Want to move my old Dell mobo into a new case

[stinkynathan]

I'm using my old Dell Dimension 4100 (933 mhz P3) as an HTPC in its original (ugly) case. I'd like to order a desktop case for it (fit in the home theater rack) this week.

I'm looking at the Antec Overture II.

First of all, will I be able to phyisically mount this baby in that Antec case? Will the holes in the mobo line up with the mounting locations in the new case?

Secondly, did Dell use a proprietary power connection on that series? I can't find any conclusive information about it. I can easily swap out the PSU from the old case if I have to but I'd rather not.

I'm planning on getting a Socket A mobo and CPU for it later on but can't afford a new mobo, CPU, RAM, and case all at one time.

 

[John]

Yes you can put it in a different case, but that system uses a proprietary psu.

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/s...tm#system_board_connectors_and_sockets

 

[imported_Kiwi]

Many branded PC motherboards and PSU's differ from the ATX standard. The PSU would also need to be moved, if it would fit. I haven't kept good track of Dell lately, but they also made a great many totally non-ATX systems, with all of the backplane add-on slots moved to a daughter board in the bottom of a tower. There is no box compatible with those other than a Dell, and vice versa for using an ATX MB in that variety of Dell box.

The odds are against a Dell owner, unless he owns one of the older "Gamers' Dell" PC's that were all ATX inside (not being made any more). Of the branded PC's, only Gateway is easy enough to swap parts in to be a practical subject for either box swapping, or MB swapping, and in their case, the physical size of the PSU's is non-standard, so you have to make an adapter to use one, or to use the Gateway box, to grind away some of the box's PSU mount for an ATX psu to fit.

I've modded a couple of the Gateway boxes.


:frown:

 

[rayjayturbo]

There are adapters available to use a standard ATX psu with the Dell mb. I just received one with a replacement Dell mb I ordered for a 4100 with a P3 1000mhz. It was the same as this one but came with the board.

 

[stinkynathan]

thanks...but i think i've found I can actually rebuild the whole machine from used parts from FS/FT and a new case

 

[jimmyj68]

centrix-intl.com has a slew of OEM Dell cases and motherboards and power supplies. Maybe they can help with your build. On their web page look under OEM parts.

 

[John]

Originally posted by: rayjayturbo
There are adapters available to use a standard ATX psu with the Dell mb. I just received one with a replacement Dell mb I ordered for a 4100 with a P3 1000mhz. It was the same as this one but came with the board.

I didn't even know that those existed until now. Thanks for sharing. 🙂