Upgrade for Dimension 4550

[Pete]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

I am thinking of upgrading my 4550, basically to add a new GFX card.
I'm currently having problems with my 9700TX which appears to be overheating.
My thought is I might as well get a New Mobo which supports a PCI Express
GFX card.

So, can someone more knowledgeable that I confirm some of the following
which I believe to be correct.

1) I can put in a new ATX mobo into the 4550 case and use the existing PSU.
2) Although the above is possible, it might be better to get a new case (PSU?)
as there are some issues with the wiring of the front panel. If the re-wire
is trivial, can someone point me at a source for the kits to convert
the wiring... I'm in the UK.
But a new case may give upgraded cooling.
3) I will have to persuade Microsoft to let me transfer (activate) my OEM Win
XP licence to the new machine.

Thanks

Pete

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

"Pete" <nothere@notthere.either> wrote in message
news:cetdvs$qtv$1$8300dec7@news.demon.co.uk...
> I am thinking of upgrading my 4550, basically to add a new GFX card.
> I'm currently having problems with my 9700TX which appears to be
overheating.
> My thought is I might as well get a New Mobo which supports a PCI Express
> GFX card.
>
> So, can someone more knowledgeable that I confirm some of the following
> which I believe to be correct.
>
> 1) I can put in a new ATX mobo into the 4550 case and use the existing
PSU.

Really tough - Dell cases are pretty proprietary

> 2) Although the above is possible, it might be better to get a new case
(PSU?)
> as there are some issues with the wiring of the front panel. If the
re-wire
> is trivial, can someone point me at a source for the kits to convert
> the wiring... I'm in the UK.
> But a new case may give upgraded cooling

Just buy or build a new machine
..
> 3) I will have to persuade Microsoft to let me transfer (activate) my OEM
Win
> XP licence to the new machine.

Good luck. The license is tied to the machine.

>
> Thanks
>
> Pete

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Pete wrote:
> I am thinking of upgrading my 4550, basically to add a new GFX card.
> I'm currently having problems with my 9700TX which appears to be overheating.
> My thought is I might as well get a New Mobo which supports a PCI Express
> GFX card.
>
> So, can someone more knowledgeable that I confirm some of the following
> which I believe to be correct.
>
> 1) I can put in a new ATX mobo into the 4550 case and use the existing PSU.
> 2) Although the above is possible, it might be better to get a new case (PSU?)
> as there are some issues with the wiring of the front panel. If the re-wire
> is trivial, can someone point me at a source for the kits to convert
> the wiring... I'm in the UK.
> But a new case may give upgraded cooling.
> 3) I will have to persuade Microsoft to let me transfer (activate) my OEM Win
> XP licence to the new machine.
>
> Thanks
>
> Pete


What makes you believe that the 9700TX in your machine is overheating?
What type of problems are you having?

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Pete wrote:

> I am thinking of upgrading my 4550, basically to add a new GFX card.
> I'm currently having problems with my 9700TX which appears to be overheating.
> My thought is I might as well get a New Mobo which supports a PCI Express
> GFX card.
>
> So, can someone more knowledgeable that I confirm some of the following
> which I believe to be correct.
>
> 1) I can put in a new ATX mobo into the 4550 case and use the existing PSU.
> 2) Although the above is possible, it might be better to get a new case (PSU?)
> as there are some issues with the wiring of the front panel. If the re-wire
> is trivial, can someone point me at a source for the kits to convert
> the wiring... I'm in the UK.
> But a new case may give upgraded cooling.
> 3) I will have to persuade Microsoft to let me transfer (activate) my OEM Win
> XP licence to the new machine.
>
> Thanks
>
> Pete



What makes you believe that the 9700TX in your machine is overheating?
What type of problems are you having?