help on an upgrade

mini_yom · 7 Jun 2011 at 20:38

Hi all

I'm looking to replace my stone-age desktop, it has done me well but alas not fast, not good, and not really useful anymore.

i have got my hands on a dell xps 730, and I'm looking to get it up and running, i don't really need a computer to that spec but i got it for free and would like to use it! the few things im drawing a blank on are silly things to be honest, mostly the noise levels, would love for it to be quieter. is there an easy way to do this without extremes like case swaps as i think i would have problems with fitting the standard components.

the only thing i use the computer for is surfing and general bits like backing up my DVDs, putting a TV card and iTunes, stuff like that. i do really want a triple monitor setup though, i know its probably not necessary but would make my life easier with multi-tasking!

is it worth trying to get what i want from this machine or pick the decent components out and start over?

if anybody can give suggestions would be awesome, i don't have the most techno minded intelligence for computers!

cheers Jay

hybrid572 · 7 Jun 2011 at 20:41

An aftermarket heatsink, and possibly a new case as well, would help big time on the noise and heat, and I'm not sure what graphics card you have, but current ATi cards support Eyefinity, which is exactly what you're looking for.

RJC · 7 Jun 2011 at 20:46

Could you post some pics up of the internals, as being a Dell it may not be easy changing certain items.

Could you post full specs up as well

mini_yom · 7 Jun 2011 at 20:52

I've got 2x ati radeon hd 3870 1gb with crossfire. also in the case is the dell H2C liquid system, which i thought bought down noise but it still sounds like a plane in take-off lol.
would you know off the top of your head what size motherboard it is, been liking but cant find the specs. the only reason is there are way too many case options to choose from in my opinion need to make sure it fits.

cheers Jay

mini_yom · 7 Jun 2011 at 20:53

will give it a go with the pictures in a bit dinner first lol

just had a go, honestly dont know how to put the pictures up will put them up as soon as i figure it out!

olivier renault · 7 Jun 2011 at 20:54

The XPS cases are quite nice actually. Mine is almost silent. The CPU cooling on the XPS 730 H2C is custom water iirc, could be tricky to fix. The noise could be the fans going full blast when they dont need to. Possible it can be fixed in the bios.

Dunno if the HD3870 are eyefinity, but a cheap new ATI will do triple displays.

RJC · 7 Jun 2011 at 20:56

I did a search and found some internal pics, this shows the system to look like a ATX system.

The other problem is the mount holes for the board and the Power Button and LEDS might be a Dell special.

Download CPU-Z and this will show the cpu installed and motherboard chipset.

http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html

mini_yom · 7 Jun 2011 at 21:05

cheers for the info but the problem is its not running yet need RAM and HDD for it. sorry to be a pain. if finances are in check should be ordering in the next week hopefully

i think also it may be noisy due to the fact its not running, i have only turned it on to see the power supply is ok, i have no history of the computer apart from it was used for working from home.

RJC · 7 Jun 2011 at 21:07

That could be the case then, as it has probably not properly posted it may run everything at full speed, once you get the items then see how you get on.

mini_yom · 7 Jun 2011 at 21:12

ok cheers mate really helpful and speedy, will look to getting the bits soon, although a HUGE dentist bill isn't helping me at the mo.

cheers again