Upgrading...

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One_mic021

New Member
Hey everyone I was wondering if you could give me an opinion on upgrading an old computer.

I have an old Dell 8200 that I would like to upgrade...

The specs are:

Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
1.8 ghz Pentium 4 Processor
Dimension 8200 motherboard (not sure on specifics)
512mb pc800 RDRam
Nvidia Ti4600 128mb Graphics Card
40gb 7200rpm Maxtor HD
120gb 7200rpm Western Digital HD
48x CD-R/RW burner
Creative Sb Live! Sound Card

I don't know about the power supply.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
I know I would be best of getting a new rig, but I'm trying to milk the life out of this old system for maybe 1 more year.

I would like to upgrade my ram to 1gb
Upgrade my video to a 6600gt
and add a DVD burner.

Would this be feasible? Any thoughts or reccomendations would be appreciated.

Thanks,

-Ray
 
If you have an AGP 8X slot, and a decent power supply, a 6600GT is feasible.

RDRAM is generally more expensive than standard DDR, but if your motherboard will support 1GB than it's a neasy upgrade. You can ask Dell if you can get the name of your mobo.

A DVD burner is also an easy upgrade providing you have somewhere to stick it, and a powersupply capable of powering it along with the rest of your computer.
 
All of those upgrades are very feasible. Now all you need to do is come up with a boat load of money to pay for that ram, thats not cheap ram, our family computer has RDram in it. You really are better off building a new one.
 
Money isn't really the issue. I have already found RDRam and am willing to pay the 200+ for it. My computer can take up to 2gb.

The power supply thing has me worried though. How can I find out if it is sufficient?
 
How many watts would my power supply need to be to be sufficient for a 6600 or a 6800?

and as for compatibility, heres my SiSoft Sandra System Summary.

SiSoftware Sandra

System
Host Name : TATIE1109
User : Ray
Domain : DONHOME

Processor
Model : Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 1.80GHz
Speed : 1.80GHz
Performance Rating : PR1975 (estimated)
Cores per Processor : 1 Unit(s)
Threads per Core : 1 Unit(s)
Internal Data Cache : 8kB Synchronous, Write-Thru, 4-way set, 64 byte line size
L2 On-board Cache : 256kB ECC Synchronous, ATC, 8-way set, 64 byte line size, 2 lines per sector

Mainboard
Bus(es) : X-Bus AGP PCI IMB USB i2c/SMBus
MP Support : 1 Processor(s)
MP APIC : Yes
System BIOS : Dell Computer Corporation A05
System : Dell Computer Corporation Dimension 8200
Mainboard : Dell Computer Corporation Dimension 8200
Total Memory : 512MB RDRAM

Chipset 1
Model : Dell Computer Corp 82850/E Host-Hub Interface Bridge Device (A3-step)
Front Side Bus Speed : 4x 100MHz (400MHz data rate)
Total Memory : 512MB RDRAM
Memory Bus Speed : 2x 400MHz (800MHz data rate)

Video System
Monitor/Panel : Plug and Play Monitor
Adapter : NVIDIA GeForce4 Ti 4600
Imaging Device : Chameleon Mega Video Camera
Imaging Device : Chameleon Mega Digital Camera

Physical Storage Devices
Removable Drive : Floppy disk drive
Hard Disk : MAXTOR 6L040L2 (37GB)
Hard Disk : WD 1200BB External USB Device
CD-ROM/DVD : LITE-ON LTR-24102M (CD 40X Rd, 24X Wr)

Logical Storage Devices
1.44MB 3.5" (A:) : N/A
Hard Disk (C:) : 37GB (20GB, 53% Free Space) (NTFS)
Cod2cd1 (D:) : 465MB (CDFS)
Wd usb 2 (F:) : 112GB (57GB, 51% Free Space) (FAT32)

Peripherals
Serial/Parallel Port(s) : 2 COM / 1 LPT
USB Controller/Hub : Intel(r) 82801BA/BAM USB Universal Host Controller - 2442
USB Controller/Hub : Intel(r) 82801BA/BAM USB Universal Host Controller - 2444
USB Controller/Hub : USB Root Hub
USB Controller/Hub : USB Root Hub
USB Controller/Hub : USB Composite Device
USB Controller/Hub : USB Mass Storage Device
Keyboard : Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard
Mouse : PS/2 Compatible Mouse
Human Interface : HID-compliant game controller
Human Interface : USB Human Interface Device

