Dell upgrading options?

[batuchka]

Ok i have a 2+ year old Dimension 9150 and i am thinking of either upgrading it or getting a new PC. The thing is i want to make use of the casing cos (gasp) i think its a really cool case and i never had any noise problems, etc with it! The problem is it's a BTX case and so is the mobo. Now i had researched the net from users of the same PC who wanted to upgrade citing the main reason is that the mobo runs Pentium Ds max. I would like a new Quad/Core 2 Duo/AMD Dual core capable mobo. Now from what i gather these are my options:

1) Get a 9200 mobo and cut out an I/O panel at the back (no room for a 9200 MB I/O panel at the back of my 9150 case)
2) Get a Dimension E530/531 mobo <--- no info so far if this works?
3)Screw the Dell, sell it and get a new system with a ATX/BTX case in case BTX is resurrected in the future (I think CM 830 Evo and a LianLi i saw fits the bill)

What would u gurus advise me? Thanks in advance to anyone who could help a newbie here

 

[ch33zw1z]

option 3...get rid of Dell altogether, welcome to the forums.

 

[palladium]

get rid of dell. You're lucky your Dell runs Pentium D, my only supports P4 AND it does not have a PCIex16 or AGP slot.

 

[colonel]

Get rid of dell and build your Own ring, the best thing you can do.

 

[batuchka]

Whoa thanks for the replies guys - appreciate it >< So no hope for exploring options 1 & 2 then? I was eyeing some used 9200/E521/E520 mobos which are all BTX and i was thinking of a stop gap measure before i go all out for a DIY rig

 

[heyheybooboo]

Originally posted by: batuchka
Whoa thanks for the replies guys - appreciate it >< So no hope for exploring options 1 & 2 then? I was eyeing some used 9200/E521/E520 mobos which are all BTX and i was thinking of a stop gap measure before i go all out for a DIY rig

I'd keep the Dell box around - if only for some mod fun. The problem with a btx chassis is that a bunch of engineers went over-anal into design and function. Maybe buy a tuner card and turn it into an htpc ...

When you venture outside of their specs & guidelines envelop the btx ventilation, cooling, structural and design standards go to sheet. Of course, I take pleasure in drilling, cutting and riveting their hard work to the moon --

It's not really practical --- but it's fun!

And build another rig for your day-to-day stuff