XPS 630 from Dell - anybody try a motherboard swap?

[Juddog]

I'm looking at the XPS 630 line due to my company having an employee purchase program (in the past I have always built my own systems).

Just wondering if anybody here has one and has tried a motherboard swap on it; it supposedly is ATX compliant and the current motherboard they are using is a 650i which isn't compatible with Yorkfield AFAIK (although supposedly is compatible with Wolfdale). So my thoughts are to pick one up, and just swap out the motherboard / proc for a new set right off the bat.

Thoughts?

 

[Brainonska511]

The last I heard about Dell motherboards was that they were layed out in the ATX pattern, but the holes for the screws for the case were in nonstandard places. Of course, this could have changed.

I think the "highest end gaming XPS systems" have standard ATX boards, including screw layouts. I remember Dell advertising that feature as a reason to get one of those systems.

 

[bamacre]

Have you considered an XPS 420? No SLI support, but better chipset (Intel X38).

You could also look into a Precision T3400 which also has an X38 chipset, but with two PCI Express slots, which should support Crossfire, if you are looking for a dual video card config. But if so, look into the model with the 525W PSU.

The standard 375W in the XPS 420 and Precision T3400 has dual 12V rails, and will run high-end cards, 8800 GT, GTS, and GTX, and most likely a 9800 GTX assuming it uses about the same power as the 8800 GTX.

The 3 things you really don't want to replace in Dell systems are the motherboard, case, and power supply. The rest are easy to replace.

 

[Juddog]

Originally posted by: Brainonska511
The last I heard about Dell motherboards was that they were layed out in the ATX pattern, but the holes for the screws for the case were in nonstandard places. Of course, this could have changed.

I think the "highest end gaming XPS systems" have standard ATX boards, including screw layouts. I remember Dell advertising that feature as a reason to get one of those systems.

This is supposedly one of the first XPS systems in a while to have a true industry standard ATX motherboard instead of the proprietary ones they use in the XPS 720 for instance.

Originally posted by: bamacre
Have you considered an XPS 420? No SLI support, but better chipset (Intel X38).

You could also look into a Precision T3400 which also has an X38 chipset, but with two PCI Express slots, which should support Crossfire, if you are looking for a dual video card config. But if so, look into the model with the 525W PSU.

The standard 375W in the XPS 420 and Precision T3400 has dual 12V rails, and will run high-end cards, 8800 GT, GTS, and GTX, and most likely a 9800 GTX assuming it uses about the same power as the 8800 GTX.

The 3 things you really don't want to replace in Dell systems are the motherboard, case, and power supply. The rest are easy to replace.

My old system was a XPS 410 (again because of a deal from work, adding up the components on Newegg at the time was a couple hundred bucks more in cost than the system built and ready to go, plus with a nice warranty).

The 630 comes with a 750 watt PSU and SLI by default, and I was hoping to get dual 8800 GT's and then just swap the mobo once the Yorkfields arrive.

 

[bamacre]

If you already have an XPS 410, you're in good shape right now.

Just wait until prices on the 9800 GTX drop a bit as it becomes more available. If you don't have one already, just grab a Q6600. Maybe even up your memory to 4GB.

My XPS 410 is running...

Q6600
4GB DDR2-667 (Super Talent)
512MB 8800 GTS
160GB Seagate (I also have an external hd)
Vista Ultimate 64bit

The only game that is hurting me is Crysis, and its hurting everyone. It still looks great though.

No sense in spending all kinds of money if you don't have to. And, IMO, SLI is a joke. Bad drivers and compatibility, and forced to use an Nvidia chipset, which is, IMO, inferior to Intel's chipsets.

If you are dead set on getting something more powerful, I would get a refurb'd XPS 720 and upgrade it rather than a brand new XPS 630. I picked up an XPS 720 the other day with a Q6600, 2GB, and a 8800 GT for 850+tax with a coupon code.

 

[JWade]

i was looking at the xps 420 too, but i too already have a 410, other than wasting money, i cant justify upgrading to a newer xps yet (even though I had a 420 in my cart, after coupon code that expores on March 31st, it was 450ish)

q6600
8gb DDR2-800 (Super Talent)
250gb and 500gb hard drives
640mb 8800GTS
dual boot vista Premium 32bit and Ultimate 64bit

 

[Juddog]

I finally found the compatibility list for this unit. It supports Yorkfield and Wolfdale, and today they finally started offering an E8500 proc as an option. Looks like I'm getting one!

I don't like the 720 - motherboard doesn't support Yorkfield, and it's showing it's age. I don't like the 420 as much either - both 420 and 720 are proprietary motherboard format AFAIK, and the 420 while alot cheaper doesn't have SLI.