Thinking of upgrading my Dell.

dairymasta

dairymasta

dairymasta

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Got a Dell Dimension 4600 about 5 years ago, upgraded the RAM from 512mb to 1gb, and the GPU from a GeForce 4MX to a ATi X800XT PE (agp)...but now I'm thinking it's just time for a complete overhaul. I plan on getting a mATX mobo, switching out the PSU and CPU and getting a PCIe card. How does this set up look?

http://img162.imageshack.us/img162/4074/stuffft9.jpg

E2220 2.4ghz Dual Core CPU
Gigabyte GA-G31M-S2L iG31 Mobo
Point of View 512mb 8800GT
OCZ StealthXtream 500W PSU
Crucial 2GB Ballistix RAM

And will be keeping the case and harddrive the same.

I'm also on a pretty tight budget, but all this stuff looks like a great build to me?

Opinions? Thanks.
 
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It looks basically fine provided that Dell use a standard layout for the motherboard and it will fit in the case (it should but they might have done something odd). You might also want to consider changing the Ballistix for something else, it is great when it works but seems a bit temperamental at times.
 
Far as I can tell its a standard mATX layout inside the case. I'd go for a Corsair\Seasonic PSU and something other than the Ballistix memory, perhaps some Corsair XMS2.
 
I'm sure I read somewhere a while ago that on the older Dell Dimensions they used a non-standard motherboard layout, menaing that you couldn't put your own motherboard in. See I had upgrading problems because my Dell was pretty old too and I wanted to put a new mobo in, but then I found out that it might not be possible.

However I think my Dimension was quite a few years older than yours anyway, and chances are like sr4470 said, it's a standard mATX layout inside anyway now.
 
dairymasta said:
You're probably thinking about the BTX or whatever...mATX is what I need.
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Yeah you're right, just ignore me :D

The only thing I can comment on is if you're thinking about overclocking that CPU (which, if it follows the trend of the other ones with lower multipliers, it overclocks well), then you might want to get a motherboard with a P35 chipset as I do believe that they're slightly more stable than the P31 chipset when it comes to clocking.

Mind you I did only see that on one thread, and I think mATX motherboards with P35 chipsets tend to be a bit more pricey as well. Tbh I think it all looks fine unless you're clockin' the CPU to the extent that you need to put it under water or phase :)
 
Unfortunately, I don't think the P35 chipset comes in mATX form factor! And I will be getting an cooler for the CPU. So no worries about that...won't be overclocking it too extreme either.
 
Sorry, my mistake. I get confused with the different chipsets used in standard ATX and mATX motherboards. I meant to say 'G35' rather than 'P35' but you know I doubt there'd be any difference between the G31 and the G35 chipsets anyway.

Anyway I wish you the best of luck overclocking that cpu :)
 
There are G33 boards that overclock but since you're on a budget I'd leave it, 2.4Ghz Core 2 Duos arent exactly sluggish or anything...
 
Thanks for the help.

Also, Closeratio, I see you have an XFX 8800GT Alpha Dog...I was thinking of getting the XFX 8800GT XXX Edition, but I keep reading about the fan being locked at 100%? Is yours like that?
 
Sorry I had to leave for a bit.

Also, Closeratio, I see you have an XFX 8800GT Alpha Dog...I was thinking of getting the XFX 8800GT XXX Edition, but I keep reading about the fan being locked at 100%? Is yours like that?
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To be honest I haven't tried messing with the fan until now but I just went into rivatuner then to try it and I can fully adjust it from 25% up to 100% (super loud), so no mine isn't locked. It's pretty quiet as well actually; if it was locked at 100% all the time I'd certainly know about it lol :) In fact even when playing games like Crysis and Bioshock i never hear the fan increase in speed at all.

Unless you really don't want to overclock your card manually, I'd just get the standard 8800GT Alpha Dog and then clock it up to the XXX edition speeds. As far as I know they use exactly the same cooler and you shouldn't have any problems with clocking it if you do it right. I think mine's at 650 core now with the memory at 1900 effective, and whilst I did used to have problems with it clocked like that, now I'm using rivatuner I've had none (I used to use Ati tool).
 
Ah, doesn't matter...can't find the "Alpha Dog" edition anywhere for a decent price. Guess I'll just stick with the Point of View 8800gt. Got me a little worried about the mobo though, but we'll see how it goes!

Thanks.
 
Just realised the mobo I picked out sucks mega. Now I have no idea what mobo to go for, as all the decent ones are like twice the price and I have no idea which ones better! :(
 
Well like you said it's not an extreme overclock getting the CPU from 2.4 to 3Ghz because you've got a pretty decent multiplier, so it means it's only a 25% increase on the FSB speed.

Thing is I've had no experience overclocking a CPU using the G31 chipset but it sounds like it's pretty unstable if you've been recommended the G33 if you intend to overclock. I know it's over £50 but there's this mobo here which uses the G33 chipset and it's not too expensive. And it's Asus as well so you can't go too wrong with it.
 
might as well just get a new case with the psu, you'll only be a hard drive & dvd drive shy of a whole pc then
 
actually bledd. has a point there. if you did get a new case then you wouldn't be limited to a mATX motherboard, so you could get a mobo with a P35 chipset on board which is almost sure to overclock nicely.

i guess it would mean spending more money though
 
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