15:43:00

It may depend on the motherboard specs and how old the case is. I have done a few, since the mounting positions are fixed or adaptable. The main problem now seems to be associated with cooling and air flow, especially for the CPU and video card (if you use one). Some older cases may end up causing over-heating problems because of the placement of the case air vents.

mrploppy - 2021-02-09 17:34:00

you can also add a 3.5" connector block with usb 2 ports in the slot where the floppy drives usually sits - this is an old case so assume this is present. If not their is also the 5.25 option with ports in the slot occupied by you optical drive.
Newer mainboards usually have usb3.0 headers - looks like a 20 pin (?) connector 2x10 top of my head.

acura - 2021-02-10 14:15:00