Acer Predator Orion 3000 PO3-640 - Will the motherboard transfer into a new case?

AD2525
AD2525 Member Posts: 9

Tinkerer
in Predator Desktops

Ideally. I am looking to transfer everything to the iCUE 220T RGB Tempered Glass Mid-Tower Smart Case. Is this possible or is there anything I need to be aware of first? I've decided I would like a RGB CPU cooler but the existing case doesn't have the space.

Answers

  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,891 Trailblazer
    It should fit fine but might not be quite a drop in replacement for the Acer box. For example, mounting holes might not line up perfectly so you'd have to deal with that.  Can only give you general ACER guide lines as follows.

    Choosing a Computer Case
    The motherboard complies with the specifications for the ATX system case. Some features on the motherboard are implemented by cabling connectors on the motherboard to indicators and switches on the system case. Make sure that your case supports all the features required.
    Most cases have a choice of I/O templates in the rear panel. Make sure that the I/O template in the case matches the I/O ports installed on the rear edge of the motherboard. This motherboard carries an ATX form factor of 305 x 272 mm. Choose a case that accommodates this form
    factor.

    Installing the Motherboard in a Case
    Refer to the following illustrations & instructions below for installing the motherboard in a case. Most system cases have mounting brackets installed in the case, which correspond the holes in the motherboard. Place the motherboard over the mounting brackets and secure the motherboard onto the mounting brackets with screws.









    Jack E/NJ

  • billsey
    billsey ACE Posts: 34,219 Trailblazer
    Yes, it will fit in and the mounts will match up, but you will lose access to those front IO ports.
    Click on "Like" if you find my answer useful or click on "Yes" if it answers your question.
  • AD2525
    AD2525 Member Posts: 9

    Tinkerer
    Thanks guys for your answers, they are really helpful.

    Next question. 😊

    If the case I am looking to change to has the front controls, as per picture below along with required connectors, does the Acer mobo have the required connectors to connect everything up?

    I need to upgrade my PSU, am I best going for a fully modular PSU (Corsair RM750)?

    Is the PCIe 1 x 1 slot free for use? 




  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,891 Trailblazer
    edited August 2022
    Yes, it should have all those ports, switches, buttons & jacks if they exist on the outside of the OEM case now. Perhaps you should download the users manual from the document section of this link and follow instructions to take a peek inside to see exactly what you have inside now and exactly what you might be up against with the new case. Changing OEM to non-OEM cases like this isn't something that documented with 100% accuracy in the Acer users or service manuals. Only general guidelines. You may have to tinker as it very likely won't be a drop in.


    Jack E/NJ

  • GotBanned
    GotBanned Member Posts: 654 Seasoned Specialist WiFi Icon
    AD2525 said:

    I need to upgrade my PSU, am I best going for a fully modular PSU (Corsair RM750)?


    If you are planning on upgrading your PSU, it would be a lot easier if you also bought a "normal" motherboard. It'd make swapping cases and transplanting components easier, and most new motherboards will offer you better features (higher RAM speeds and XMP, more fan connectors, more storage expandability etc.) than what your current motherboard does.

    From the pictures posted above, to me it looks like your current motherboard is designed to use new ATX12vo power supplies. Most PSUs out there are still using older ATX. These two standards have some fundamental differences of which you can read more online. But in short, common ATX PSU will be quite difficult to connect to your current motherboard.

    Sorry to be Debbie Downer here.
  • AD2525
    AD2525 Member Posts: 9

    Tinkerer
    GotBanned said:
    AD2525 said:

    I need to upgrade my PSU, am I best going for a fully modular PSU (Corsair RM750)?


    If you are planning on upgrading your PSU, it would be a lot easier if you also bought a "normal" motherboard. It'd make swapping cases and transplanting components easier, and most new motherboards will offer you better features (higher RAM speeds and XMP, more fan connectors, more storage expandability etc.) than what your current motherboard does.

    From the pictures posted above, to me it looks like your current motherboard is designed to use new ATX12vo power supplies. Most PSUs out there are still using older ATX. These two standards have some fundamental differences of which you can read more online. But in short, common ATX PSU will be quite difficult to connect to your current motherboard.

    Sorry to be Debbie Downer here.

    As the Corsair RM750X has three ATX12V 8 PIN (4+4) cables, does that mean I can use this PSU on my existing Acer mobo?

     

  • GotBanned
    GotBanned Member Posts: 654 Seasoned Specialist WiFi Icon
    edited August 2022
    Ho there!


    Unfortunately it's not possible to use that particular PSU and Acer mobo together. Well, unless you find or make some adapters, but personally I wouldn't risk it. You see, most modern motherboards are powered by 24-pin ATX connectors. That would be the uppermost cable mentioned in your post.

    When I look at the motherboard pictures posted earlier, I don't see 24-pin connector anywhere. This would mean that the motherboard is designed for the new ATX12vo standard in mind. Linus made a VIDEO about this topic. I admit that it is not the best explanation out there, but at least it is something. By looking at those pics it looks like your current mobo needs a 6-pin connector named ATX_power and some additional connectors in the upper left corner.

    The easiest would be to get a new PSU, transplant your components to a new mobo and case. If you go this way, you could still use front I/O and have other benefits I mentioned in my earlier post.

    Or, you can keep using your current motherboard and PSU. If you go this way, you won't be able to use your new case's front USB or audio jack. You may also have some problems with the power button, but that is only one 2-pin cable.

    I remember that someone on this forum did this case swap the hard way. Maybe you can find his post if you look for it?

    EDIT: Here are few examples of using old mobo and PSU. Scroll down. I'm sure there are more if you look for them. https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/639372/success-cpu-cooler-ez-swap-po3-620-i7-10700
  • AD2525
    AD2525 Member Posts: 9

    Tinkerer
    GotBanned said:
    Ho there!


