- Jan 17, 2014
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So, I would like to start modding cases and systems and have liked the look of building a pc inside my desk for awhile. I have an old desk, as well as an old Dell Optiplex 745 (mini tower version). I figured it would be a good idea to try it with the Optiplex hardware so that if I inadvertently screw something up I haven't really lost anything. So, I have several questions pertaining to this. One, the Optiplex currently has a Pentium D at 3.4 ghz in it, running on a Intel® Q965 (ICH8) Express Chipset dell motherboard. Since the mobo is has an LGA 775 socket, could i replace the cpu with a core 2 duo E6700(if not, what is the best processor I could upgrade it to)? I found one for 20 bucks and it would run a lot cooler and allow me to use a MUCH smaller cooler on the cpu, which obviously would be useful for small spaces.
Second, could I overclock the E6700 on the dell motherboard in the optiplex? Here is the link to the spec sheet: https://www.dell.com/downloads/global/products/optix/en/opti_745techspecs.pdf
Third, for mounting the motherboard inside the desk, could I just screw the motherboard standoffs directly into the wood of the desk or do I need to attach metal to it first?
Fourth, does anybody know of a SATA power chord to 3/4 pin fan connector I could buy?
Fifth, since I might (still not sure) add in a cheap graphics card at some point, what is the most powerful card I could get that would not be badly bottlenecked by the E6700 (or Pentium D if I cannot switch them out.
Sixth, my final question, does anybody have any idea at all if the components in the optiplex would run fine on linux? I have windows for it but would like to try linux.
Also, could anybody reccommend some possible ram for it? It only takes certain types of ddr2 but i might upgrade from 2 gb to 4 gb.
I will not be water cooling as half the point of this is just to be a low cost kind of guinea pig computer desk experiment. I plan to mount one intake fan in the front, and two exhaust fans in the back.
Sorry for writing a book, any answers would be greatly appreciated!
Second, could I overclock the E6700 on the dell motherboard in the optiplex? Here is the link to the spec sheet: https://www.dell.com/downloads/global/products/optix/en/opti_745techspecs.pdf
Third, for mounting the motherboard inside the desk, could I just screw the motherboard standoffs directly into the wood of the desk or do I need to attach metal to it first?
Fourth, does anybody know of a SATA power chord to 3/4 pin fan connector I could buy?
Fifth, since I might (still not sure) add in a cheap graphics card at some point, what is the most powerful card I could get that would not be badly bottlenecked by the E6700 (or Pentium D if I cannot switch them out.
Sixth, my final question, does anybody have any idea at all if the components in the optiplex would run fine on linux? I have windows for it but would like to try linux.
Also, could anybody reccommend some possible ram for it? It only takes certain types of ddr2 but i might upgrade from 2 gb to 4 gb.
I will not be water cooling as half the point of this is just to be a low cost kind of guinea pig computer desk experiment. I plan to mount one intake fan in the front, and two exhaust fans in the back.
Sorry for writing a book, any answers would be greatly appreciated!
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