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Dell compatibility

D

Dozer

Weaksauce
Joined
Feb 22, 2004
Messages
107
Hey, I have a Dell 4550 that I want to transfer to a non-Dell case. I'm wondering whether or not the motherboard is going to fit in an ATX case.

I already know that I need to buy a new HS/F, but do I need to buy a new motherboard and power supply to fit into a new case?

I dunno if anyone is curious, but here's the current HSF:

Closed position:

DellClosed.jpg


Open position:

DellOpen.jpg
 
It will work butt ill would use the same psu because I heard they changed the wireing.
 
Ok, thanks. I've seen those Dell --> ATX PSU converters around, I'm thinking about using one of those - anyone had any bad experiences with em?
 
I can see the 20-pin connector and the P4 12V connector on that motherboard (visible in the picture) - could this be a standard ATX motherboard?
 
20 pin: is a rectangle of 10 pins for 2 rows
12v line: square and 4pins


But i heard dell changed the wires around on the 20 pin
 
Wait a minute...

That heatsink looks halfway decent in there (not a clear pic though). It kinda looks like a Dell-erized SP-94, copper fins with heatpipes. Might not need replacing.
 
Put a 92mm high cfm fan on the heatpipe heatsink and you should be ok.
 
Some things you will run into:

- the mounts in the Dell case are lower than a standard ATX case which means the I/O plate may not line up in your new case in relation to the motherboard.

- the case wiring will have to be hacked, Dell uses a proprietary connector for the front case wiring

- You won't be able to use the Dell CPU air duct, so you will either have to hack that as well or replace the CPU cooler

- IDE cables are probably too short

That's about it, have fun.
 
I thought they stopped the proprietary PSU wiring thing. I could be wrong, but I remember reading it somewhere.
 
It's 100% standard...............just replaced mine with an enermax noisetaker series.....works great.....


power button is propreity......damn those power buttons
 
Haroldmeyer: Yea, that's a 9700 Pro. It's actually a really nice machine - 3.06GHz with a gig of PC2700 - and I want to put it in a more deserving home :)

I did some more research, and it looks like I DO have an ATX power supply. Skynet, thanks for the info - it looks like I can remove the little circuit they have in the front of the case and ghetto-rig it.



Can someone with more knowledge than me make some sense of the connector that goes to the power button, to see if it is even possible to connect this thing to a standard case's power button?

(Pardon the super-quick Paint labels)
FrontPanel.JPG




Oh, and one last thing: someone tell me how to mount a fan on this HSF, if possible :

Hi-res Pic of HSF
 
You could do all sorts of funky twisty ties or other retention mechanisms, but Zalman also sells a fan bracket that might work.
 
Use the Dell power button and trace the wires out. If you look at your case and you look at the wires going to the switch, leds and such you can figure out which wire does what and then hook up your new case's wires accordingly.

Take's time and write it all down, and tape it to the back side of the motherboard shelf so next year when you do something and knock those wires off by accident then you don't have to do it twice;)
 
Wetdevil: my PLL number is on the list of "absolutely no chance" models. :( :(
 
i might be off topic but just in case if any other dell users are reading this and want to know about upgrading your powersupply so that you can add high end graphics and other upgrades, you can find the right dell powersupply upgrade for your computer here.
 
Dozer:

Whats your PLL it still might be overclockable. if its 952601(ICS) then you can still oc by using 952607. Three other people posting on [H] had success OCing that pll even though under unsupported nums it said NO CHANCE!!! FORGET ABOUT IT!!! they still got 300+ mhz out of theyre dell so you might have a shot.

If its some other number I would ask around OC websites for people with the same number.
 
I have a Dell just like this one at work, and it is the only Dell I've ever seen that uses regular PC parts. I don't blame you for wanting to get rid of the case, it is a PIECE OF SHIT! I don't know what Dell was thinking when they designed the split case.
 
Not off-topic at all.... hidden in that product selection is a 100% sure way to find out what format your power supply is. Comfirms I have an ATX power supply!


:D Very nicetip!
 
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