Studio XPS 435MT Case change

Hi

Im about to do this aswel into a Coolermaster Storm Enforcer.

I have made the same changes as you ie new psu and gpu.

However I have never installed or changed a motherboard before. I was wondering if i am simply taking the motherboard out of the 435mt and putting it into a new case do i have to disconnect anything like the heatsink or can I simply leave it all intact?

Thanks

hi there, I'm trying to do the same thing and am wondering if you had success switching over cases.

I dont see why not as desktop hardware is standard to any brand of computers, not just Dell computers.  Really the only question is, does YOUR system fit in the new case, and the only way to see is just try it.

I had success and it worked fine with no problems what so ever. Any questions just message me.

Hey dom99, I can't seem to figure out how to send a PM on these forums. Did you notice an improvement in cooling following your switch from the 435mt case? I'm thinking of getting a carbide 300r, but I'm most worried about transferring over the motherboard since I've never done that before. The 300r should definitely have the space for it, it's just that I'm worried about the I/O panel at the front and back of the 435mt and also about whether the motherboard will come off easily.

Hi Dan

Yes there was definitely an improvement in cooling, all cores now idle at about 32 degrees.

I was in exactly the same situation having never done any of it before and it was surprisingly simple.

Firstly the wires in the case are held in place by metal hooks which may need bending back (I used my fingers, you may want to take the gpu and hdd out before to make it easier).

Then just start taking it apart one piece at a time starting with graphics card, hard drive (once these two are gone its a lot easier to get your hands in), power supply, cd drive, it all comes out quite easily as long as the power supply cables have been taken out of the hooks. Then the motherboard unscrews and just lifts out with the ram, heatsink and CPU all still attached and just place it into your new case then reconnect everything from where it came.

The rear io a slight issue but nothing major, the 435mt rear io plate does not come off but you will find a metal mesh which I have used instead and just left it as that. The front io is easy too, I have a picture of the layout which I made because no one else seemed to have a clue. I found how it went just from trial and error really whilst panicking that I had messed it up lol.

It was a great little project which took about 6hours because I was being very careful with static electricity and watched some YouTube videos on people doing it to other computers.

I would say give it a go you won't regret it! Next on my list is an ssd!

A word of caution thought, the psu cables might not be long enough for your new case so a new psu might be recommended. Have you made any other changes to the original system?

Here is the thread with the pin layout diagram www.techpowerup.com/.../showthread.php

Hey. I haven't changed my yet but let me ask you about yours. I have 2 HDD's my case will they fit. Also what about the back did you manage to get everything from the there, 4 USBs as well as the Ethernet port? (the black bit in the back) For the front are you not using the memory card slots just the 4 USBs in the front with the mic and headphone jack.

Finally are you using all three fans with the case and my PSU 600w fits inside the Dell case would it fit in this case. I don't have the dimensions but I'll try and locate the box if you need the dimensions.

Sorry for all the questions.

Hi,

Not sure what you mean by will the hdds fit, two hdds will definitely fit in your new case easily.

Also I'm a little confused what you mean by the bits at the back but I think you mean the bits at the front.

When you pull down the flap on the front of the dell 435mt you have a 2.5" multi-card reader which just unscrews from inside the case and goes straight into the new case using a 2.5" to 3.5" bracket. With the Carbide 300r this shouldn't be a problem.

Next to the card reader there is a square with four USB ports on. You ignore this bit and leave it as the new case will have its own USB connections.

The psu you listed will fit fine into your new case and yes I am using 3 fans with a fan controller.

Get the carbide 300r this looks like a great case with brilliant reviews and it should be an easy swap over as you have already replaced the dell psu.

Oh. Thank you I'll take a look. What i ment about the back if the Dell 435mt there are 4 USB, a Ethernet port, a Optical out for Surround sound. Do they come out or are they on the motherboard and get transfered to the new case.  

For the port question and HDD's drives.

Ports and connections on your computer almost always connect directly inside your computer to the motherboard, usually you can just find where the port is physically connection to your motherboard and just run the new connection (wires supplied with your case).  Also the back usually comes with several types of interchangeable covers to align with didnt' port configurations on mobos.  Although I think today they are standardizing the port configuration at the back.

For the hard drive question, most cases allow at least 2 Hard drives to be installed into the computer, but also it depends on your motherboard again, whether or not you have enough connections for all your drives (cdrom and HDDs)

I honestly suggestion you connect with a CompTIA Certified A+ IT Technician, maybe your local computer store can help you in this matter, I would suggest this not only because they can be a great help but also as not to invalidate your warranty.  

Your warranty will have expired by now if you have changed the graphics card and power supply sO don't worry.

Ahhhh I see what you mean, yes the ports at the back are connected to the motherboard so just go straight into your new case. It's called the rear input/output panel (rear io).

Any questions just ask, let me know how it goes

I have checked out the Carbide 300r and It does look good but it only has two USB's in the front. If I can use them and the one's from Dell 435mt then that would be great but if I can't then the CM Storm Enforcer would be my choice.

Hey dom! thanks a lot for that link and for your helpful suggestions. I just got the carbide300r in the mail today and will be doing the swap soon. I'll have a better look at my computer and the carbide this weekend and I'm sure I'll have a bunch of questions then. This seems to be a really popular topic though judging by the amount of response so I'm tempted to document my swap over as well to help out other people too.  Let me just say for now that I can completely see how the carbide is going to be a lot cooler than the 435mt case -- it's bigger and has plenty of ventillation. I also really like its no-nonsense design, with the caveat as shadowtail pointed out that there's only two USB ports in the front while the 435mt has 4 usbs and 1 firewire.

p.s. I modified the original system with a Geforce GTX 550Ti and a Dynex 550W source. This is when all my heating trouble started as the videocard added a lot of extra heat to the case.