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Dell Dimension 3000 - upgrade options?
My mother has a Dell Dimension 3000 that she would like to upgrade - can't afford a new computer right now. I believe it was purchased in Late 2004 or early 2005.
Specs:
2.66GHz Celeron
512MB Ram
80GB hard drive
1. Can the CPU be upgraded? If so, what is the best this system will take? Will it accept a dual core CPU?
2. How much RAM can it handle, and what type? (DDR2? DDR3?)
3. Any limits on hard drives? Can it handle a 1TB drive?
Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.
shesagordie
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May 1st, 2009 16:00
Bootstrap Bill
You can install any [Desktop] Socket 478 processor.
See HERE <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>
The 3000 does not support dual core processors.
Dimension 3000 supports 2gb of DDR memory
See HERE <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>
You can install any current available IDE hard drive, the 3000 does not support SATA drives.
Bev.
rdunnill
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October 2nd, 2010 23:00
You can put in just about anything if you are willing to upgrade the mainboard.
I have confirmed that the case front panel and front USB ports use standard ATX wiring. I bought an empty 3000 case on eBay and installed a standard mATX mainboard; all the screws aligned properly, as did the rear IO shield. The front panel sockets slipped on and the power button, LEDs, and front USB all worked properly.I used a Coolmax 500-watt ATX power supply. I installed a standard 92mm case fan on the back; believe it or not, it is set up with standard mounting holes. (Fortunate, because the case fan mounting bracket was not included.)
The only case component that doesn't work (yet) is the front headphone jack, which uses a 10-pin connector unique to Dell and Creative Labs. There are two options: 1, buy a Soundblaster card with the front panel port ($15 shipped used on eBay); and 2, change the connector to a standard Intel HD socket. I have ordered the parts for the latter, and I'll let the forum know how it goes.
rdunnill
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November 17th, 2010 23:00
Dell Dimension 3000 upgraded to third-party G41 mainboard, E6500 dual-core CPU, and Sapphire 5670 video card. All front ports are fully functional.
DaddyTy
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August 18th, 2013 23:00
Believe it or not that processor is fast enough at 2.66GHz to meet most minimum requirements for even great games from today... The only difference in single core vs dual core/8-core is multitasking, and as much as you'd like to it isn't essential.
the 3000 can take up to 1GB DDR SDRAM @333MHz PC3200
HDD anything IDE will work 1TB is not unthinkable ;)