I really hope I can get some help on this, I've heard it's possible but I want to be absolutely sure I know everything I need to know before I start spending money.
A couple years ago I bought a Gateway SX2800, and the specs were great. It had everything I wanted. Only problem is, the video card it came with requires a bit more power, and it was only recently (when the video card burnt out) I discovered that the power supply is NOT powerful enough to handle the system at all.
Now, I'd replace the power supply, except I want something a little more powerful. Problem is, the size of the tower puts all kinds of limits on what can be done with it. It's a pain, really, because the big selling point, even on Gateway's website, is that it's "all power" in a compact case. If only.
The dimensions on the thing, by the way: it's 4" wide, 11" high, 14" deep.
I've done some personal tinkering and modding of PC components before, but transplanting all the guts of the thing is something I've never done, and am not 100% confident I could do. Fortunately I know a guy that I trust who will happily do it for for me.
So, I want a new case, for lots of reasons. So I can have a better power supply to properly accomodate my system, so I can have better ventilation, so I can add to it at my leisure. Only thing is, I've had conflicting "opinions". They guy I trust and who will do the work for me says it really should be no problem, but he admitted he doesn't know all of what's out there for cases and to shop around for some other input.
I asked someone who has (supposedly) 20+ years computer modding experience and he said it absolutely cannot be done because the motherboards are "built differently". True enough, the mothherboard is mounted on the left side and the case opens on the right, but visually comparing it to an older computer I have, it looks really no different if just a little smaller and upside down.
I took some pics of the system and components I can upload if necessary, but really I just want to know if I need a certain type of case, or if it's not something I have to worry about, or if it's an impossibly lost cause.