are dell components interchanageable with common ones

[surfactant]

I need to replace a motherboard in a dell computer. It is a p3 socket with sdr ram. Can I use all the other components in the box? Is the power supply the same as a generic one? Plug looks just like my sparkle. Bottom line is that I would like to get this box working by replacing the failed part. Any help appreciated Mark

 

[bacillus]

I suspect a normal atx board will not fit properly into the dell case.
the power supply may even be non-standard!

 

[dexvx]

Socket p3 with SDR?

The PSU will most likely be proprietary. The motherboard will probably be ATX form factor, but the LED switches, etc are going to be proprietary. All other system components should be standard.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: dexvx
Socket p3 with SDR?

The PSU will most likely be proprietary. The motherboard will probably be ATX form factor, but the LED switches, etc are going to be proprietary. All other system components should be standard.

/looks at current rig - Yeah, Socket P3 with SDR is very common.

Dells sometimes use a 24-pin PSU instead of the normal 20-pin ATX. There's plenty of convertors available. Far as LEDs and other front panel connectors, how can "+5V/GND" be "proprietary"? You just have to match the proper pinouts.

- M4H

 

[dexvx]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: dexvx
Socket p3 with SDR?

The PSU will most likely be proprietary. The motherboard will probably be ATX form factor, but the LED switches, etc are going to be proprietary. All other system components should be standard.

/looks at current rig - Yeah, Socket P3 with SDR is very common.

Dells sometimes use a 24-pin PSU instead of the normal 20-pin ATX. There's plenty of convertors available. Far as LEDs and other front panel connectors, how can "+5V/GND" be "proprietary"? You just have to match the proper pinouts.

- M4H

The case has them all bundled up together. While its not proprietary, you'd have to manually cut them up. That is unless your motherboard has the exact same layout as the Dell, which is quite rare IIRC.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: dexvx

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: dexvx
Socket p3 with SDR?

The PSU will most likely be proprietary. The motherboard will probably be ATX form factor, but the LED switches, etc are going to be proprietary. All other system components should be standard.

/looks at current rig - Yeah, Socket P3 with SDR is very common.

Dells sometimes use a 24-pin PSU instead of the normal 20-pin ATX. There's plenty of convertors available. Far as LEDs and other front panel connectors, how can "+5V/GND" be "proprietary"? You just have to match the proper pinouts.

- M4H

The case has them all bundled up together. While its not proprietary, you'd have to manually cut them up. That is unless your motherboard has the exact same layout as the Dell, which is quite rare IIRC.

IIRC, there was a "standard front panel configuration" spec passed awhile back. I plugged the single-block connector from my Netvista A20i case straight into a replacement MSI 694T reference board.

- M4H

 

[dexvx]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: dexvx

The case has them all bundled up together. While its not proprietary, you'd have to manually cut them up. That is unless your motherboard has the exact same layout as the Dell, which is quite rare IIRC.

IIRC, there was a "standard front panel configuration" spec passed awhile back. I plugged the single-block connector from my Netvista A20i case straight into a replacement MSI 694T reference board.

- M4H

IIRC, the P3 SDR boards are far more than just a while back

 

[Jhhnn]

You don't have to guess, go to www.formfactors.org for the psu pinouts and mobo layout dimensions....

Dells are often semi-proprietary, having a few weird kinks thrown in just to make 'em a pita- "Genuine Dell" and all that....

 

[Gunbuster]

The Mainboard may be mounted to a removable tray or mounted using tabs instead of screw holes.

 

[surfactant]

so does that mean i have to get a dell branded board? thanks for your interest mark

 

[techwanabe]

I went to do some work on 2 different Dells, my sisters and my moms.

My moms was a PIII 400 mhz and had a Dell branded motherboard with std DIMMs in it, but the case connecter was a single plug proprietary type. That means the HD LED, Power Switch, Reset Switch, Power LED, Speaker, etc were all together in a single connector. I was going to swap in my PIII@733 mhz on an ASUS P3V4X motherboard, but I couldn't connect to it.

The stand-offs are this funky metal twist kind too.

Now my sisters was a PIII 667 mhz Dell and used RAMBUS RIMMs for crying out loud... I couldn't even up her memory cause RAMBUS RIMMs are so hard to find.

 

[mikecel79]

Now my sisters was a PIII 667 mhz Dell and used RAMBUS RIMMs for crying out loud... I couldn't even up her memory cause RAMBUS RIMMs are so hard to find.

Huh? You can find RIMMS at just about any computer place. Mwave and Newegg both sell them.

 

[surfactant]

sounds like i can't even use the case. I will call dell and ask if they can sell a replacement motherboard. Intel 815-e is not exactually cutting edge now. Mark

 

[Mday]

Originally posted by: surfactant
sounds like i can't even use the case. I will call dell and ask if they can sell a replacement motherboard. Intel 815-e is not exactually cutting edge now. Mark

they'll probably charge you $300.

 

[Macro2]

You may just have to buy a new case too and rebuild the computer. Such is life in Dell upgrades.
Fortunately you can get by with a 250-300 watt good quality Power supply.

Mac

 

[Wintermute76]

I came across a thread a couple days ago about someone wanting at dell 815 mobo, I believe someone said that Soyo made one. Do a search should still be able to find it.

Hope it helps.

NM, it was an 810 mobo linky

 

[surfactant]

Dell wants $130.00 for a new intel 815 motherboard. I talked with someone from dell and i am sure she did not live in this country (major communication dysfunction) Don't really know what to do at this point mark

 

[BornStar]

If you were to replace the MB with a non Dell one, you would have to replace the case and the PSU too. If I were you, I'd look at prices for that stuff and decide which one you would like more. It's possible for a similar price that you could get a real MB (not Dell) and a better looking case and more powerful PSU (Dell uses 200W PSUs).

Dell sends a lot of their calls to India for some unknown reason. I have a lot of trouble figuring out what the person I talk to is saying.

 

[surfactant]

Would the processor be a "universal" part?? The chip (1ghz p3) looks standard, the heatsink looks a little different but i have heat sinks for that socket. any help or opinions appreciated mark

 

[mikecel79]

Originally posted by: surfactant
Would the processor be a "universal" part?? The chip (1ghz p3) looks standard, the heatsink looks a little different but i have heat sinks for that socket. any help or opinions appreciated

Yes the CPU is universal.

 

[bunker]

Dell ususally goes with a heatsink and a duct to the fan on the back of the machine for processor cooling. You may want to purchase a new hsf as well for that processor. I don't know enough to tell you if passive cooling alone will be enough for that proc.