Upgrading Acer Aspire TC-1785, Can I fit the H61H6-AD motherboard in a mid tower case?

Samwise_Meek

Acer Aspire H61H6-AD Motherboard.jpg

Hi, folks.

I have an Acer Aspire TC-1785 desktop PC with the attached H61H6-AD motherboard (8-aux connector and 6-pin ATX connector). I recently upgraded some of the components, so now I have the following setup (which runs perfectly):

- Intel Core i5-14400 2.50 GHz processor
- 32.0 GB RAM
- 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
- Nvidia GForce RTX 3050 8GB GPU

This runs on a Philips 4K 60Hz monitor and running BG3 on medium/high settings achieving around 75-80 FPS (after restricting some of the Nvidia app background processes).

In order to power the GPU, I swapped out a proprietary 150W output PSU for an Acer 500W output PSU, however this PSU is made for a mid tower. I've managed to customise a bracket that holds it in place and there are no apparent issues, and everything is secure. The GPU reaches temperatures up to 75-80°C, which I believe is fine(…?).

I've been thinking about switching out the tower to a mid case to a) properly accommodate the PSU and b) to have a fan-cooling system. Would this be advisable, given my current setup, and would the H61H6AD motherboard fit in a mid case?

New to this, so really appreciate you help, guys :)

[Edited the thread to add model name and issue detail to the title]

billsey

That DTX motherboard has a "diving board" out the front that brings the ports out. Most third party cases won't have their front ports in the right position to mate up with where they are on the motherboard. So bringing the front ports out will be somewhat problematic and likely require some really creative cabling. You are really stretching the design of the TC-1785 models as you are, you would likely have been better to start with a Predator or Nitro desktop instead. I'd be tempted to stick with the existing case so those ports are useful, and look at whether the Noctua NH-U9S coolers will fit. We see a lot of people using those on the Predator Orion 3000 cases, which are similar in size to yours.