Does DELL still make the most upgradable OEM systems?

[andrey]

I have worked with few Compaq Evos and I had absolutely no problems adding GeForce4 Ti4600, upgrading RAM to 1GB and swapping DVD for DVD/CD-RW. Every other part inside of case looked pretty standard too, and I'm sure when it will be the time to upgrade power supply, motherboard or processor, it will be a snap as well.

--Andrey

 

[Slogun]

Originally posted by: andrey
I have worked with few Compaq Evos and I had absolutely no problems adding GeForce4 Ti4600, upgrading RAM to 1GB and swapping DVD for DVD/CD-RW. Every other part inside of case looked pretty standard too, and I'm sure when it will be the time to upgrade power supply, motherboard or processor, it will be a snap as well.

--Andrey

Yes, well be careful. If you check my link above about Dells, you will learn that they use a unique power supply and uniquely modified Intel mobos that LOOK like they have a standard ATX power connector, but will , in fact, fry your components if you swap either the PSU or mobo (you are ok if you swap both). Also, the front panel connectors for those mobos are non-standard and a headache (read:nightmare) for someone trying to change the case.

Hopefully Compaq does things in a standard way, but my point is that everyone must be careful about these things.

 

[chizow]

Originally posted by: nanyangview
Yeah i know now HP owns compaq but all the Desktop are still under compaq so there is no HP influence yet. I have seen HP's cases and it look just weird with that vent system, i think it is just an overkill and geesh all the wires. If you buy the HP microtower case(smallest with 3PCI) ur gonna have a hard time even reaching the slots. For compaq it is much better. I can upgrade the CDROMS and HDs w/o even needing a screwdriver cos they all rest on drive rails. Did I mention that Compaq also uses high quality HS for their AMD systems, not those cheesy ones as most would think. Compaq use the Taisol CGK760172 which is some of the best performing and quiet HS around. It is basically inaudible. About Compaq's MB, they are standard size, i could fit a ASUS A7N266 VM in my Presario 6000 series case. The cpq MB is not properietary in anyway from what i can tell.

Check ths PSU and PSU to mobo/connector. I've looked at a few for friends and they are definitely proprietary. Couldn't replace their PSUs when they wanted to ugprade. Also, the firmware on the drives is sometimes rigged to Compaq mobos. BIOS are usually pretty limited as well.

Chiz

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: Slogun

Yes, well be careful. If you check my link above about Dells, you will learn that they use a unique power supply and uniquely modified Intel mobos that LOOK like they have a standard ATX power connector, but will , in fact, fry your components if you swap either the PSU or mobo (you are ok if you swap both). Also, the front panel connectors for those mobos are non-standard and a headache (read:nightmare) for someone trying to change the case.

Hopefully Compaq does things in a standard way, but my point is that everyone must be careful about these things.

One quick question. I was under the impression from this forum and Dell's forum that Dell only used the proprietary power supplies on the P3 computers. Once Intel changed the connector for P4s, Dell didn't bother to make a proprietary power supply and thus all P4 based Dells have the standard connector. Were all those posts completely wrong, partially wrong, or are you just talking about really old Dell computers?

 

[Slogun]

One quick question. I was under the impression from this forum and Dell's forum that Dell only used the proprietary power supplies on the P3 computers. Once Intel changed the connector for P4s, Dell didn't bother to make a proprietary power supply and thus all P4 based Dells have the standard connector. Were all those posts completely wrong, partially wrong, or are you just talking about really old Dell computers?

I'm talking about things sometimes not being as they seem and the need to proceed carefully. I am not making blanket claims about ALL Dell comps. I posted two links earlier in this thread that speak of specific models and specific issues. Those links refer to some P2 and P3 comps, and those are the models that people are going to really be needing to upgrade(or discard).

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: Slogun
I'm talking about things sometimes not being as they seem and the need to proceed carefully. I am not making blanket claims about ALL Dell comps. I posted two links earlier in this thread that speak of specific models and specific issues. Those links refer to some P2 and P3 comps, and those are the models that people are going to really be needing to upgrade.

Ok I was just trying to make certain of which computers you were talking about. I saw your link about a computer from 1998 and got to thinking. You may be right that most of Dell's P2s and P3s have proprietary connectors, but the thread is specifially about buying a brand new computer right now. So far no one has covered whether new Dell computers bought right now use the standard connector.

 

[Slogun]

Ok I was just trying to make certain of which computers you were talking about. I saw your link about a computer from 1998 and got to thinking. You may be right that most of Dell's P2s and P3s have proprietary connectors, but the thread is specifially about buying a brand new computer right now. So far no one has covered whether new Dell computers bought right now use the standard connector.

Well, the title of this thread seemed a bit misleading to me, in stating that Dell comps have consistently been easily upgradeable, didn't want people to get the wrong idea about that.

Yes, whether there are currently any proprietary components would indeed be good to know. Especially since the comp makers seemed to restrict that info when they were doing it