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Need help, is it possible to move X51 components to a larger ATX style case?

post #1 of 19
4/1/12 at 7:20am
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Wife got me an Alienware X51 for Valentines day, not a bad little rig but have a problem. I wanted to upgrade the video and I'm finding out there's just not enough room (obviously). Is it possible to move this style of motherboard to a larger case so I can have more room?
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post #2 of 19
4/1/12 at 7:26am
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It depends since Alienware probably uses a custom motherboard form factor. If they do, then you won't be able too. Also, if you upgrade the GPU, the PSU probably won't be able to follow, cooling will not be sufficient, etc. These little machines usually give up expandability for profit or size (especially with the X51). Either keep it that way or, if you still can, return it and ask some knowledgeable people in the AMD or Intel section to help you build a mATX (Small Form Factors would also work actually) or even mITX rig which should be about as small and more powerful for the money. There are also the Shuttle barebones that could be a good option (a motherboard with a PSU and a case, you add RAM, CPU, GPU, HDDs, etc.) and they're small too.
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post #3 of 19
4/1/12 at 7:27am
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It's a regular mini-ITX motherboard right? As long as whichever ATX case you purchase has holes/cutouts for the mITX motherboard you should be OK. Just make sure that the stock power supply can deliver enough power for your card, if not then plan on replacing it.
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post #4 of 19
4/1/12 at 7:33am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mingqi53 View Post

It's a regular mini-ITX motherboard right? As long as whichever ATX case you purchase has holes/cutouts for the mITX motherboard you should be OK. Just make sure that the stock power supply can deliver enough power for your card, if not then plan on replacing it.

After looking around, it's indeed a mITX board so any mITX case would do but upgrade the PSU before changing the GPU or it will probably blow up.
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post #5 of 19
4/1/12 at 7:36am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Snowmen View Post

After looking around, it's indeed a mITX board so any mITX case would do but upgrade the PSU before changing the GPU or it will probably blow up.

That was the plan, getting a different case and psu at same time, any recommendations on a case?
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post #6 of 19
4/1/12 at 7:43am
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Are you sure you want an ATX case? If you don't plan on doing a tri-SLI/CF setup and don't have a bajillion optical drives/HDDs/SSDs, you should consider an mATX case.

If you want something "gamer-looking", you should check out the NZXT Vulcan. It is an older case, but the airflow is extremely nice for an mATX case (mesh side panel capable of fitting a 200mm intake fan, 2x 120mm exhaust fans at the top, 1x 120mm front intake, 92/80mm exhaust), has two built-in fan controllers so you can rev up your fans when gaming and turn them down when just websurfing, and a switch to turn the LED lights on/off.

If you want something more elegant, you should check out some Lian Li or Silverstone mATX cases on Newegg. If you need ideas, check out this thread: http://www.overclock.net/t/541767/club-for-those-with-beastly-matx-itx-rigs/3240_40

^-start from the most recent and work your way back.. it's a fairly large thread!
Edited by mingqi53 - 4/1/12 at 7:45am
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post #7 of 19
4/1/12 at 7:47am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Snowmen View Post

After looking around, it's indeed a mITX board so any mITX case would do but upgrade the PSU before changing the GPU or it will probably blow up.

Definitely get a new power supply, website shows they come with 240 or 330 watt power supply... LOL
I can only imagine how bad the amps are with wattage like that!!
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post #8 of 19
4/1/12 at 7:48am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mingqi53 View Post

Are you sure you want an ATX case? If you don't plan on doing a tri-SLI/CF setup and don't have a bajillion optical drives/HDDs/SSDs, you should consider an mATX case.
If you want something "gamer-looking", you should check out the NZXT Vulcan. It is an older case, but the airflow is extremely nice for an mATX case (mesh side panel capable of fitting a 200mm intake fan, 2x 120mm exhaust fans at the top, 1x 120mm front intake, 92/80mm exhaust), has two built-in fan controllers so you can rev up your fans when gaming and turn them down when just websurfing, and a switch to turn the LED lights on/off.
If you want something more elegant, you should check out some Lian Li or Silverstone mATX cases on Newegg. If you need ideas, check out this thread: http://www.overclock.net/t/541767/club-for-those-with-beastly-matx-itx-rigs/3240_40
^-start from the most recent and work your way back.. it's a fairly large thread!

I was just looking at that, actually but was looking at this one as well: http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/product.php?product_id=2912&product_name=CM%20Storm%20Scout
It also seems the the gpu mounts differently in the X51 standing up rather than horizontal, is this going to be a problem when switching?
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post #9 of 19
4/1/12 at 8:35am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by callsignBEER View Post

I was just looking at that, actually but was looking at this one as well: http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/product.php?product_id=2912&product_name=CM%20Storm%20Scout
It also seems the the gpu mounts differently in the X51 standing up rather than horizontal, is this going to be a problem when switching?

Haha I actually had the CM Storm Scout for my very first build, before I downsized to my current sig rig. Having a 20" tall monstrosity on your desk that casts a shadow on your work area is inconvenient heh

http://hothardware.com/articleimages/item1794/big_graphics-out.jpg
^--It looks like the graphics card just has a PCI-E riser of sorts, e.g.: http://www.logicsupply.com/products/pcie_101l_16

In other words, the mini-ITX motherboard should just have standard PCI-E lanes.

After looking at teardown pictures of the X51 (http://hothardware.com/Reviews/Dell-Alienware-X51-Small-Form-Factor-PC-Gaming-Refined/?page=3) I'm wondering if it would even be worth the trouble of transplanting the components. What model graphics card are you looking to replace the one in the X51 with?
Edited by mingqi53 - 4/1/12 at 8:40am
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post #10 of 19
4/1/12 at 8:39am
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Just something better than the 545, mid-range with a bit more of a life span.
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