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177518
E521 Motherboard Replacement Options
Hey everyone,
I have fried the motherboard of my E521 Desktop and would like to replace it. I was wondering what my options are if i wanted to upgrade it. I currently have 4 Gb Ram and AMD 64x2 5600 but will potentionally like to have more ram and a quad core processor.
Are there any other motherboards i can put into my box that will allow me to upgrade when i am ready?
I believe it is a mBTX motherboard, but i cant seem to find an AMD mBTX anywhere
Thank you,
Owen
shesagordie
10 Elder
10 Elder
•
46K Posts
1
February 23rd, 2009 13:00
OSnapple
Unfortunately, the e521 has a Dell BTX motherboard with proprietary features, the only match for the e5xx BTX case would be a e520 motherboard, but this does not support Core 2 Quad processors.
Even if you can find a third party motherboard that would fit the e5xx BTX case, a new retail copy of windows would needed, as Dell's OEM copies are tied to their BIOS.
A replacement e521 motherboard can be purchased from HERE, or from eBay HERE, you could also, call Dell Spare Parts HERE
Bev.
Toine3
28 Posts
0
April 15th, 2009 13:00
Sorry for the late reply but this is wrong I think.
FACTS: Dell's OEM XP-pro is also working on my old P4 Headstart system. No Dell Bios in it.
malmental
15 Posts
0
June 19th, 2010 12:00
As far as what you already have: 5600+ and 4gb of ram; then that's the best you can go (with stock heat sink).
You can go up to the 89 watt 5800+, 6000+ and so on but, you will need a special aftermarket heatsink and fan.
There is one that fits the e521 motherboard and uses the stock hardware, the Noctua NH-U9B is what you'll need.
Me personally, I wouldn't see much of an improvement from what you already have. I'm basically running the same
specs and to upgrade anymore would be to go all the way with a quad core. The 531 motherboard can be a step up
but it too can't go quad core. There is no point. Keep what you got and then go all the way quad.