Swaping the internals of a Dell into a new case.

[jeromebrill]

I currently own a Dell 8300, 3.0GHz P4HT. I know Dells are preparatory to there own. I wanted to know if I could take all the internals and put them in a new case, including the power supply. I know some will ask why? Well I'm looking at better cooling for one, I might get a better graphic card soon, more space for another harddrive I have, and of course the cool factor. To make it easy I measured my MB and took some pictures.

http://www.geocities.com/jeromebrill/dell/boardmsr.jpg

http://www.geocities.com/jeromebrill/dell/fullboard.jpg

http://www.geocities.com/jeromebrill/dell/upperleft.jpg

http://www.geocities.com/jeromebrill...ottomright.jpg

I have 2GBs of 400MHz Dual rate DDR Ram installed and because it's the HT P4 it runs actually fast. Because of this I'm not looking to build a computer for those who are just going to tell me to just do that. If I do get a case and this can work. I may in the future. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

[MakeYourslf2012]

Welcome to PC Mech

I'm can't see the pictures you included in your post.

Anyways, you would have to find out if your power supply and motherboard are in the ATX form factor; If not, they will not fit in a normal case that you could buy off the shelf.

I'm not sure what kind of hardware Dell uses in thier system, I'll do some research and see what kind of motherboard/power supply they use in thier 8300's.

[Kareeser]

I'm concerned with the fit for the motherboard. While it looks like a standard ATX, the I/O ports in the back seem to be recessed. That may interfere with a non-Dell Case...

Would replacing a motherboard be within your budget, if required?

[Alaron]

Welcome to PCMech jerome. I edited your pictures into links to keep the boards dial-up friendly.

[Panama Red]

Here's a few obstacles to conisider.

Is the power supply standard ATX wiring or proprietary? (see link below)

Does your cpu cooling use the Dell style green plastic duct that includes a 90mm fan at the rear of the case? Looks like you removed it for the pics. If so, you'll also need a new heatsink/fan assy.

Sorting out the front usb case connections and the front panel led/switch connections will be a challenge.

With your other stated update ideas, you'd be better off investing in a complete new build. You will be able to spend time enjoying your new pc instead of fighting incompatible hardware.

http://www.hardwarebook.net/connecto.../atxpower.html

[jeromebrill]

Thanks for the greatings.

Now the Power supply is proprietary to Dell, they use there own connections but If I want to upgrade that I can get a one here http://www.pcpowercooling.com/produc...dell/index.php
I'm just looking to remove everything and put in a new case. I don't know the messurments to a standered ATX board and PSU so thats why I provied the dimensions to my Dell board and PSU. I'm not worried about the front USB as the case I want to get has one and the connections to the board I think are the same. I'm more just wondering if my PSU or board are the same size as a standered ATX. Mounting I will figure out. A trip to a hardware store is all I need. Actually I have an idea of creating a mount that screws into the holes on my board and has a hight adjustment on it.
http://www.geocities.com/jeromebrill...dmountidea.jpg
On the bottom side it will have a very strong neo magnet use to just snap onto the side of the metal case wall. Several of these for any screw whole should hold just fine. This way I could adjust it and place it very easy.

Oh and I only removed my green cover for my fan so I could see the other screw and messure it. As for the fan I'm unsure what size it is. Either way it should be easy to use a different fan.

I already read about people trying use a different case but there also talking about replacing the PSU with a standered ATX. That takes modification and rewiring. This is something I'm not doing. If I replace the board then I can't use my current PSU. It's just a run around. My system is decent so I'm not going to build another computer. I don't mind a little modification but I'm not looking to rework everything.

[jayb1234]

Standard ATX motherboard is 12.0" x 9.6". Not sure what size yours is, but it's not a Standard ATX size.

[andper10]

I have a similar Dell (its P4 3Ghz, but its 3000 not 8300). My recommendation would be to get a different power supply and motherboard. I am finding out that it is a pain in the butt to put in a video card for mine. I don't know about yours, but mine DOES NOT have an agp or pci-e port, so the video card options are very limited. A new board would fix that. Again, the Dell power supplies are low wattage, and I think that my video troubles have stemmed from the weak included power supply. Getting a new power supply will widen the possibilities for future expansion. You will also need to get a heatsink/fan that will mount directly overtop of the processor. I think that it is do-able, but it won't be a walk in the park either.

[jeromebrill]

My 8300 actually has AGP x8 slot. I have a Nvidia 5200FX installed. I linked to this place before http://www.pcpowercooling.com/produc...dell/index.php They have a 450watt PSU I could upgrade too for my Dell. They have a 470 for your 3000. I just found this too. http://www.ascendtech.us/itemdesc.asp?ic=MB4DELD8300 It says my mb is ATX form factor so it seems it should fit another case. I'm am still not sure though.

[andper10]

Its good that you have an AGP slot. If you are a gamer, you still may want to get a new motherboard that has PCI-E. If you are a light gamer, or you don't game at all, then the card that you have will be fine, and you can keep using your motherboard. I think that it would be good to get a new power supply if you plan on adding more stuff to your system. If you don't plan to add anything else for a while, you could just use the Dell PSU. However, I think that it will probably be a bit of a pain to move the dell psu, and there is a chance that it might not fit in a new case.

P.S. I have read that as long as your mobo is less than or equal to the ATX form factor size (yours appears to be), it will fit into an ATX case. Also, I won't be upgrading the family Dell anymore because I am in the process of building my own computer .

[jeromebrill]

Building your own uh? Well As you see I havent posted since the 3rd. I decided before I got a case to take apart my Dell to see what it will take to put it on another case. After cafully taking it all apart including the CPU off the mobo. You needed to take that off to remove the board from this platter Dell uses to mount there mobo. Well anywho after all that I put it back together and next thing I know my Dell mobo is bad. Well thats what Dell said when they ran me through a few Diaonostics. They wanted $150 for the board. On ebay after shipping they were $75. So I said no way. Long story short and $365 dollers later. My old P4 HT CPU and the rest of my guts are now mounted with a Asus P4P800 Mobo "almost same as Dells but ATX Form and same 478 Socket, Ultra 500 Watt Xfinity PCU, Bay fan controller, and a Huge Hyper 48 Cooler CPU Fan. All this is put in a case by Aero cool. Kinda looks like a Jet engine lol. I'll post some picture once my batteries are charged to my camera. The only bad thing is that its the P4 from the Dell so the processor is locked. So I'm still stuck as 3.0GHz. I guess its ok for me now, I just went a week and half with out a computer