Dell Dimension 9100 - Update / Conversion

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neoian

n00b
Joined
Aug 12, 2006
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I was wondering if it would be possible for be to get a Dell Dimension 9200 motherboard and swap it into my Dell Dimenison 9100. This would allow me to get a Core 2 Duo processor and keep some of my components. Which ones would be able to work with the new motherboard?

I was wondering if this was worth the time, or if I should just build a new computer. My goal is to make a gaming machine, but one component at a time since I am a college student on a fixed income.

The Current Specs Are:
Intel Pentium 4 HT @ 3.00GHz
250GB Samsung SATA HDD @ 7200rpm
2GB Kingston Ram (512mb x4)
Nvidia GeForce 6800 256mb

Also would I have to purchase a new power supply and fans to run all of this?

Thanks.
 
well first off, your hdd will be compatible, but would be in need of reformatting. your hdd is most likely sataso it should work none the less. Your ram should also be compatible cause it's ddr2 ram, also your graphics card should also work cause it's x16. obviously you don't want to use your old cpu co that's not worth mentioning. However, even though the 6800 is a powerful graphics card, it may be incapable of running the most current games.

Questions:
-Do you have the dell dimension 9200 mobod?
-Do you have a core 2 cpu?
-Do you have the copy of windows that came with the dell?

If you do not have the 9200 mobod, it is not worth upgrading the system because the 9200 mobod is not cheap. Paying $90 for a used mobod that doesn't have dual x16 is not a viable solution.

You could buy an asus mobod and a core2 cpu setup and still take advantage of the gpu you have ram you have, your hdd, but you CANNOT use the same case, due to incompatibility of BTX and ATX mobods. That's the best way to go. Buy a core 2 mobod with max upgradability and then after a year or so add a legit gpu or a better hdd or more ram, it's your choice, however you'll need a new case.
 
commissioneranthony said:
If you do not have the 9200 mobod, it is not worth upgrading the system because the 9200 mobod is not cheap. Paying $90 for a used mobod that doesn't have dual x16 is not a viable solution.

You could buy an asus mobod and a core2 cpu setup and still take advantage of the gpu you have ram you have, your hdd, but you CANNOT use the same case, due to incompatibility of BTX and ATX mobods. That's the best way to go. Buy a core 2 mobod with max upgradability and then after a year or so add a legit gpu or a better hdd or more ram, it's your choice, however you'll need a new case.
Click to expand...

Which MOBO would you recommend? I have an extra MidTower case so that's no problem.
 
Antec Three Hundred $60
CORSAIR CMPSU-450VX $70
Intel Pentium E5200 $83
MSI P43 Neo3-F $85
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 800 $45
POWERCOLOR AX4830 512MD3-H Radeon HD 4830 512MB $110

and reuse the DVD and Hard Drive from the old pc
 
neoian said:
Which MOBO would you recommend? I have an extra MidTower case so that's no problem.
Click to expand...

I'd recommend these:
Gigabyte GA-EP43-DS3L Intel P43 Motherboard - $85
MSI Neo3-F Intel P43 Motherboard - $85
MSI P45 Neo3-FR Intel P45 Motherboard - $110
Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R Intel P45 Motherboard - $115
Asus P5Q Pro Intel P45 Motherboard - $130
Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P Intel P45 Motherboard - $137
DFI Lanparty DK X38-T2R Intel X38 Motherboard - $150
Asus P5E Deluxe Intel X48 Motherboard - $220
DFI Lanparty DK X48-T2R Intel X48 Motherboard - $220
Gigabyte GA-EX48-DS4 Intel X48 Motherboard - $225

Just to help you out: All of these motherboards have PCI-E 2.0 which may be useful for future GPU upgrades. If you don't need RAID, more than 6 SATA ports and only need semi-decent overclocking, check out the DS3L. If you need 8 SATA ports, RAID, 4 PCI slots, and legacy ports, then get the Neo3-Fr. If you need 8 SATA ports but want RAID, firewire, a second PCI-E x16 port, a second gigabit port, support for 16GB of RAM, optional eSATA, and excellent overclocks, then get the UD3R. If you like the UD3R but want a second PCI-E x16 slot and x8/x8 Crossfire support, then get the UD3P. If you like the UD3P but want an onboard pre-installed fast booting Linux setup and don't need a second gigabit port, then get the Asus P5Q Pro. If you want a motherboard with excellent overclocking capabilities above all else (feature wise), go with the UD3P. If you want Crossfire with full x16/x16 bandwidth, get the Lanparty DK X38. If you have cash to burn, need x16/x16 Crossfire, an
 
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