Enlight EN-8950 Server Extended ATX

The no frills approach to the motherboard installation process with the 8950 is to be expected from Enlight.   Neither a slide out motherboard tray nor a quick and easy way of installing the motherboard is provided for with the 8950, rather the standard set of metal standoffs are the only tools the 8950 leaves available for motherboard installation.

Since the 8950 is designed for use with extended ATX form factor boards while maintaining compatibility with all other forms of the ATX specification, there are quite a few positions for standoffs on the motherboard tray.  Our test bed ABIT BX6 Revision 2.0 motherboard naturally fit into the case without any problems, however the true test would be to use an extended ATX motherboard. 

The dual Xeon boards, all extended ATX form factor, we tested out in the case installed very easily and left us with quite a bit of room to work with.  The 24" depth of the 8950 definitely comes in handy when you're dealing with motherboard installation.  At the same time, the 9" width of the case is more than enough to support the installation of a Xeon processor with the heatsink support and still offer a good amount of vertical clearance above the motherboard to work with.

The 8950 is free from many dangerously sharp edges, even around the drive rail contact points where sharp edges normally emerge.  Unfortunately the base of the case is a very different story as it does contain quite a few sharp edges that would provide for quite the unpleasant experience if we had accidentally rubbed up against them during the installation of the motherboard.  Luckily, with a case of this size, squeezing into tight (and sharp) areas isn't a situation you are often placed in.