Upgrading Mobo from Dell

[ish_BaLLz]

Hi everyone, I'm new to these forums and relatively new to computer hardware upgrading.

I was just wondering if I upgraded my old Dell Motherboard, because it utilizes RD RAM which is extremely expensive and dead, to an Asus Motherboard, which uses DDR, if there would be any compatability issues involving the older parts? All I really want to do is shift all my old parts to the new mobo.

I'm planning on buying a new case, which comes with a new 350 W power supply, and a gig of DDR 400 RAM with my new mother board.

My current stats:

Intel 850 Chipset
2.0 GHZ Intel P4 Processor
G4 Ti4600
Santa Cruz Turtle Beach Sound Card

Thanks for the advice, and I will give you any more information necessary.

[Xeroid]

If you are upgrading the case, motherboard, and ram the rest of your stuff should work like a champ. I do have two suggestions for you.

First, Dell uses an unusual CPU cooling scheme. The heat sink does not have a fan on it because there is a cooling duct that runs from the heat sink to a fan mounted on the back of the case. It's improbable that you will be able to rig the same setup in your new case. Your CPU will be depending on just the heat sink to dissipate heat. I'd purchase a new heat sink with a fan mounted on it.

Second, if you replace the motherboard then I would recommend a fresh install of your OS.

Welcome to TechIMO!

[jmebonner]

AFAIK, Dell also uses a proprietary Power Supply and ATX wiring scheme. If you decide to do the MB, you also need to replace the PSU. Otherwise, you'll be upgrading the MB...again, after it fries the new one.

G/L!

[Xeroid]

Originally posted by jmebonner
AFAIK, Dell also uses a proprietary Power Supply and ATX wiring scheme. If you decide to do the MB, you also need to replace the PSU. Otherwise, you'll be upgrading the MB...again, after it fries the new one.

G/L!

The newer ones have gone to ATX compliant motherboards and power supplys. I replaced a motherboard on a Dell that had a Celeron 1.8g (if I remember correctly) recently. It had fully ATX compliant hardware.

If in doubt go to http://www.formfactors.org/formfactor.asp and download the .pdf. It has a diagram that shows the ATX connector pinouts.

[jmebonner]

Good, glad to hear it. I finally have something good to say about Dell

[Xeroid]

Here, this will save you the trouble of downloading the whole .pdf.

ATX pinout

[ish_BaLLz]

Thanks guys for all of the advice...

Oh yeah, what do you guys think about this case? I was eyeing it at newegg.com and was thinking about buying it.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...pa=1&section=1

Anyone knows if it comes with a built in heating sink? And is 350 W enough to accomidate for my setup?

Thanks again.

[John Prophet]

the case seems to have pretty good reviews...if you look on the newegg site you'll see them.

350watts might be a little light but then again it could work just fine.