Dell computer questions...

[Tomahawk]

Hi,

My friend has a Dell Dimension 4600. he doesnt want the standard case and wants me to get him another one (with window and neons etc etc) and transfer the dell bits over. But I was wondering...Is the motherboard that you get with it a standard ATX one or will it not fit a standard case?

As I have heard before that dell make there own parts. If anyone could clear this up that would be great.

Thanks

Toma_Hawk

[funnelhead]

Well i know that the connectors on the psu and mobo are dell specific - to make you come back and buy upgrades from Dell to fit the psu.

Sorry don't know whether they have standard mounting holes however changing over a few plastic connectors is pretty easy - changing the mountings would require designing the motherboard specifically - alot more expensive and so less likely i would think!

Open it up and look inside! take a ruler!

[chrisf6969]

It was only OLDER Dell's which had proprietary PSU/motherboards. Supposedly the newer ones (like the past 2 years or so) all have standard PSU's and motherboard connectors.

However, if you do have an non-standard PSU plug, you can buy an adapter so you can use a dell mobo with a normal ATX PSU. ex: http://www.endpcnoise.com/cgi-bin/e/dellconverter.html

[r1zeek]

Yeah, i don't think they make their own specific kit (mobos and PSU's) because as funnelhead said (now theres a rhym for ya!) changing all the connectors and mounting holes would cost them a load, and for no real gain.
Just take a look in his case, if it uses the standard system, screws and standoffs then your alright.
I doubt quite alot that they would use anything different to ATX as this is pretty much standard in all off the shelf jobbies (apart from eMachines who give you a mini-ATX board, which don't even support AGP 8X!)

[Tomahawk]

Thanks alot this has made things some what clearer especially about the power supply. Thanks alot will definately have a look for myself but me friend isn't very computer literate so i'll have to take a look.

Thanks

Toma_Hawk

[Romanov]

Thats confused me then we had this discussion a while ago and I was sure people told me that my dimension 8250 like most dells are not atx standard nor are there motherboards if u tried to use an atx psu this would fry the mobo. Ill try and find the thread but Im sure this is non atx as dell say so on the site.

[Romanov]

btw ive seen the adapter but if theres adapters out there for sale surely that prove4s the point - non atx standard?

[Romanov]

http://www.upgradingandrepairingpcs....ade3_01_01.asp

"If you do decide to upgrade the motherboard in your Dell system (purchased on or after 09/98)_then there is a simple solution, just make sure you replace both the motherboard AND power supply with industry standard ATX components at the same time. That way nothing gets fried, and you'll be back to having a true industry standard ATX system. If you want to replace just the Dell motherboard, you're out of luck unless you get your replacement board from Dell. On the other hand if you want to replace just the power supply, you do have one alternative. PC Power and Cooling now makes a version of their high performance 300W ATX power supply with the modified Dell wiring for about $110" quote

[Romanov]

but if u want to go higher then its new mobo and new psu

[turkster]

In my experience DELL tower cases are pretty good. If i were your friend i would consider modding the dell case and fitting neons etc. This way you save the trouble of moving everything around and fitting components.

[chrisf6969]

http://www.upgradingandrepairingpcs....ade3_01_01.asp

"If you do decide to upgrade the motherboard in your Dell system (purchased on or after 09/98)_then there is a simple solution, just make sure you replace both the motherboard AND power supply with industry standard ATX components at the same time. That way nothing gets fried, and you'll be back to having a true industry standard ATX system. If you want to replace just the Dell motherboard, you're out of luck unless you get your replacement board from Dell. On the other hand if you want to replace just the power supply, you do have one alternative. PC Power and Cooling now makes a version of their high performance 300W ATX power supply with the modified Dell wiring for about $110" quote

Not sure I believe some website trying to sell a $25 PSU for $110.

[Tomahawk]

In my experience DELL tower cases are pretty good. If i were your friend i would consider modding the dell case and fitting neons etc. This way you save the trouble of moving everything around and fitting components.

He hasn't a clue how to do any of that! For instance i asked him to see inside his case (take a picture or through webcam) but he didnt know how to open it! hmm i'll have to have a chat with him.

Thanks for all your help.

Toma_Hawk

[Romanov]

hi,
im not sayign dells are bad they are very good machines its just when u come to upgrade u get the problems otherwise Ive had no problems with mine.

[James Bond]

Why can't anyone just answer the question?!?!!?

Tomahawk - I feel you. I have a Dell Dimension 4100 but I hate the case and want to transfer the innards to a new case, so I've been trying to find out if the motherboard is ATX or not. The back I/O panel is yet another thing I'll have to worry about . . .

Most posters want to do the exact opposite (keep the case but change the mobo), which is frustrating in itself, but even the advice given to these people (which may help answer my question) is more often than not useless because it either doesn't answer the original question or is full of misinformation (i.e. people who think they know what they are talking about, but they really don't and are just guessing - there are way too many of these self-prolaimed "experts" trolling around these forums!).

I have heard ad nauseum that the Dell power supply is not necessarily standard and so an ATX one will fry your motherboard (this is actually a useful piece of information). I haven't tried it myself but they sell ATX to Dell PSU adapters so it may be true.

Turkster - you obviously haven't seen very many Dell cases , especially from the 4K era (mine is 4100). They are fugly. AT least mine is. Not only that but the front panel is loose. Why would I want to pimp out such a piece of crap? It would be like putting spinners on a 1989 Ford Escort (the U.S. model that is, not the nicer euro model).

I guess I'll keep on looking . . . .

(P.S. I was a bit harsh. Some of you did answer the question (sort of). But better an "I don't Know" than a B.S. answer . . .)

[staffsMike]

Errr dude.. that post was over 4 years ago.

If it helps I have used standard ATX PSU's to power SFF dells before without issue. The boards are genereally either proprietory or BTX and so will not fit a standard ATX case. The easist way to figure it out though is to just have a look.. if you apreciate the difference between ATX and BTX it's probably going to be obvious.

[Nelsaidi]

a 4 year bump :O

Seriously get a new pc, imo upgrading a 4+year old dell isnt a good idea .