Need Help with Selecting a Motherboard

F

fire1621

New Member
First I'd like to say thanks for the help and hello to anyone that may wander in here. Second, I would like to say that I know I have a crappy computer, but I'm trying to change that.

I recieved RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 for my birthday and I realized after opening it that I need a much better Video Card. The computer that I have is a Dell 2400 and has an Integrated video card. You may be asking why I'm wondering about a video card in the motherboard forum. Well, the answer is I'm looking to replace my motherboard so I can get an AGP Video Card rather than a PCI video card.

My Computer Specs:
Model:
Dell Computer Corp 82845G/GL/GV Brookdale Host-Hub Interface Bridge (A1-step)
Front Side Bus Speed:
4x 100Mhz (400MHz data rate)
Total Memory:
256MB DDR-SDRAM
Shared Memory:
1MB
Memory Bus Speed:
2x 133Mhz (266MHz data rate)
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The Motherboard that I'm looking at using is: Here at Newegg and has the specs of:

ECS "865PE-A7" i865PE Chipset Motherboard For Intel LGA 775 CPU -RETAIL

Model# 865PE-A7
Item # N82E16813135164

Specifications:
Supported CPU: LGA 775 for latest Intel Pentium 4(HT)/Celeron
Chipset: i865PE + ICH5
FSB: 800/533MHz
RAM: 4x DIMM for Dual Channel DDR 400/333 Max 4GB
Slots: 1x AGP 8X/4X, 5x PCI
Ports: 2x PS/2, 1x COM, 1x LPT, 8x USB2.0(Rear 4), 1x RJ45, Audio Ports
IDE: 2x ATA 100 up to 4 Devices by ICH5
SATA/RAID: 2x SATA by ICH5
Onboard Audio: Realtek ALC655 6-CH Audio
Onboard LAN: Realtek RTL8100C 10/100 Mbps LAN
Form Factor: ATX
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I was wondering if this will fit/work in my computer and whether or not it is a good one. The only problem that I have seemed to come across on the Internet is that it may not fit because of size problems in the Dell 2400.

As for the Video card (which I may have to post in the Video Card section) is this one at NewEgg.

It looks like:
GIGABYTE ATI RADEON 9550 Video Card, 128MB DDR, 64-Bit, TV-Out, 8X AGP, Model "GV-R955128T" -RETAIL

Model# GV-R955128T
Item # N82E16814125140

Specifications:
Chipset/Core Speed: ATI Radeon 9550/250MHz
Memory/Effective Speed: 128MB DDR/400MHz
BUS: AGP 4x/8x
Ports: VGA Out(15 Pin D-Sub) + TV-Out (S-Video)
Support 3D API: DirectX 9, OpenGL 1.5
Max Resolution@32bit Color: 2048X1536
Cable/Accessories: S-Video Adapter , Manual, Driver CD
Retail Box (See pics for details)
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So will these two things work in my Dell 2400, information and specs above. Thanks for the help or links telling me whether or not it will work. I'd like to know before I order them as I would rather not have to send something back for not working or getting stuck with parts that don't work. THANKS AGAIN!!
 
First off if you're gonna upgrade the mobo really upgrade it. The ECS is like a step down from any Dell mobo. If anything look at an ASUS, ABIT, DFI, or MSI (As I've learned). The Gfx card should be able to run RCT3 fine but you might just wanna make the jump to a 9600 Pro or the like on the Nvidia side. As for the size issues you're right, it might not fit. As for the dimensions I'm not really sure. As long as it's an ATX case and an ATX mobo it should fit fine but it might be cramped. You might just wanna think about upgrading everything (Case, mobo, CPU, Ram) In the long run it would be cheaper, and would last you longer than just trying to upgrade a stock Dell.
 
