Is there an industry-standard MB to replace a dell dimension 5100 MB

[delldrums]

Is there an industry-standard motherboard that will replace a dell dimension 5100 motherboard?

 

[o1die]

Ascendtech has an Intel 965 btx board for $39.99. Most are used. 965 will run older core2 duos, such as the e6400.

 

[photonboy]

Keep in mind there will be issues with reinstalling the Operating System. When you change the motherboard Windows will likely detect it as a new System and will no longer be Activated.

If so, you have a few options:

1) Purchase a new Operating System (Windows 7 x64 Premium OEM for around $100)

2) attempt to Reactivate through Microsoft telling them your motherboard was replaced but it's the same PC (probably will work)

When you replace the motherboard you mainly need to know:
1) the socket type for the CPU
2) the type of motherboard (BTX, ATX..)

Without more information I can't say anymore. If you're attempting to create a gaming PC also keep in mind that your CPU will limit how good of a Graphics card you can purchase (an older HD-4770 will max out an X2-4800+; a modern HD5870 will use on average about 25% of the maximum processing potential of an i7-860.)

It's usually not worth upgrading an older computer. I advise NOT changing the motherboard unless you are having problems.

Many Dell PC's have Power Supplies that are insufficient to power a high-end graphics card.

 

[delldrums]

Thank you to o1die & phontonboy.

The Dell MB has died & I want to replace it with my old Intel D946GZIS.

I bought an APEVIA ATX-CB600W 600W ATX12V Power Supply on sale and am prepared to do the sheet metal work to drill &/or cut the back plane to match the D946GZIS I/O shield.

So, more specifically; my focus is to understand what needs to be addressed regarding the power switch connection - I had seen a blog entry indicating the power switch wiring in the Dell is non-standard.

Apologies for the ambiguity of my initial question.

 

[o1die]

Too bad you didn't know about the Intel board first. It would have been much easier to use another btx board than cut and drill the Dell case.

 

[delldrums]

Do you mean MB4INTG965BTX at
http://www.ascendtech.us/itemdesc.asp?ic=MB4INTG965BTX @39.95 ?

I can only view from a plan/overhead view and the backplane rear panel ports appear to differ from the standard Dell RD203 configuration.

I also found a MB4DELRD203 at
http://www.barebonekit.net/itemdesc.asp?ic=MB4DELRD203&eq=&Tp= @ $99.99
which looks to be an exact replacement