Dell Dimension 5000: Upgrade me!

Simon N · 13 Sep 2006 at 11:12

As the title says I have a dell dimension 5000 (was bought as a gift so cant complain).

I have a few pounds to spend so thought its about time I upgraded a few parts but wanted to check with the knowledgable lot here.

Memory 2x512mb ddr2 pc3200 => adding 2x512mb ddr2
Hard drive Sata 160gb => second sata 250gb drive
Graphics ATI x300 pci-e => ati saphire x1900gt
PSU dells 305w btx supply => recommendations here based on above

PSU needs to be BTX and sata compatable

I would welcome any advice and issues I may encounter along the way especially from dell owners.

Also would fitting a sound card be better than using the onboard one in terms of speed and quality. I dont need to spend a lot here as quite frankly my hearing is not up to "delicate changes".

Many thanks

Simon N · 13 Sep 2006 at 16:21

No comments or suggestions???

split · 13 Sep 2006 at 16:38

I doubt you'll get much help with this, as it's an unknown.

I can tell you that a quick google for a dell dimension 5000 gives me.

3.4GHz Pentium 4 550; 1GB PC3200 RAM; Dell 0W5363 motherboard; 250GB Western Digital Caviar II hard disk; Philips DVD8631 DVD writer; LG GDR8163B DVD-ROM; 256MB nVidia GeForce 6800 graphics; 19in Dell 1905FP TFT; media card reader; Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS audio; Dell MMS 5650 5.1 speakers; V.92 modem; 10/100 Ethernet; Windows XP Home SP 2; Microsoft Works 7; 1yr C&R warranty.

1GB PC3200 RAM is not DDR2, and you prolly asking for problems mixing it with other stuff. (PC3200DDR) But as they make many, your might be DDR2.

See thread here on DELL PSU's as it's not straightforward. Just depends what they fitted in yours.
You may need to look into that first.

I don't like onboard sound, but it depends what you do with the PC.

You could try running Everest home edition to get more info on whats in the box, but if you look at that PSU thread it may come down to taking it out and having a look.

Simon N · 13 Sep 2006 at 16:50

Ahh have checked the memory using corsairs online scanner and also using cpu-z I even took the memory out and counted the pins; its ddr2.

I have taken a gamble and ordered all the above kit from here including an enermax libery PSU; they state they are btx compatible and dell have told me the psu I have at present would be fine to drive the extra kit but is a standard configuration so upgrading it should be fine....they never give a definate yes or no.

Anyways fingers crossed that it all goes okay....am also fitting a silverstone fan controller to handle the case fans and HD cooler. Trying to find people that mod or play with dell computers is like finding a transistor in a silicon stack.

RoachycaL · 13 Sep 2006 at 20:04

I own a Dimension 9100 which I have yet to buy a CPU and RAM for. I definatly know dell use their own Pin configuration and you cant fit a PSU in the bakc of their cases anyway so forget the PSU mate. You might be suprised that quite a lot of the hardware in there can be updated. You can update the CPU (I think) to the maximum it will take according to their site. Check what CPU's they ship with then talk to a dell technician online and ask what cpu's it takes just to make sure. Other than that there isnt much more to upgrade :confused:

Simon N · 13 Sep 2006 at 20:34

I have ordered the PSU anyways only cheap so might as well try. I shall be checking pin out config before trying it and some home electronics might be needed to rewire.

OLD dells used to use a non standard config and as such adaptors started appearing that you could use. However I have checked with dell and they do inform me that they now use a standard psu config...at least they did for the dimension 5000.

I will double check before trying it and hopefully post any findings here

If all else fails a new case and motherboard will be needed et voila problem solved .....hopefully.

RoachycaL · 13 Sep 2006 at 21:17

Yeah just dont plug the new PSU straight into the board because you will probably blow both before you change the pin configs

Tetras · 13 Sep 2006 at 21:19

However I have checked with dell and they do inform me that they now use a standard psu config...at least they did for the dimension 5000.

A lot of Dell systems do have standard PSUs, it is true and not just really old ones either, I know of socket 478 P4 systems (tho it prolly doesn't apply to all of them)

Simon N · 14 Sep 2006 at 12:23

Checking on the dell support forums many people have simply bought new psu's and plugged them straight in.

Slightly scarey that they can take such a risk but was good to read someone with exactly the same motherboard as mine plugged a new psu straight in and it worked fine.

I still think I shall double check the pin out configuration though just for my own peace of mind.

split · 14 Sep 2006 at 13:12

Newer DELLS are OK, but it's still good to check as the person did in the link in my above post.

Fortunately, starting in 2000, Dell switched to using industry-standard ATX power connections in its Dimension 4300, 4400, 8200, and newer systems. That means barring any other unforeseen glitches, these systems should be more easily upgradable by just replacing either the power supply or the motherboard alone. I, for one, am glad to see Dell moving back toward industry standardization because its systems are now more appealing to purchase as a starting point for a system that will be user upgradable and repairable in the future.

Sourced.