Lord AnthraX said:
First off if you're gonna upgrade the mobo really upgrade it. The ECS is like a step down from any Dell mobo. If anything look at an ASUS, ABIT, DFI, or MSI (As I've learned). The Gfx card should be able to run RCT3 fine but you might just wanna make the jump to a 9600 Pro or the like on the Nvidia side. As for the size issues you're right, it might not fit. As for the dimensions I'm not really sure. As long as it's an ATX case and an ATX mobo it should fit fine but it might be cramped. You might just wanna think about upgrading everything (Case, mobo, CPU, Ram) In the long run it would be cheaper, and would last you longer than just trying to upgrade a stock Dell.
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As a college student, I have a budget that I'm trying to run on. The Dell mobo doesn't have an AGP slot, which is why I was looking at the ECS. The ECS also has (IIRC) more slots for ram and other stuff. As for the graphics card, same issue with $$$. Which brings me to upgrading everything. The computer is basically new and I don't have the $$$ to upgrade everything. How would I know whether or not my case is an ATX case or if it is omething else? I'm probably going to buy a new computer straight out of college, so this is more of just a temporary fix so I can play RTC3. Thanks for the help.
 
I almost certain the a dell 2400 is not a atx case. It very unliky you will get a atx motherboard to work with that case. Your best bet is to buy a new case if you want to upgrade motherboard. Also dell may use dell specific PSU meaning you would need a new PSU. Pretty much in order for you to get a atx motherboard with a agp slot you would need to upgrade motherboard, PSU, Case at the minumin.

One more thing you have a LGA 775 motherboard listed there. Are you certain that your cpu is LGA 775?
 
As a college student, I have a budget that I'm trying to run on
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For $3 more ... http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-128-280&depa=1

The ECS also has (IIRC) more slots for ram and other stuff.
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More than the Dell sure, but not more than "normal" motherboards :)

I almost certain the a dell 2400 is not a atx case. It very unliky you will get a atx motherboard to work with that case.
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Case isnt horribly critical as u can run the thing on the table in a pinch ... getting a PSU however is a problem since Dell PSUs are proprietory
 
So in other words, I'm screwed :). THanks for the help guys. At least you seemed to have saved me some money. I guess I'll just have to return RCT3 and wait until I get a new computer a few years down the road. Thanks for the help anyway. Unless anyone has any other ideas, this case is probably closed and I'll start looking for other fun stuff to spend money on.
 
Around $150. I guess that's because I planned on only getting a motherboard and video card, and not a new computer ;).
 
Around $150. I guess that's because I planned on only getting a motherboard and video card, and not a new computer
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Actually i didnt notice but you're somewhat limited in your choices since you've got a Socket478 mobo and CPU there .. so upgrading to Socket775 and keeping the budget isnt an issue. You should look to put the money in RAM and videocard ... and deal with the motherboard at a later time (possibly both the motherboard and CPU)
 
Praetor said:
Actually i didnt notice but you're somewhat limited in your choices since you've got a Socket478 mobo and CPU there .. so upgrading to Socket775 and keeping the budget isnt an issue. You should look to put the money in RAM and videocard ... and deal with the motherboard at a later time (possibly both the motherboard and CPU)
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So basically your saying that a PCI Video card isn't as bad as people say it is?
 
So basically your saying that a PCI Video card isn't as bad as people say it is?
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Whoa i dunno how you got that conclusion but no. PCI video is quite QUITE obsolete. Now unless all you ever plan to do is look at text and do work then PCI is good enough but what Ive said there is your upgrade path is dependent on your budget since a handful of components could use some upgrading
 
Praetor said:
Whoa i dunno how you got that conclusion but no. PCI video is quite QUITE obsolete. Now unless all you ever plan to do is look at text and do work then PCI is good enough but what Ive said there is your upgrade path is dependent on your budget since a handful of components could use some upgrading
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I guess I didn't understand your post. I read
You should look to put the money in RAM and videocard ... and deal with the motherboard at a later time (possibly both the motherboard and CPU)
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which (to me) would upgrade my Video card from integrated to PCI since all I have are PCI ports. I'm sure I just didn't understand as I didn't think you would say that ;).
 
You overlooked alot, the new motherboard also has to support the same type and the same socket cpu that you have now, and the same type of memory, or else you would have to buy new ram and a new cpu.
 
You overlooked alot, the new motherboard also has to support the same type and the same socket cpu that you have now
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Thats a given. Anyone who assumes otherwise needs to also realize the reason i asked question #2.
 
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