Need Help with Build

[Falgore]

I am looking to finally spend $$$ to build a new PC for the longest time. I don't know where to start in my build aside from looking at DIY builds on Newegg and I have a pretty general knowledge when it comes to everything but CPUs and GPUs at this point. I am looking for a future proof PC but something that isn't high end I really don't care about playing today's games with everything maxed out.

I have two options and I will list them and I want help from someone who has extensive knowledge to help me out.

OPTION 1 - Budget upwards of $500

My desktop computer is old real old as I work on my laptop ( a little over a year old ) and haven't gamed for a long time on it. It was the original Dell XPS system that came out in the first year Dell introduced it to the public. I was thinking of gutting the computer and salvaging a few things and installing new parts. I will list the specs and tell me if it's possible please thanks.

Intel Pentium 4 3.0ghz
DDR2 2gb RAM
80gb Seagate SATA HD
Sapphire 3850 HD AGP 8x
DVD Burner Samsung
Sound Blaster Audigy 2 sound card
PSU 460 Watts

Option 2 - Budgest upwards of $500 ( maybe $600 )

My 2nd option would compose of starting from scratch and compiling a list of parts I need to acquire and I'm leaning towards Newegg as I like their prices and trust them the most. I know how to build one but as far as parts go I don't know where to start as I'm all confused with motherboards and CPUs mostly as the rest is straightforward.


Thank You.

 

[E4g1e]

I am looking to finally spend $$$ to build a new PC for the longest time. I don't know where to start in my build aside from looking at DIY builds on Newegg and I have a pretty general knowledge when it comes to everything but CPUs and GPUs at this point. I am looking for a future proof PC but something that isn't high end I really don't care about playing today's games with everything maxed out.

I have two options and I will list them and I want help from someone who has extensive knowledge to help me out.

OPTION 1 - Budget upwards of $500

My desktop computer is old real old as I work on my laptop ( a little over a year old ) and haven't gamed for a long time on it. It was the original Dell XPS system that came out in the first year Dell introduced it to the public. I was thinking of gutting the computer and salvaging a few things and installing new parts. I will list the specs and tell me if it's possible please thanks.

Intel Pentium 4 3.0ghz
DDR2 2gb RAM
80gb Seagate SATA HD
Sapphire 3850 HD AGP 8x
DVD Burner Samsung
Sound Blaster Audigy 2 sound card
PSU 460 Watts

Option 2 - Budgest upwards of $500 ( maybe $600 )

My 2nd option would compose of starting from scratch and compiling a list of parts I need to acquire and I'm leaning towards Newegg as I like their prices and trust them the most. I know how to build one but as far as parts go I don't know where to start as I'm all confused with motherboards and CPUs mostly as the rest is straightforward.


Thank You.

Unfortunately, Option 1 is unfeasible: Practically none of the components from that old Dell can be migrated at all to a new system. Nor can new components even fit inside the Dell's case without major metal work. This is because not only no new motherboards use DDR2 RAM or have any PATA ports at all (your optical drive is likely a PATA drive), but also because the Dell XPS systems use the now-no-longer-widely-used BTX form factor or a proprietary form factor.

 

[Falgore]

Unfortunately, Option 1 is unfeasible: Practically none of the components from that old Dell can be migrated at all to a new system. Nor can new components even fit inside the Dell's case without major metal work. This is because not only no new motherboards use DDR2 RAM or have any PATA ports at all (your optical drive is likely a PATA drive), but also because the Dell XPS systems use the now-no-longer-widely-used BTX form factor or a proprietary form factor.

I know most of those components can't be used except for the hard drive which is SATA and the DVD burner. The case itself is HUGE and the PSU is built on the bottom of the case concealed away from the system itself. Are you telling me I won't be able to gut the motherboard and other components and install a new one in there ?!!! WTF

 

[E4g1e]

I know most of those components can't be used except for the hard drive which is SATA and the DVD burner. The case itself is HUGE and the PSU is built on the bottom of the case concealed away from the system itself. Are you telling me I won't be able to gut the motherboard and other components and install a new one in there ?!!! WTF

The motherboard form factor is the key. Dell's systems of the era used either proprietary form factor motherboards or BTX form factor motherboards. A standard ATX motherboard will not fit properly because the screw holes in the case itself do not line up at all with the holes in the motherboard. In fact, without major metal work inside the case itself, you will end up drilling holes through vital motherboard chips or cut through critical electrical connections on the motherboard just to even get the screws to secure the motherboard to the case. And this will either result in a conpletely dead system or (worse) a major electrical fire inside the system.

In addition, open up the inside of the case to determine which motherboard it uses. If the motherboard is at the left side (as viewed from the front) of the case, then it's BTX. All Dell cases that have the PSU mounted on the bottom use the BTX form factor, which is mostly if not completely incompatible with ATX.

Thus, if you must shout "WTF!" at someone, it should be at the big-name OEM computer manufacturers for not using standard motherboards or cases. In fact, I don't think you've opened up the case of that Dell ever since you got it. In fact, I worked inside a Dell Dimension 8300 (right before the XPS BTX series came out). The Dimension 8300 case looked like it could accept a standard ATX motherboard - but as it turned out, it accepted only special tray-mount motherboards available only through Dell.

That said, a few of the lower-end mini-tower Dell systems did accept microATX motherboards but had nonstandard front panel connector leads.

 

[Dangman]

Option 2 - Budgest upwards of $500 ( maybe $600 )

My 2nd option would compose of starting from scratch and compiling a list of parts I need to acquire and I'm leaning towards Newegg as I like their prices and trust them the most. I know how to build one but as far as parts go I don't know where to start as I'm all confused with motherboards and CPUs mostly as the rest is straightforward.

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