Mix and Matching Dell hardware with other computers?

nope you cant get a diff mobo for the 3k. and as far as mixing things, it's the same concept as you putting a stage 3 turbo and a cold air intake in your brand new Acura RSX. void.

As long as the motherboard fits and supports the processor, it will work fine. Only the motherboard is dell (i believe custom made by them, but they still have an intel chipset i think), everything else is standard parts which can be used in any computer.

Make sure that you can use the power supply with the motherboard. The only thing you might have a problem with is the front of the PC - the USB ports, audio, power button, and the power/reset LEDs. If you can get all of that stuff to work, then the motherboard will work.

dell internal parts can be used in other computers. yes it is "Dell branded" but take note, it is branded literally. meaning they only change the brand to dell but actually they are still created from the specific manufacturer. they are not modified for dell computers only. PSU is also interchangeable as long as your PSU fits the chassis. replacing the mobo is fine as long as the back panel (where the ports are located) fits with your mobo. they do have the intel chipsets. the only thing that is modified in dell computers is the BIOS. shhhhh.. :)

Heh, i didn't even think of half of that, but you're correct.

That's pretty much what i was trying to say, but more in depth. I think the back panels of dells are a different size than standard PCs, so im not sure if a standard motherboard would fit.

here's the back of an 8300: http://www.surghani.com/ebay/dell/8300back.jpg

and the back of a T500 (pretty much the same as many of today's PCs): http://www.danilpremgi.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=57&fullsize=1

this probably only applies to the "newer" dells (2xxx/3xxx/4xxx, not 4100/8xxx), i believe that the back panels are wider than standard. it looks like that to me.

yup i'm 100% about the information. trust me, i'm a dell tech but i dont own a dell. if u r more on a computer enthusiast, i suggest u assemble your own computer. also for more info about the new systems. if u purchased ur dell system after july 15,2004 you should have the symantec PC restore installed in a hidden partition. it means that just in case your sick and tired of having a lot of spyware in your computer. no need to reformat and do the 2hr process which involves isntalling XP and drivers. just press Ctrl+F11 during the dell logo and you could restore your pc as if fresh from the factory. process will only finish in 15 mins. all preloaded programs will be in there. best feature so far :)

seanTSR you are saying i can take a 3.0GHz PSU out of a DELL, put it into a different motherboard? and then can i put a 1.5GHz PSU i have laying around into the DELL? Also if i can, does Dell still warrenty it? and if they do, do you have the Link to it? Im sorry if i dont seem trusting, but i've talked to many techs about it, and gone to many forums and all of them say Dell parts cant be used with other PCs that arnt Dell, I've heard Dell messes with their computers wiring so that only a specific power suppy works. I guess I dont know if i can expect you to agree with that because it's putting down your company.

Also what about the Bios have they changed? as i understand if i switched the PSUs i would need to go to the Bios to tell it that and i am wondering what to do there

Message Edited by snuffles324 on 10-03-2004 03:26 PM

snuffles, yes you may interchange the PSU's as long as it fits the case and as long as it can carry the internal devices that you have in ur system. here's the idea. if you have a 1.5Ghz system and u will use the PSU from a 3.0Ghz, it will be ok, the bigger PSU the better. but, if u want to use the PSU of a 1.5Ghz system to a 3.0Ghz system it would be insufficient. higher speed computers requires a high wattage of PSU. also, you dont need to tweak the bios if u interchange the PSU. ur BIOS will automatically detect the PSU as if detecting the hard drive. anyway, if you want to interchange the PSU, it will not void the warranty. the only thing is, in case u will be having some problems with it, u will still be required to put back the original components of your system. we could only troubleshoot the original parts and wont troubleshoot with any 3rd party devices. i'm sure you could use dell parts to other computers. we don't modify the parts, we only modify the BIOS. also about the link, its not accessible to home users. it can only be accessed by dell personnels because it is only within our network. i suggest, try finding it at support.dell.com, you may find some articles in there with regards to the warranty :)

Ok i think my PSU on my 1.5GHz is fairly new(has been replaced since i've gotten the system, cant be more presise then that) do u guys have any way of finding out how many watts it is?

 

Also, about processors.... can i take my 1.5Ghz processor and put it in my Dell motherboard...and take the 3.0GHz processor out of the Dell and put it into a new motherboard i am getting that says it supports 3.0Ghz P4 processors?

also, I have 512mb of SDR RAM on my 1.5GHz machine, i was wondering if that memory would work in my Dell  demension 3000?

 

Message Edited by snuffles324 on 10-06-2004 04:45 PM

I've recently tried a program named BCM Diagnostics, which says i have 512mb of memory...but whenever i start my computer up, it says i only have 256mb of RAM

What gives? which is right? im guessing 1 isnt detecting right, and if so is there anyway it is keeping my computer from running at Flank speed? any way to fix it?

How can u tell what type of motherboard you have?