    Unfortunately it's not possible to use that particular PSU and Acer mobo together. Well, unless you find or make some adapters, but personally I wouldn't risk it. You see, most modern motherboards are powered by 24-pin ATX connectors. That would be the uppermost cable mentioned in your post.

    When I look at the motherboard pictures posted earlier, I don't see 24-pin connector anywhere. This would mean that the motherboard is designed for the new ATX12vo standard in mind. Linus made a VIDEO about this topic. I admit that it is not the best explanation out there, but at least it is something. By looking at those pics it looks like your current mobo needs a 6-pin connector named ATX_power and some additional connectors in the upper left corner.

    The easiest would be to get a new PSU, transplant your components to a new mobo and case. If you go this way, you could still use front I/O and have other benefits I mentioned in my earlier post.

    Or, you can keep using your current motherboard and PSU. If you go this way, you won't be able to use your new case's front USB or audio jack. You may also have some problems with the power button, but that is only one 2-pin cable.

    I remember that someone on this forum did this case swap the hard way. Maybe you can find his post if you look for it?

    EDIT: Here are few examples of using old mobo and PSU. Scroll down. I'm sure there are more if you look for them. https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/639372/success-cpu-cooler-ez-swap-po3-620-i7-10700
    Thanks for the links and details of previous posts, genuinely really helpful. Would the ATX12VO Adapter Cable from Corsair be a workaround? 

    ATX12VO Adapter Cable 
  • GotBanned
    GotBanned Member Posts: 654 Seasoned Specialist WiFi Icon
    edited August 2022
    No worries. We are here to help, right?

    Can't really say for sure if that adapter will work or not. But the last time I mentioned it to someone as a possibility, the adapter was listed on the site but there was no stock.

    I managed to find another post that might interest you. It is about PO3-620, but I suppose the connectors on the boards are the same.

    https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/660754/po3-620-psu-swap-succesful

    Below is the most interesting part form the post.

    "[...]To the point - Most ATX power supplies have 24 pin main power connector that won't fit the PO3 mobo cause it uses 2 four pin power connectors for CPU and one 6pin for the mobo, discs are powered from the mobo, not from the PSU like in other PC's. Basically all you need is this little 24 pin to 6 pin ATX PSU adapter from Amazon, It is supposed to work with Dell mobo's and as it turned out today (I don't think anyone did this before) it also works for Acer. Do not buy that HP 6+6 pin adapter, It won't work.[...]

    Before ordering anything, please wait until the heavyweights of this forum have shared their opinions.
  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,891 Trailblazer
    As mentioned earlier, you should download the users manual from the document section of this link and follow instructions remove the sides and take a peek inside to see exactly what you have inside now and what you might be up against with the new case.

    Changing OEM to non-OEM cases like this isn't something that's documented with 100% accuracy in the Acer users or service manuals. Only general guidelines. You may have to tinker as it very likely won't be a drop-in 

    https://www.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/support-product/9214?b=1

    Jack E/NJ

  • billsey
    billsey ACE Posts: 34,219 Trailblazer
    That adapter will not work as is... It has a ten pin connector for the motherboard, instead of a six and four.
    Click on "Like" if you find my answer useful or click on "Yes" if it answers your question.
  • arturs706
    arturs706 Member Posts: 3 New User

    Hi there,

    Does anyone know if I can change SSD for this particular motherboard?

    I purchased original PC with 256GB SSD in there, and unfortunately, the space is not enough for me?

    Thank you

  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,891 Trailblazer

    Sure. You should be able install or add up to another 2TB SSD. Just download the user manual from the Acer documents downloads to see how it's done.

    https://www.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/support-product/9214?b=1

    Jack E/NJ

  • arturs706
    arturs706 Member Posts: 3 New User

    Hi Jack

    Thank you for your response.

    As I cannot find the particular manual, I can see that I do have a SSD installed right underneath of CPU cooler, and the question is, would Seagate FireCuda 530, 1 TB, Internal SSD, M.2 PCIe Gen4 ×4 NVMe 1.4 suit as the second drive?

    Also, I do have 2 x 8GB Kingston 62852E71 DDR4-3200 RAM, do you think I could add up further two Corsair VENGEANCE RGB PRO DDR4 LED Light Enhancement Kit - Black - CMWLEKIT2 x 2, so I can have 32GB all together?


    Thank you

  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,891 Trailblazer

    The user manual is at this link

    https://global-download.acer.com/GDFiles/Document/User%20Manual/User%20Manual_Acer_1.0_A_A.pdf?acerid=637770579157800015&Step1=DESKTOP&Step2=PREDATOR&Step3=PREDATOR%20PO3-640&OS=ALL&LC=en&BC=ACER&SC=PA_6

    Yes the 2nd empty m.2 should support a Gen4x4 up to 2TB. You should also try to match the Kingston specs as closely as possible with the 16GB Corsair light kit. However, you will not notice much if any performance difference between 16GB and 32GB except for more lights.

    Jack E/NJ

  • billsey
    billsey ACE Posts: 34,219 Trailblazer

    Also be aware that there isn't a 2TB limit on the SSD... If you can afford it there are larger ones available.

    Click on "Like" if you find my answer useful or click on "Yes" if it answers your question.
  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,891 Trailblazer

    >>>Also be aware that there isn't a 2TB limit on the SSD... If you can afford it there are larger ones available.>>>


    Yes, and they can be finickier too. 🙂

    Jack E/NJ

  • arturs706
    arturs706 Member Posts: 3 New User

    Thank you everyone!

    This is sorted.

  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,891 Trailblazer

    Sounds good. How did you sort it? 🙂

    Jack E/NJ

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