How are Dells nowadays?

[Pandamonium]

I haven't opened any Dell machines produced in the last 3 years, so things might have changed.

Is dell using standard PSUs and PSU wiring? (Same goes for motherboard)
Are dell cases standard atx? (including front panel headers)

Basically, if I get a Dell come January, should I expect to be able to
a) swap in a PSU
b) swap everything into a new case+psu combo, eg: antec sonata

I know it's generally speculation for stuff in January, but I don't anticipate major changes in the hardware Dell offers between now and then. Just a new image, IMO.

If not dell, would you recommend someone else? I just don't care to spend an extra $500 making my machine quiet when I could have Dell manufacture one instead. (My friend bought a dell recently, and it's quiet enough for me.)

 

[Wreckem]

Originally posted by: Pandamonium
I haven't opened any Dell machines produced in the last 3 years, so things might have changed.

Is dell using standard PSUs and PSU wiring? (Same goes for motherboard)
Are dell cases standard atx? (including front panel headers)

Basically, if I get a Dell come January, should I expect to be able to
a) swap in a PSU
b) swap everything into a new case+psu combo, eg: antec sonata

I know it's generally speculation for stuff in January, but I don't anticipate major changes in the hardware Dell offers between now and then. Just a new image, IMO.

If not dell, would you recommend someone else? I just don't care to spend an extra $500 making my machine quiet when I could have Dell manufacture one instead. (My friend bought a dell recently, and it's quiet enough for me.)

Dell uses the BTX standard. They dont use proprietary hardware anymore.

 

[bamacre]

Uh, actually, they are based on BTX, not specifically BTX. The cases are proprietary, but I am not sure about the PSU's because they have always been powerful enough.

If you are intent on getting a Dell, I'd go for a refurb Precision 390. Unlike other new Dell models that support Intel C2D (and AMD AM2 as well), it does have PATA connections on the motherboard. It's a solid, well-designed system. The PSU I think is the same as what comes in an XPS 410, rated at only 375W, but does 18A on each of dual 12V rails. And yes, the Prec 390 is also very quiet.

Pic of Prec 390 guts...
http://www.majortoker.com/images/inside_edit.jpg

Front...
http://www.majortoker.com/images/front_edit.jpg

Rear...
http://www.majortoker.com/images/rear_edit.jpg

That is actually a 7900 GTO card in there, along with 2GB of ram and an E6400.

 

[Pandamonium]

Hmmmm.... well what I meant was that I knew that older Dells could not have thier PSUs, motherboards, or cases swapped with standard parts. They rearranged the wiring order on the PSU connectors so that swapping in new PSUs or motherboards could permanently damage them.

Wreckem: have you tried PSU/mobo swaps with recent Dell machines?

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: Pandamonium
Hmmmm.... well what I meant was that I knew that older Dells could not have thier PSUs, motherboards, or cases swapped with standard parts. They rearranged the wiring order on the PSU connectors so that swapping in new PSUs or motherboards could permanently damage them.

Wreckem: have you tried PSU/mobo swaps with recent Dell machines?

The motherboard is definitely proprietary. And if you want to keep the quietness of the PC, why replace the PSU?

The Prec 390 case blows away a Sonata anyway.

 

[Pandamonium]

The next system I get will be C2D powered, and I want to only have SATA cables inside the case. If the dell build bothers me in the slightest and I see a good PSU review on SPCR, I would like to be able to try it out. There's no harm in being able to do more.

I will probably not do anything with the machine within a year of purchase, but I could see myself later assigning it server duties and wanting to change cases/PSUs/etc. Knowing that the parts inside a Dell box adhere to ALL industry standards would be a relief.

 

[nsafreak]

One thing to note (not sure if this appies to newer Dells or not) but my Dimension 8300 while it has a standard ATX power supply it is slightly different in one aspect. The back of the power supply does not have an on/off switch like most other ATX power supplies. Your only options if you want to upgrade the power supply are to cut a hole in the case to allow for the switch or to get one that does not have a switch. Since I didn't want to spend the time and money to cut a hole I went with a PC Power & Cooling Silencer that does not have a switch.