Dell Specs

[ImprezaWRX48]

My parents just recently bought me a dell for a graduation gift and I was wondering whether I would be able to upgrade the mobo/case/ps and use the cpu + other parts that already came with the pc.

It's the Dimension 2400 model with the p4 2.66 ghz w 533 bus. The only problem is that it doesn't have an AGP slot so I was looking to upgrade the Mobo to like an MSI Neo-2 i865 mobo.

I heard that the cpu's can only go in dell mobos and no others, is that true?

Tnx :beer:

 

[Psych]

What? The cpu can only go in dell mobos? You can upgrade the processor to anything that fits the energy and FSB requirements. But changing the motherboard will be expensive, but it is possible. Dell uses standard sizes and trimmings. Don't get an 800 FSB cpu or DDR400 RAM until you upgrade the motherboard/cpu.

 

[mrwxyz]

changing the mobo may also mean chaning the psu.....i think they r made specifically for dell mobos, not 100% sure though

 

[nick1985]

by the time you "upgrade" you will have spent way more than the computer cost.

 

[sharq]

If all you're looking to do is upgrade the video, why not look into just getting a PCI video card? Chances are that will be cheaper than buying a new MB, and case/psu. I don't know for sure but I've heard their power supplies and cases are custom built.

 

[Pandamonium]

nick1985 hit the nail on the head.

I can't speak from experience, but I know that in the past, Dell has used proprietary PSUs, case panel connectors, and motherboards.

If this is still the case, you'd be looking at building a new computer and taking the HDD, Optical drive, and peripherals from the Dell. This, IMHO, isn't worth it unless you're a heavy gamer. If the latter is true, you might want to consider eBaying the Dell and ordering one that does have an AGP slot...

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: ImprezaWRX48
My parents just recently bought me a dell for a graduation gift and I was wondering whether I would be able to upgrade the mobo/case/ps and use the cpu + other parts that already came with the pc.

It's the Dimension 2400 model with the p4 2.66 ghz w 533 bus. The only problem is that it doesn't have an AGP slot so I was looking to upgrade the Mobo to like an MSI Neo-2 i865 mobo.

I heard that the cpu's can only go in dell mobos and no others, is that true?

Tnx :beer:

Why not just get with your parents, return the 2400, add a few bucks, and get a 4600/4700? Dell has *very* aggressive return policies, so I doubt you'd have any problems at all.

 

[CarrotStick]

Originally posted by: mrwxyz
changing the mobo may also mean chaning the psu.....i think they r made specifically for dell mobos, not 100% sure though

That was in that past. They use the standard ATX pinout now.

 

[tweeve2002]

Make sure you can fit a new motherboard in the Dell case, I know when I tried to upgrade my dell I couldnt get a new motherboard becasue it wouldnt fit because of the motherboard stand offs were diffternt in the Dell...I also had a Dell PSU, That was wired diffrently than the Standard PSU. I do know that some dells have standard PSUs now but not all. The only way to tell if your dell has a standard PSU or not is to get a PSU pin out diagram from online and compare it to yours.

 

[DaTute]

Dell won't want you to tear their computer up, so it's likely, like the others said, that many of the parts will be unusable. I reckon you *should* be able to salvage the cpu, ram, hdd, cd(s), and fdd. The other parts may be unusable. If you go ahead with the upgrade, you may end up spending out on a new mobo, psu, case, not to mention the shiny new video card to go in it.

 

[nick1985]

just send the dell back and buy a cheap athlonXP system.

 

[Cawchy87]

no way to upgrade cheap. If you just get a new mobo your dell psu will fry it. That and you will either have to get a new case or mod the case to fit the new mobo in there since it is a different size than the dell mobo's. PCI video cards are ok if your looking to play half-life at decent settings, but anything after that isn't really that playable. My advise: Sell the dell and buy a decent computer.

 

[Mik3y]

well, i guess they got you that computer hoping you wont play games in college when you should be studying! that really sux. even the best pci gfx card cant handle doom 3 or half-life 2 even decently. hmm...maybe you could try getting a dell motherboard that has agp and switch it in your system. try getting one off ebay or something. otherwise, you could sell your current one or return it and build your own system.

 

[VTEC01EX]

Just be glad your parents bought you something, and run the computer till you've got some of your own $$ to build exactly what you want.

 

[Budman]

My parents bought me a dell

My condolences.

 

[Lyfer]

Originally posted by: Budman

My parents bought me a dell

My condolences.

 

[Polishwonder74]

yeah, my condolences also.

Dell pwns you now, it'll cost an arm and a leg to get yourself out of this mess. It's a killer computer, but the only salvagable parts for your next upgrade will be the CD drives, hard drive and floppy (if you got one). Oh, I forgot keyboard, mouse and moniter.

btw, I gotta say I do love Dell's keyboards. Best in teh business.

 

[Abhi]

4 words for you:

21 day return policy

 

[Gunbuster]

I hate when people buy electronics or cars for other people without asking. set the rents straight and tell them to talk with you before buying gear.

Return that sucka and get a 4700, or 400SC

 

[otispunkmeyer]

u cant buy new mobos for it either i dont think...i remember my friend tried to move his mobo out of his dell rig to a new thermaltake case, but dell used some sorta wierd ATX and screw placement...in the end we could not make it fit.....he had to pay another 100 quid for the same mobo only retail this time

 

[tooltime]

take a look around the dell community forums and all the wide eyed people learning they can't replace (much of) anything on their dell.

but i really like abhi: 21 day (no questions asked) return. btw it's 21 days from invoice so hurry!

 

[nick1985]

is the OP ever coming back?

 

[Polishwonder74]

Word. They ain't bad computers really, they're just way too bastardized.

They'd be the perfect computer if they used all standard parts so that entry-level people could upgrade someday. . .

 

[ImprezaWRX48]

Tnx guys, man I didn't kno i'd get so reamed!

Yet after some hard thinking, I don't rly care too much about that... I figure i'll buy a nice Antec 3700AMB and a MSI Neo-2 Mobo which would be $200 CAD + maybe a 9800 pro or somethin sick when the prices drop and I start gaming.

Better to get $1000 CAD worth of parts for free and have to pay $200 to make it sick then have to pay $1200 of my own cash.

I figure I'll keep : CPU, HD, Ram, CD, Monitor, Windows, Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers
+ upgrade graphics, mobo + case/ps when i need to. I won't be playin any new games for a while so it's ok.

Tnx for the help.

 

[ImprezaWRX48]

Do you think the Intel Extreme Graphics could play Tribes 2, The Sims, Half-Life and War-Craft 3 at 800x600 res, medium quality? That's all i'll be playin most likely.