MultiMedia Device(s)
Device : Creative SB Live! Value (WDM)
Device : Creative SBLive! Gameport

Communication Device(s)
Device : Lucent Win Modem

Printers and Faxes
Model : Auto hp psc 2100 series on THESON
Model : \\JOYKO\EPSON

Power Management
AC Line Status : On-Line

Operating System(s)
Windows System : Microsoft Windows XP/2002 Home (Win32 x86) 5.01.2600 (Service Pack 2)

Network Services
Adapter : 3Com EtherLink XL 10/100 PCI For Complete PC Management NIC (3C905C-TX)

Performance Tips
Tip 2546 : Large memory modules should be ECC/Parity.
Tip 2 : Double-click tip or press Enter while a tip is selected for more information about the tip.
 
Last edited:
I bought another 512mb of ram, 500 watt power supply, and a BFG 6600GT OC(Agp).

Now im thinking about buying a new processor. I'v seen other people with Dimension 8200's upgrading to 2.8 ghz. Anybody know which processor would be best?

Thanks

-Ray
 
A new processor would definately be the best next upgrade, go with something in your budget, I would suggest something over 3ghz, but it depends on how much you are willing to spend on it.
 
Would there be any compatibility issues between a 3ghz+ processor and my motherboard or anything else?

The reason I'm aiming for 2.8ghz is because I'v read about someone else putting a 2.8 in their 8200. I would go higher, but I'm not sure if my comp would be compatible with hyperthreading and all that other stuff that would come with the 3+ ghz processors. I would consider a new motherboard but I don't know if it would handle the RDram.

Right now I have

1.8ghz Pentium 4
1gb pc800 RDram
BFG 6600GT OC
500 watt PSU
120 Gb Western Digital 7200rpm
80gb Maxtor

No clue on motherboard

So would a 3+ ghz processor be feasible? Are there any better mobo's I could buy that would accept my ram?
 
I was just told you have to buy a special PSU for Dell's is that true??
I making almost the exact same upgrade is you.
Dell 8100
going to the 6600GT
 
the thing that determines compatability is sockets. Also you need certain sockets for intel and you need to have intel support on your PSU if you have an intel-based system, same with AMD in place of intel.

The only place that power comprimises compatability is if you have a very high power machine on a low power PSU, in which case technically they are compatable just the PSU doesn't have enough power.

I don't know what socket your motherboard is, if I knew I could tell you what kind of upgrades are out there that will work.
 
After doing some research, I'v found that the 8200's primarily have Intel 850 Chipsets. Does that help any?

Is there any way I can find what board I have for sure wihtout having to disassemble the pc?
 
CPU-Z will tell you what kind of board you have, but it won't tell what socket it is if my memory serves me correctly. I don't know of any programs that tell you what socket your MoBo is, I will google it though, maybe it will show up then.
 
any results?

arent there only a few motherboards that were released that supported RDram?

I will write dell about it to try and find my exact one.


Thanks for all the help on all this lowcar.
 
canadian, USD or AUS dollars.....
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RDRAM is generally more expensive than standard DDR
Click to expand...
And by generally, you mean quite right ;)

Money isn't really the issue. I have already found RDRam and am willing to pay the 200+ for it. My computer can take up to 2gb.
Click to expand...
In that case, why not a new machine?Your Socket 478 platform is essentially dead so you're investing in a dead platform

Would there be any compatibility issues between a 3ghz+ processor and my motherboard or anything else?
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1. Well you cant run it at 3.0GHz because the FSB required to hit 3GHz (200x15) wont be available but rather you'd be running it at 1.5GHz (100x15) since your FSB is limited to 100MHz
2. You may have (and probably do) have Prescott support issues

The reason I'm aiming for 2.8ghz is because I'v read about someone else putting a 2.8 in their 8200.
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As long as its a Northwood (which are incredibly rare now) then you'll be ok

I was just told you have to buy a special PSU for Dell's is that true??
Click to expand...
Yeah cuz they have different wiring configuraions
 
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