Inspiron 545 Desktop - Convert to HTPC???

Thanks for a really quick response and info!!

Regards and thanks again.

 piranhamoose

Dont listen to the above post saying, 99% of the time it wont fit or will need some hacking of sorts.  THAT GUY IS MISLEADING YOU!  Your Dell motherboard is a Micro-ATX and will fit any micro-atx and bigger cases.  I had a Dell Inspiron 531 which i inserted into an old alienware case without any "hacking" of anykind.  I then mounted an ASUS micro-atx mobo in my Dell case.   I also frequented these forums in the past when I wanted to modify my Dell Inspiron 531.  99% of the responses in these forums are intended to protect Dell's interests.  Discouraging you from doing anything yourself with your Dell. I hope these pics help and encourage you!   Peace...... and good luck! Dell mobo in a Mid tower atx case:   Micro atx mobo in a Dell Inspiron 531 case:

 piranhamoose

I don't see a back panel I/O shield installed.    :emotion-3:

Bev.

let us have the individual who asked the question determine whose response helped him the most. peace....

I believe the OP has, Davet50 received the Verified Answer.

Bev.

Of course not as then boards wouldn't fit without hacking up the case,  and piranhamoose Just a FYI, those of us who post are NOT DELL employees we are just other users helping other users.

:emotion-21:   LOL. 

Bev.

Of course not as then boards wouldn't fit without hacking up the case,  and piranhamoose Just a FYI, those of us who post are NOT DELL employees we are just other users helping other users.

The question was will a Dell mobo fit a generic atx case without hacking the case.  Answer.... Yes it will fit and mount without hacking  up the case.    I/O face plate totally different.  No need to cut or " hack" a hole in the back of an atx case for the mobo to fit.  Mounting holes on the mobo line up perfectly in a generic atx case.  Generic atx cases do not come with I/O face plates, so if youre ok without a faceplate for cosmetic reasons, cool.  But if you want to fabricate a faceplate, youre not "hacking" up the case.

let us have the individual who asked the question determine whose response helped him the most.

peace....

Of course not as then boards wouldn't fit without hacking up the case,  and piranhamoose Just a FYI, those of us who post are NOT DELL employees we are just other users helping other users.

Some Dell microATX cases don't have detachable IO shields. The Vostro 220s is one of them. And perhaps this model is?

The Dimension 3000, however, is not. I should post a picture of mine, which currently sports an MSI mainboard with quad-core AMD CPU and DDR3 memory. The mainboard screw holes lined up perfectly, the front panel and USB connectors fit without modification, the new board's IO shield slipped in place effortlessly, and the 92mm generic fan's mounting holes lined up with the holes on the back of the case. The end result purrs like the proverbial kitten!

Good Morning All,

It's the ungodly hour of 8am Sunday here in Australia and my Inbox is full!!! ;-0

Thank you to all concerned! Okay, I now do believe the mATX from Dell will fit, but being a perfectionist,

I would like a dust cover in the form of a I/O plate...

So basically, I have decided to the following madness:

Silverstone LC20B HTPC Chassis

Intel BLKDQ45CB Motherboard

CPU Fan: CoolerMaster Vortex Plus

Scythe S-Flex Rear Fans (x2)

Then, unfortunately to save on costs, the Dell 545 will be stripped of processor, memory, optical drives etc

to make up the HTPC.

Thanks for the passion and the answers!! Have a great weekend.

Regards,

Rob.

I believe your replies have been the most helpful to the person concerned, Bev.  

I believe your replies have been the most helpful to the person concerned, Bev.

No, I don't think so, only added my two cents to a very interesting thread.  

Have a great weekend.

Bev.

Bring THAT on, Jeff!!!

Beer on tap when I am assembling the bloody thing, that's for sure!!

Rob.