EATX in Meshify C

[dexT]

I've seen on the videos for this case people say EATX won't fit but I didn't see it proven either way. It looks like it would fit but possibly block the cable grommets, which is fine, the board has a 90deg 24-pin so it would be too tight even if the cable fits through probably.

 

How about the rad offset on top? 280+fans clear the board OK?

[JaegerB]

Well, there wouldn't be holes for standoffs. So no, it doesn't fit.

[dexT]

Just now, JaegerB said:

Well, there wouldn't be holes for standoffs. So no, it doesn't fit.

I'm talking desktop EATX not server so the holes are exactly the same, it's just a bit wider PCB.

[Ithanul]

It is call getting friendly with a dremel.

I stuff an EATX into a Define S.  Of course, said Define S was hacked with a dremel.

Probably will have to be the same case if you want to fit an EATX into a Meshify C.

[JaegerB]

1 minute ago, dexT said:

I'm talking desktop EATX not server so the holes are exactly the same, it's just a bit wider PCB.

Ok. Well the define-c is practically identical (inside) and I have seen EATX builds in those. I'm not sure about rad clearance though.

[dexT]

2 minutes ago, Ithanul said:

It is call getting friendly with a dremel.

I stuff an EATX into a Define S.  Of course, said Define S was hacked with a dremel.

Probably will have to be the same case if you want to fit an EATX into a Meshify C.

I should have said in OP it's a EVGA Z97 Classified so not server spec. That sounds really cool though.

 

3 minutes ago, JaegerB said:

Ok. Well the define-c is practically identical (inside) and I have seen EATX builds in those. I'm not sure about rad clearance though.

Does it have the raised cable management channel? That's what might collide with the edge of the board.

[JaegerB]

4 minutes ago, dexT said:

Does it have the raised cable management channel? That's what might collide with the edge of the board.

Apologies for the large image, it's all i could find. Sadly, yes. There appears to be a large raised section including the grommets. Then again, the define c has the same channel and I've seen eatx in them. I'll do some more digging.

[PCGuy_5960]

@dexT Get the Phanteks Enthoo Pro instead:

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/mn3RsY/phanteks-case-phes614pbk

Costs the same, but it supports E-ATX and has way more room for radiators

[JaegerB]

Alright. So I found this post about the Define S and EATX. The case interiors are practically the same.

Quote

I realize this is a necro-bump...but I couldn't contain my excitement and I think this is important info for people who have this case...

 

The Define S CAN fit an EATX motherboard...with a bit of fannagling.

I have an E759 Classified x58 in this case. (Not to mention a Prestige x2-240 (2x 140mm rad) and a hardware labs stealth 3x140mm Rad in the ceiling for a total of 5x140mm rad space (tight fit).

I bought the E759 thinking it would be a great upgrade for my x5650 xeon. Nope. Didn't fit, but I had an idea...

 

In order to make the E759 (EATX) mobo fit, you need to do this:

 

1) You need to STACK 2x motherboard standoffs (Screw one into the other for double the height) and put 3 of these 2x stacks of standoffs into the holes that are closest to the front of the case.

2) Use a single standoff in the row of holes closest to the IO panel

3) Unscrew the black standoff placeholder in the middle of the mobo tray that comes with the case and stack that with one standoff.

4) If you can find them...very hard to find you can stack 1 normal sized standoff and one half-height standoff for the middle row of standoff holes.

 

If you do the above the E-ATX motherboard will slope gently downward and will fit...tightly.

Downsides:

1) It will eat up half of the grommet space on the the mobo tray (much like the photoshopped picture above) and there is a some pressure on the mobo from the grommets...but it still works.

2) You do risk bowing the PCB when screwing in a heatsink.

3) If your SATA ports are sideways facing, you can potentially loose the bottom row. It's also quite a tight fit if you want to use the cable management grommets. An angled SATA cable may help with this

He even included pics  

I hope this answers your question.

