Newbie Question

[gazza]

Is it easy to upgrade a cpu and motherboad on a Dell Dimension 8300? I know its near on impossible to overclock a Dell motherboard thats is why I want to replace it and nowadays you can get a decent processor and motherboad for about £250.00. At the moment I have a P4 2.8 and want to upgrade it to at least P4e 3.4 or equivelant AMD CPU. Also, would I be able to just plug and play a P4e 3.4 into my Dell motherboard which is a Dell 0M2035.

I look forward to your advice.
Gary

[DanTheBanjoman]

If you have a Socket 775 board you can simply plug in the new CPU. If it's S478 You'll need a new mobo or settle for a slower model, though the difference with your current CPU will be minimal.
Though I do think upgrading the CPU will make much of a difference anyhow, you'd be better off overclocking your 2.8 to 3.3 or so (should be able to run at about that speed without any problems)
What are the rest of your systems specs? Consider upgrading something else for the money (ram, videocard)

[gazza]

I tried overclocking my cpu, through system set up, which would not let me change the clock speed and using systool. I would like to hear of any software thats out their to overclock my cpu. My graphics card is a Sapphire X700, was only cheap and is quite a capable card, with a Zalman vf700-cu fan bolted to it, which lets me overclock to about 440/325 without any problems, ive got over a gig of ram, but its only 333 and not the new DDR400. I burn a lot of crap and play champion ship manager at the same time, which the computer goes into slo mo mode and is frustrating. Maybe if I enable hyper threading, that will cure the hanging problems when I am doing more than 2 things at the same time, but programmes are getting so processor hungry, that I will eventually have to upgrade or build my own and use this one for bits and spears.

[AMDCam]

Well with slo-motion Intel and even Dell are the main causes (In my opinion). I really don't want to "flame" you Intel guys again, but I'm just saying, FROM MY EXPERIENCE. So, From my experience, Dell sucks. Also from my experience, Intel processors (since my first pentium 1 to two P3's and a P4) have ALWAYS had problems loading more than one program, especially when they start up. It's really annoying, but the only way I know of to stop it is get an AMD. Now I'm not trying to sell you on AMD, but it really does help, me at least, with multiple programs. I know my old T-bird 1.2ghz could outdo my newer Dimension P4 2.8ghz, with even more programs run in the background. If your X700 came with the system, it sounds new. Is it? Because if it is it's most likely a newer socket, like a 775. So yeah, processor switch outs are really easy, but those stupid Dell clamshell cases might give you a problem. Anyway, yeah processors are pretty much plug-and-play but motherboards are hard work. If you want one of those just get a new case and take everything you want out of your dell, so that way you can get any size motherboard, a new cooler case, and keep all your data.

[Polaris573]

Well, if you replace the motherboard in your dell computer you may have to buy a new power supply too. I've been told dell switches around the power connecters so you can only use their power supplies. I don't know if it's true or not, but I wouldn't be surprised.

[gazza]

AMDCAM.....
Yeah, the X700 I got a couple of months ago, I installed the Zalman cooler last week. I think, the should do for a whle. I think i'm going to max out my credit card and have a order up, new case, motherboard, cpu and ram. I have been looking at a AMD 3400 and Abit AV8 motherboard for about £200, need a little advice on a shell and psu, ive seen that some come supplied or should I buy seperate.

[AMDCam]

Well most people will tell you to buy a separate PSU, but a lot of case companies make good, reliable psu's. I would say get a case with one in it, and if it doesn't work after a while then just get another, but I bought from a cheap company (atrix) and mine has never failed me. If you're gonna load it up with SLI graphics cards and overclock all your stuff, you're better off getting a separate, high-quality PSU. But if not, then just go stock. I'm saying this as a budget-aware guy, but if you don't mind around $50 more for the PSU then I would recommend one just for piece of mind. If you go to newegg.com you can check out all the cases you want. I know Antec and Aspire are big companies, Thermaltake, Cooler Master, and Aerocool all make cases but most people know them for their PC cooling products, so they're probably pretty good. I like my Atrix, but there's really no bad case you can get, until it comes to PSU's. You can get them with or without, but there's really no telling who makes good ones. Also look for fan slots (more is better) for better cooling if you want to overclock or get good performance out of your system. Hope this helps, good luck.

[turbopsi]

I would keep your processor and get a new motherboard with overclocking features. You could run a memory divider so you could save money on RAM.

If you plan on putting it in your DELL case, you may run into formfactor problems. DELL uses proprietary power supplies(among other things), which means you can't upgrade to a better ATX power supply.

Also, as mentioned above, the power supply may not even work with a different motherboard other than the DELL one.

You may have to get a new case AND powersupply, before you even think about replacing the motherboard.

Doesn't proprietary crap suck?


EDIT: So you are thinking of getting a new case, mobo, PSU, and everything. Good :)

IMO, don't get a crappy power supply though. If you are on a budget, I would at least get an Aluminum cheiftec case(awesome airflow, and modding potential), and a X-Connect powersupply.

The Ultra X-connect power supplies are very cheap now, and produce nice clean voltages, and has plenty of amps. I have one. It runs a lot better than my stock piece of crap that came with my case. Get the 500w though, I haven't had experiences with anything else from Ultra.

Or you could get a different reputable brand, like Enermax, Fortron, Sparkle, OCZ(my personal fav), or PC power and Cooling(pricey but nice).

[DR.Death]

it would be alot smarter to build a computer then to up grade it the computer have is a good computer but dont spend alot of money because those boards are smaler then a atx but bigger then a micro atx motherboard so u will probly have a hard time doing that and i think that the socket is 478 so u might do that

[intel igent]

sell the dell and build a custom pc

[gazza]

Thanks for all you help guys, I have got an idea what to do now. Just cant tell the wife, yet.....

[Solaris17]

ya just whanted to throw this in budget i hear ya im 17 part time job ~ 200 week but dont cheap out on a psu (experience) nuf said :)