Reforming a Dell

[Lee`]

I recently ran 3dmark06 and for my spec of computer is one of the worst performing, so I was thinking of replacing the GPU fan and overclocking the GPU (7900GS) and replacing the mobo so I can overclock the CPU. (E6600)

Should the PSU the dell shipped with be able to handle overclocking (as I've read that all the components will play a part in how much I can overclock) and I was thinking about which mobo to go for. I don't plan on setting up a sli confige, and it's only really so I can get the most out of my current config. Any suggestion would be appreciated.

Lee

[Flewis]

Dell psu's are notoriously bad, but have a look at what its rated for, firstly the total wattage but also the combined amps on the 12V rails. Post details for more advice.

[Lee`]

Shall I find these details from looking at the sticker on the PSU or is there a program so I don't have to pop the side panel off.

[Flewis]

the sticker on the psu should have it

[Tobeman]

PSU details are on the side of the PSU and you won't be able to use software to obtain them.

Have you removed all the crap-tacular free software Dell provides that often has startup entries? These are obviously loaded and eat memory that could otherwise be dedicated to games and benchmarks.

If you're thinking about salvaging parts from it, remember the case and motherboard is more often than not custom Dell spec and won't fit in standard kit.

[FInalD]

You'll want to be very careful with this, as Dell like to produce their own motherboards on a different form factor to most. Unfourtunatly I don't know a huge amount about this as I've always avoided prebuilds.

FinalD

[Lee`]

The first thing I done was format and partition. After this episode of sopranos I'll check the PSU ratings. Thanks for the advice.

[Clunk]

Will the bios on the Dell even let you adjust anything for overclocking?

[Flewis]

I think he was planning on changing the motherboard.

[Clunk]

Missed that bit

[Lee`]

Will the bios on the Dell even let you adjust anything for overclocking?

Just double checked and the bios won't let you overclock the CPU so if I want to do any overclocking I will need to change the mobo which is what I thought initially.

Just check the sticker on the side of the power supply, and from what I could make out it's a 375W PSU and +5V on a rail on a 22A max output and a -12V with a output wattage of 350W, I'm not completely sure though. I had a quick google it's the same PSU as this one;

http://www.centrix-intl.com/details.asp?productid=1097

[Flewis]

seems a bit low to me, overclocking the processor increases power usage significantly. The system may become unstable due to lack of power if you oc.

[Lee`]

Right, so I would need new;

Motherboard, PSU and probably case

I may have to weigh up costs etc. to see if this is worth my time, money and effort.

[Flewis]

probably not worth bothering, leave it at stock

An example of how shop bought computers give you little or no room to upgrade. People should take note.

[Lee`]

Yes, I was fully aware that anysort of overclocking etc. to get better performance out of this computer would be difficult but considering how much it cost me, I'm not bothered at all.

[Clunk]

might be worth taking out the good stuff, cpu etc, replacing it with lower spec stuff and selling as a full system on fleabay.