[JaegerB]

1 minute ago, PCGuy_5960 said:

Costs the same, but it supports E-ATX and has way more room for radiators

I must say though, it isn't quite as pretty  The front of the meshify is stunning

[PCGuy_5960]

Just now, JaegerB said:

I must say though, it isn't quite as pretty  The front of the meshify is stunning

Definitely, but it's a HUGE case, so it would be better for the OP's needs.  

[Ithanul]

28 minutes ago, dexT said:

I should have said in OP it's a EVGA Z97 Classified so not server spec. That sounds really cool though.

 

Does it have the raised cable management channel? That's what might collide with the edge of the board.

Mine was not server spec.  It was an Asus X79 RIVBE.  That should give you an idea a bit on space.  Not sure how much the Meshify C differs.

 

Yeah, just looked up your board size  Not looking good.

 

12.00" x 10.37" for your board.

My board 12.00" x 10.7"

 

It might fit, but looks like it will be close.

 

This what a X79 RIVBE looks laying in a Define S.  As you can see, it sits right on the bend.  By my understanding, the Cs are similar.

 

 

I think you out of luck unless you want to do some dremeling.

[dexT]

37 minutes ago, JaegerB said:

He even included pics  

I hope this answers your question.

 

30 minutes ago, Ithanul said:

12.00" x 10.37" for your board.

My board 12.00" x 10.7"

 

It might fit, but looks like it will be close.

 

This what a X79 RIVBE looks laying in a Define S.  As you can see, it sits right on the bend.  By my understanding, the Cs are similar.

 

 

I think you out of luck unless you want to do some dremeling.

Thank you both. It's close enough with the near .5in shorter than the R4E to risk it. Do you think the motherboard tray is thin enough to dent with a jig and mallet?

 

34 minutes ago, PCGuy_5960 said:

Definitely, but it's a HUGE case, so it would be better for the OP's needs.  

I want a small package( ) and this case would look awesome with the Classified/Klevv Urbane RAM.

[JaegerB]

2 minutes ago, dexT said:

Thank you both. It's close enough with the near .5in shorter than the R4E to risk it. Do you think the motherboard tray is thin enough to dent with a jig and mallet?

 

It's pretty well made (thicker than most), but so long as you're really careful you should be fine.

3 minutes ago, dexT said:

I want a small package( ) and this case would look awesome with the Classified/Klevv Urbane RAM.

I just looked up that RAM, I concur. It would look amazing.

[dexT]

2 minutes ago, JaegerB said:

It's pretty well made (thicker than most), but so long as you're really careful you should be fine.

I just looked up that RAM, I concur. It would look amazing.

I have an old 2011 AC Cuplex Kryos black delrin waterblock that's going to set it off as well 

[JaegerB]

1 minute ago, dexT said:

I have an old 2011 AC Cuplex Kryos black delrin waterblock that's going to set it off as well 

 

Oooh, post an appraisal here when you're done. I'm digging the black/gunmetal theme

[dexT]

1 minute ago, JaegerB said:

Oooh, post an appraisal here when you're done. I'm digging the black/gunmetal theme

For sure going to follow up. I'm waiting about another month before getting it and a bunch of other stuff I need for rigs. 

 

The funny thing is the block was for a X99M-WS and the RAM was the fastest cheap DDR3 I could find when it was needed so a coincidence I have these matching parts.

[Ithanul]

18 hours ago, dexT said:

 

Thank you both. It's close enough with the near .5in shorter than the R4E to risk it. Do you think the motherboard tray is thin enough to dent with a jig and mallet?

Yep, you should be able to dent.  The motherboard tray is not that thick of material (at least compare to LanLi, Case Lab, and Compact Splash cases I have).

[dexT]

11 minutes ago, Ithanul said:

Yep, you should be able to dent.  The motherboard tray is not that thick of material (at least compare to LanLi, Case Lab, and Compact Splash cases I have).

Thank you so much for the help.