Can I Replace Dimension 8300 Components Into New Case?

The Dell's have a proprietary motherboard (in physical size) and a proprietary (and undocumented) front panel power switch connection.   It's possible to put a Dell motherboard in a standard case but it will take some work.  With an "old" PC, it's best to just put the $$ towards a new, current technology model.  After you spend a couple of hundred dollars, and lots of time cutting the case to make it fit, you will still wind up with an "old" technology machine, that will still work the way it did in the old case.

 

There is nothing in a case that will change the sound level, that is probably the CPU and/or power supply fans.  The case is an inanimate object and just metal and plastic.  But, if it's the CPU fan you must use another Dell or you will get a Fan Failure notice and have to press an F key everytime you boot up.

 

If it's dusty and dirty time to clean it up - blow out the dust, etc.

Assuming I cannot reuse the same motherboard and power supply in a new case, can I still salvage some components? For example, I'm using an ATI Radeon 9800 Pro Video Card that I could still use, will I be able to reuse this into a new case? As for the motherboard and power supply, I'm going to completely replace with something new, along with the ram and CPU attached to the motherboard. Everything else will be able to function properly in a new case, correct?

If the components are fairly new then you will get benefit from them. The would most likely work but could end up being a bottle neck. Things like memory are not all that good to transfer, IDE drives while most will work they can affect overall system performance.

I would in your case probably just transfer the video card and either sell or toss most of the rest. 

Nikkaitzyuting

If you use a non-Dell motherboard, you will need to buy a new copy of windows, Dell's OEM copy is tied to their BIOS.

Bev.


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To add to Dave's response. 

 

If you get a new case/motherboard/power supply you will also need a new Retail copy of Windows as the Dell supplied Windows CD will not load on a non-Dell motherboard.  The old style memory will not work in a new motherboard.  Most new systems are SATA rather than the old technology PATA (IDE)  so the hard drive and CD/DVD drives are out.  Most new motherboards have PCIeX16 Video slots so you probably can't use the Video.  Basically nothing from the old PC is really useable, you would be building a new PC with all new components and a Retail copy of Windows XP (or Vista).

This is the motherboard I'm planning to get: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128337

 

Now I don't know much about computers, but I do know that it's ATX, so I have to get a case that supports ATX. Also, the ram on this computer is obsolete not only for that fact that I'm using a measly 4 x 256mb cards, but the new motherboard will not support older ram, so I must buy new ones.

 

I don't understand why I won't be able to use the cd/dvd drives, seeing as it supports PATA & SATA. It says "1 x ATA100 2 Dev. Max" for PATA, could someone elaborate on this? To give a general idea, i bought this dell back in the beginning of '04, so most of the parts are old. But why can't I use the video card, it's not very outdated. Wouldn't the motherboard I'm planning to purchase support AGP?

 

The Windows XP isn't a problem seeing as I can purchase a copy. I'm just trying to upgrade my computer, or probably make a new one with existing parts. Based on the motherboard I linked, would it support any of the components of my dell? For example, the hard drive, processor (I think i need a new one seeing as it only supports LGA 775 Socket), etc.

I see, basically my whole computer is useless. I guess i have to start from scratch. My AGP graphics card can't be used, so should I just buy a new card for the PCI Express Slot?

 

Heres what I have so far on the computer parts I want:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119068

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128337

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115052

 

Any advice? Will the processor I chose work with the motherboard, seeing as the processor 1066 MHz FSB, and the motherboard is 1333 MHz FSB? Will the motherboard fit the case, since the I/O looks different, but it is ATX, compatitible with the case. Can you just take off the I/O panel off the case, and replace it with the one that comes with the motherboard?

 

Any general advice on how I should go about choosing the components would be helpful, as well as suggestions. 

the board will support 2 IDE devices on the same cable. If your only going to use the IDE for a hd as storage this is fine. For file support and such it will affect the overall system performance as it will negate the benefits of the 4 SATA devices you could use with the system. I have an IDE drive in my rig but it is only used for non accessed storage. As for CD drives again they will work but you suffer from the slower performance of the IDE device vs a SATA device.

You will need a new processor as well as a new copy of the OS. 

As to the AGP that went out ages ago and no one makes boards with AGP slots on them anymore. So if your video card is AGP you can rule that out. 

 

Building a system is not something that one should undertake with limited knowledge. It takes a lot of time and research to put together a bunch of components and get them to work. Yes it can be a rewarding experience but it is one that if full of roadblocks and pit falls. Remember your virtually on your own doing this.