Dell XPS Gen 4 question

[gar655]

My 3.6 P4 is getting a little long in the tooth. Funds are limited (as usual). Ideally I would like to replace the MB and processor, either one of the lower cost C2D quads or a Phenom II X4.

I want to reuse everything else, ATI Radeon X850 (I use an Xbox 360 for newer games), 2 HDDs, 2 DVD drives etc... Everything but the memory. I will be going for a 64bit OS and want 4GBs to start with.

So is this doable?

Thanks for the help.

Gene

 

[Slugbait]

Originally posted by: gar655
So is this doable?

Probably not. It was only in the last year or so that XPS started shipping with standard specs. Easiest way to find out is to enter your service number and select upgrades...if mobos come back with standard ATX boards, you should be ok. Another way to find out is to open the case...

 

[gar655]

Thanks. As for looking at the MB how can I tell if it's standard or not?

Gene

 

[Syran]

Well, if it's ATX, when you look at the back of the computer, the ps2/usb/etc will be on the left. with BTX, it will be on the right.

 

[richierich1212]

Isn't the X850 AGP as well? You won't be able to use that in current mobos

 

[Syran]

X850 ran on both PCIe and AGP.

 

[gar655]

My X850 is PCIe. As for the MB I know it's not BTX. It's ATX size but I want to know if it's a standard part. Standard mounting screw holes, shape etc... so that I can replace it with any off the shelf ATX MB.

Thanks again.
Gene

 

[jamesbond007]

I use to have a Dell XPS Gen 4 system and I do not believe the motherboard was standard ATX...I believe it was a form of BTX, but I could be wrong. The connections to the front of the case panel (LED, fans, buttons, etc) I believe are all proprietary.

Look at the large versions of the pictures in the review posted here. The CPU shroud/exhaust system is also very proprietary...

If you're upgrading to a new system, a nice Antec case and 400W+ PSU can be had for well under $150. Dell's Vostro 220 series (including a nice 22" LCD) can be had for under $500 shipped and can easily be tuned for light gaming with just a slight addition of a graphics card that doesn't need extra power. Check out the Hot Deals section for that.

Good luck!

 

[gar655]

Thanks. I guess since the PSU and the MB are both proprietary I'd be better off getting a new case, MB CPU and PSU. To save some cash I'd stripp out the GPU, HDDs and DVD drives since the computer is not worth selling and I don't need a second (somewhat noisy) system for any kind of server.

As for the Vostro- no 64bit OS, MB seems to only support 4GBs. More interested in a system for photos and video rather than gaming.


Gene