How do I find out if my motherboard is compatible with my case?

Question

Building upwards on How do I find compatible motherboard for my computer?

After purchasing the m/b http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Intel_Socket_1156/P7P55DE_PRO/ which, as the specification says, has an ATX form-factor, I got me a CC 515 cabinet from http://www.entercircle.com/ (the site uses flash )+: hence just the path to the homepage)

Albeit the case specification states Full ATX form-factor, the P7P55D-E PRO is a tight fit .Local shops shy away at opening up the case, and websites list a number of case and specifications; so my question what do I look for in the cabinet/motherboard specification to determine whether the two are compatible with sufficient room ?

EDIT: As an aside I'm looking at http://www.primeabgb.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=619&category_id=52&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=53 ... but that is specific to me; my intent with the question is um if anybody else encounters a similar situation they'll have something to refer back to (if i may be so bold)

Answer 1

What you're experiencing here is a conflict between case and mainboard design. Both the case and the mainboard may conform to the full- or mid- ATX specification, but within that specification there is not usually requirements as to where connectors go on the board, or where bays are arranged in the case or chassis.

This is just something you have to deal with and be careful of, there is not another specification or label that will guarantee better fit.

Prior examining and comparison of the desired mainboard and case are the only way around this issue.

It seems to me the CC515 is a mid-size ATX case rather than a full-size. But that difference is not generally a truly different specification, just a different size case.

I believe the only different ATX specs are Micro ATX and ATX (or full ATX). Micro ATX cases and boards are very small and usually found in very specialized systems such as those made by Shuttle.