Dell vs Generic

[adapotata]

Hi, how 'bout some expert opinion on whether a Dell Dimension 2350 will support a new generic motherboard instead of having to get a Dell motherboard?

 

[3Ball]

You will need a new case to go with the new motherboard if you dont get it from dell!

Best,

3Ball

 

[joefriday]

It is a mATX design, so any mATX mobo fit physically fit in the case. The Power supply is a standard ATX design, so you could either reuse the current power supply (250 watt continuous output rating) or replace it with a more powerful one. Any aftermarket unit should fit.

There are a few obstacle you must overcome if you do this:
1. The front audio/usb connector will have to be modified to use on a new mobo

2. The front power switch/HD LED/Power LED connecter will also have to be modified to hook up to a new mobo

3. The green Dell shroud on the rear fan will likely have to be removed.

4. Your copy of Windows XP that originally came with you Dell Dimension will no longer work on your computer when you put in an aftermarket motherboard. It will install Windows just fine, but once the installation is finished, it will ask that you call Microsoft to get a new product key, as neither of the keys you have will work. Microsoft will know you're using an aftermarket mobo in your Dell, and has the right not to give you a new product key. You may be able to get one if you claim the mobo was replaced due to defect, and a stock Dell replacement mobo could not be found, but it's still not guaranteed. You may have to buy a new copy of Windows.

Despite those obstacles, it's not that hard to do. Here's a pic from someone who's done it already:

 

[shinigamiX]

Whoa buddy. Looks like you made a type there, the v should be an i

 

[joefriday]

Out of curiosity, could you give a reason why you want to replace the board? If it is the lack of an AGP slot, you could just replace your board with another one from a different Dell Dimension that came inside the same case style. For example, you 2350 uses the same case design as the Dimension 2400, 3000, 4600, 1100, and B110. Out of those, the 4600 has an agp slot, and an 865 chipset supporting 800 MHz fsb and hyperthreading P4's, which might support Prescott socket 478 cpus, and supports dual channel pc3200 DDR ram. It should be a 100% compatible motherboard, meaning no connecter modifications and no worrying about windows XP not installing (all Dell windows XP CDs will work on any Dell). The 4600 mobo can usually be found on E-bay for around $50.

 

[techiegeek]

One of the main reasons you want to change a MB in your dell is because THEY SUCK when it comes to Over clocking the CPU or FSB the BIOS is locked and people say that programs lick clock gen work with dells but they don't. The only dell on the market that I know of that can be successfully over clocked is the new XPS.

 

[joefriday]

1. You're a tard for making this lame rant in an incredibly old thread. Don't go bringing back threads from the dead unless you actually have something pertinent and beneficial to contribute.

2. Most people don't buy Dells to overclock, but it's possible to overclock them, just like you can overclock any OEM computer, provided you have a CPU/Northbridge chipset combination that's advantageous to pinmods.

3. The first Dells overclockable through BIOS were not the current XPS, but the Gen5 XPS systems sold with the Pentium Extreme Edition 840, released mid 2005, which allowed the end user to change the CPU multiplier.