putting a new mobo and processor in an old computer....

[DustinM]

I have an old Dell Dimension 4400, with 1.8ghz pentium processor that I've finally decided to upgrade. I bought a 3.0E prescott (428 pin) and a new heatsink/fan, thinking I could use it with the old mobo. Of course the old mobo won't support the processor, so I just bought a new mobo. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131484. It should be here on wednesday, and I just wanted to make sure if there are any other compatibility issues I should be aware of. I have one stick of PC2100 DDR ram (512 mb) and one stick of PC 3700 DDR ram (512 mb). I plan on upgrading the old stick in the near future, but for now I want to use both, will that be an issue?

ALso, will I have any issues putting an Asus mobo in a Dell case? I know that Dell tends to do funky things with their comp set ups.

Thanks for the time!

DustinM

[blue60007]

I haven't any experience with that particular model, but as for the mobo fitting in the case, all I can say is try. One issue I do forsee is the fact that, that case is most likely an microATX case. That ASUS board is a full size ATX, so I don't think it'll fit. Don't use the PC2100 RAM. If you've got some PC3200 (DDR-400), then that should work (it's the right match for the CPU).

Also the other problem I forsee is the power supply. I can't see it handling an upgrade to a power guzzler like the 3.0e. Take a look at the one you've got now and see what it is (wattage wise). Also, I don't know if that particular model uses a proprietary PSU or not. Your best bet might be an Antec case/PSU combo. What video card do you have?

One other issue. You'll likely have to do a repair install on the OS (win XP?) cause you have a change of chipsets. I think you might be able to un-install the chipset drivers first before swapping then you *might* not have any issues (install the 865PE driver then). If you do have to repair install the OS, the restore CD that you have (you do have it?) might not work on a non-Dell mobo...so you might be looking at a new copy of Windows. You could try it though, cause I did have luck doing that a while back...

I think you are starting to see why Dell's aren't very upgradable...by the time you get done you could have just went with a new PC.

[glc]

I think you have bitten off more than you want to chew. The power supply is standard ATX wiring, but that's about ALL that's standard about that 4400. Purchasing a new case and power supply is the right way to do this. You should not reuse the ram, it MAY work but no guarantees - and it WILL hurt performance if it's not PC3200. You also cannot reuse the Dell preloaded XP, it will NOT boot without a repair reinstall, the Dell reinstall disk will not work unless it sees a Dell bios..........see where we are going? Even if you could get it to boot by tricking the IDE controllers, M$ will not give you a reactivation because the XP is licensed to the Dell, not an Asus motherboard - and OEM licensing is no longer transferable.

[DustinM]

damn. I knew Dell was a pain in the butt, but this is ridiculous. I'm fine with getting a new case and powersupply and another stick of ram, but buying windows xp again is something I really DON'T want to do.

While we're at it, what case/powersupply combo do you guys recommend?

Oh, I have a Geforce 6600.

[glc]

It's not just Dell, my friend. ALL name brand computers are just as bad if not worse. If anything, a Dell is easier to deal with than most others. If you were trying to do this with a Compaq, I'd be suggesting the trash bin, period. Yours is one of the worst Dells to try to work with because of that clamshell case.

If you want a case that will be ready for the future, it's hard to beat an Antec Sonata II. It has a high quality 450 watt power supply with dual +12v rails and a 20+4 pin main connector.

[DustinM]

The more I think about this, the more I think I should send my processor back, cancel the mobo order and get a 775 slot mobo/processor. What do you guys think? I mean, since I'll be getting a new mobo anyway....

From what I understand, the new processors coming out soon will not be in slot 478 right?

[chuck4456]

If you have an earlier model DELL case with the rollout power supply, there are a few 775 mobos available. There's a Foxconn and a Biostar - both are about 50 clams. The Foxconn supports Dual Channel. There are several CPU options as well. If it still has that 145 - watt power supply, you'll probably want to dump that. There is more clearance between that power supply and the board than it appears.
I did it for about $200.00 total.
Carry on.

[chuck4456]

If you have an earlier model DELL case with the rollout power supply, there are a few 775 mobos available. There's a Foxconn and a Biostar - both are about 50 clams. The Foxconn supports Dual Channel. There are several CPU options as well. If it still has that 145 - watt power supply, you'll probably want to dump that. There is more clearance between that power supply and the board than it appears.
I did it for about $200.00 total.
Carry on.

[blue60007]

The new CPUs won't be coming to 478 only LGA775. Nothing new has come to 478 for a couple years (the CPU you bought was the last generation).

Where did you get the CPU/mobo?

Do keep in mind if you go with LGA775 you should upgrade to PCI-E for the video card. I don't know if that Dell has a AGP slot/card or not. You'll have to upgrade the video card.

Also most LGA775's boards use DDR2, so you'll also have to upgrade that too. You'll pretty much be looking at new system, unfortunately.

[jayb1234]

I would reccommend just leaving the Dell as is, and seeing if you can return the processor and motherboard and switch to a 775 pin board and processor.

Look at the Sonata 2 case/psu that glc mentioned, an Intel or ASUS motherboard with whatever features yiou want,

Lite-on for the optical drive(s),

ram fron the motherboard makers approved list, mitsumi floppy or floppy/card reader,

Seagate or Western Digital 7200 rpm 16Mb cache hard drive (about 250Gb is the best price/size right now),

Xp home unless you need some specific feature of pro or want the Media Center Edition,

depending on what you want to use it for you can go with onboard video(fine for everyday applications) or a separate video card(mainly needed for gaming),

Stock cpu heatsink/fan unit that comes with the processor,

and try the onboard sound before you get a card.