Optiplex 745 Full tower upgrade help

Question

I have a Optiplex 745 Full tower, is it possible to strip EVERYTHING out of it and plug it into a new standard ATX chassis with no problems? Because I need to upgrade the motherboard to accept DDR3. I would assume that it would except for the stock Dell motherboard which isn't standard.

This has been a big project that would obviously be done with simply buying a new computer, but I can't right now. So can it be done?

Thanks!

Mcdonald

osprey4 · Accepted Answer

Hi McDonald,

Not sure I understand what you are trying to do. You want a new motherboard and case, and you'll need new DDR3 RAM, maybe the CPU and power supply, so the remaining parts would be the hard drive and DVD.

So what exactly are you trying to salvage from the 745?

rdunnill · Accepted Answer

This board is compatible with the old Core2 Duo series, but I don't know what you have. You'll need a heatsink, too, and I suggest this.

The drives and power supply should move over.

As for the operating system, with Vista and later, you'll be in violation of the OEM license terms if you activate on a non-Dell motherboard for reasons other than repair.

rdunnill · Accepted Answer

If you're going to the expense of replacing the motherboard and swapping everything into a new case, you are well advised to consider a new CPU as well.

ASRock has a B75 board with USB 3.0 and SATA III for just a little more than the LGA775 I linked to in my previous post: www.newegg.com/.../Product.aspx

Mc Donald · Answer

I want to upgrade my optiplex's motherboard but the chances are, nothing I buy will fit. Since Dell doesn't use the standard ATX chassis design. So I guess the main question I was asking is is there an upgrade MADE for that system.

But I have another better that seems like a obvious question, but just to make sure I am thinking straight,

would

a power supply,

a processor,

a mother board,

a hardrive,

RAM,

a CD drive,

a graphics card,

and a case BE a computer?

So if I had all of those separate pieces, and bolted them in a case (assuming they all where compatible with each other), would that work? do I need some other random gadget on the side? even down to the smallest thing like would the case have all the hook ups for the power buttons, and all of that? Sorry if I confused you...

Mc Donald · Answer

Thanks!

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Optiplex 745 Full tower upgrade help

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