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Salvaging an old Dell is not worth the effort.

C

CurseTheSky

Diamond Member
I have an aging Dell Dimension 8300 sitting around. It has all the generic Dell components, including a Socket 478 P4 3.0GHz. One thing I notice about their computers is they don't use a fan on the processor heat sink. Instead, they have a sort of ventillation duct that directs air from a fan at the back of the case to the processor. Not the most effective method, but then again, all overclocking is also disabled, so it's not a huge concern for them.

I'm going to be fixing the computer up and giving it to my girlfriend's family for Christmas. Instead of just giving them the generic Dell case, I want to move everything into a new case, do it up with all kinds of cold cathods and LED fans, and just make it look awesome. They're NOT computer enthusiasts, so I know this will be the greatest thing they've ever seen.

First of all, I'm looking for a good-looking case that can take a little bit of abuse (two year olds are the best product testers FYI), and not cost over $50. Included PSU is a bonus - I don't care if it's a piece of junk, it probably beats the 250 or 350w that Dell included with it. '

Second, do you think the passive heatsink on the processor combined with the case fans will be enough, or should I look into an aftermarket HSF for it? I can probably find an adequate one cheap enough, but if I can avoid spending extra, it would be a bonus.

I stress again - I'm not looking for high performance. This will still be a Dimension 8300 minus the case. I don't need a good PSU. I don't need the best case in the world. I don't need an awesome cooling solution. I just want something that will get them by for a few more years. It probably sounds like a piece of junk compared to what's out there today, but keep in mind that their current best computer is a P4 2.66GHz, 256MB of RAM and an 80GB HDD. These are NOT computer people. 😛

If I came across sounding cheap, or like I don't want to spend any money on gifts, just keep in mind that A) this computer cost me around $1700 a few years ago (I regret it), and B) this is not my only present to them. 😛
 
Turn it into a brand new Ubuntu Machine. Install Linux Ubuntu Edgy.
You can do a mod on the case, do disco lighting and stickers. Google search for goodies.
You can do it up and still maintain something new.

 
A few things I forgot to specify:

First, the case MUST have a side window. They've seen my computer and they sort of fell in love with it. That's what I'm trying to replicate for them.

Second, they already know they're getting an old computer in new clothes so to speak, I'm just trying to make it look as nice as possible.

Third, I have to stick with Windows XP... they really don't know anything else. They have to call me over just to get a virus scanner installed. 🙁 My main reason for not upgrading it to something more recent is because I want to stick with the copy of Windows that came with the Dell. If I put in a new motherboard / processor (provided I had the cash for that), I'd have to shell out $90 or so for a new copy of Windows XP Home OEM.

This case might be a winner. A little bit more than I specified, looks lame to you and I, but I know they'll love it. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811144026

Thanks for the suggestions so far. 🙂
 
I have used THIS case for two builds and it works very well, and IMHO looks nice fairly compact and by adding 1 fan to the included one it cools great. even OCe'd and folding on two cores core temp shows 55-60c depending on ambient temp. It is also avail in black
YMMV

Amos 😎
 
Originally posted by: MadAmos
I have used THIS case for two builds and it works very well, and IMHO looks nice fairly compact and by adding 1 fan to the included one it cools great. even OCe'd and folding on two cores core temp shows 55-60c depending on ambient temp. It is also avail in black
YMMV

Amos 😎
Click to expand...

The TT Swing is actually my second choice. A local Radioshack sells them, and for around the same price (no shipping for the win). Since the PSU in the Aspire obviously sucks (I know the one that came with my X-Navigator was nothing to brag about) it might be the better option to go with.

The only problem is, I really can't afford to buy a $50-100+ PSU. If I can find one that will run everything in there (350ish is the minimum I would consider) that's cheap enough, I'll definately go with it. In the mean time, I'll keep searching.

Once again, thanks for the suggestions. 🙂
 
I actually have had very good luck with Dell power supplies. I would just reuse the one in there as the one with that case is a POS.
 
Originally posted by: amdskip
I actually have had very good luck with Dell power supplies. I would just reuse the one in there as the one with that case is a POS.
Click to expand...

Probably my best bet at the moment.

Soooo, looks like Thermaltake Swing + Cold Cathods + 120mm LED fans for the win! That just leaves a cheap-but-reliable socket 478 HSF, and various round IDE cables for the HDD and optical drives to consider.

Sad, I'm spending $100+ on looks only. The only performance gain this thing will be getting is cooling temperatures due to better airflow... and since it can't be overclocked, it won't matter anyway. Oh well, it's not for me. 😛
 
Originally posted by: Pretty Cool
You do realize that it is not trivial to swap cases with Dell motherboards. Here is how 1 person accomplished the task:

Changing the case on a Dell Dimension 8300
Click to expand...

Wow, thanks for the link. As pissed as I am, that certainly saved me a lot of headaches later. Now it looks like I'm in the market for a new motherboard and processor... which probably means that the OEM Dell Windows Xp Home copy isn't going to work either. 🙁

Hmm, what can I get for a cheap, decent processor / motherboard these days? Spending $150 or less on both would be excellent, and dual core would be a plus, but certainly not something that's a must-have. The memory in the computer right now is something like DDR333, and with the prices of DDR2, I can't really afford to upgrade right now.

Just when you think everything is ready to go together... 🙁
 
THE FIRST THING YOU NEED TO LOOK AT WHEN TRYING TO SWAP THAT MOTHERBOARD TO A NEW CASE.
You need to look at the power /reset button connections on the board. Dell kept most of the Dimension boards with a separate "board" that is connected to the front of the DELL case in order to keep people from swapping out the motherboards. Check this first and see if you can even do anything with it , and report back!

I see that the person just above me said the same thing. Good morning!!

If you have to upgrade the board , I'd go with an ASUS board. You won't go wrong , and if you are trying to keep the cost down. I doubt they will use more than that 3.0ghz processor can do for them. I didn't see where you said they were gaming. The only other way that I think you can even get close to dual core for that price is to go with an AMD setup. And I'm not familiar with that hardware enough to recomend anything.
 
Originally posted by: Maxspeed996
THE FIRST THING YOU NEED TO LOOK AT WHEN TRYING TO SWAP THAT MOTHERBOARD TO A NEW CASE.
You need to look at the power /reset button connections on the board. Dell kept most of the Dimension boards with a separate "board" that is connected to the front of the DELL case in order to keep people from swapping out the motherboards. Check this first and see if you can even do anything with it , and report back!

I see that the person just above me said the same thing. Good morning!!
Click to expand...

Yep, looks like I'm in the market for a brand new build instead. Going to be posting something in a minute.
 
It's too bad that the "Powmax" 550W for $20 was too good to be true. I wonder if it's one of those cases where only the people who got bad ones took the time to write reviews.
 
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