Using Dell components in new computer build?

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vonfeldt7

New Member
My ideal build (which I've been looking into/planning for the last 3 months) isn't going to happen...at the price of $1500, my parents won't let me spend my own money. So I'm going to scale down my plans...a lot.

I have a Dell with these specs:
  1. AMD Athlon X2 5000+
  2. 600W PSU (Which I put in)
  3. 8800GT (obviously, I also put this in)
  4. Dell Mobo
  5. 250GB HDD @ 7200RPM
  6. 2GB RAM @ 667Mhz
  7. DVD Read/Writer

I want to order new RAM, Mobo, Case and OS (Vista 32bit...which is what's going to kill me $ wise) and use the CPU, DVD Drive, HDD, GFX Card, and PSU out of my current computer (Dell).

Would the Dell CPU work with my new mobo?(I know Dell uses proprietary parts sometimes (like their RAM, Mobos, ect)

If it does work, would it be worth investing $300 into the (sorta) new build? I know it'd be a little better...with the better Mobo, and faster/more RAM...but would it be worth the $300?

P.S. the new build would have:

3GB of RAM @ 800Mhz
Motherboard Undecided (cheap...and preferably a decent overclocker)

*EDIT*
I basically have 3 options

1. I just keep "fighting" for the $1500 Build? It would be way better (Q9450, 4GB @ 1066mhz, Asus Maximus Formula, 8800GT) and I know I could eventually get it..it would just take some time...

2. I take the parts out of the Dell and get a new Mobo and RAM, as described in this post.

3. I do nothing, and upgrade in (around) 2 years right before I go to college.
 
Last edited:
vonfeldt7 said:
My ideal build (which I've been looking into/planning for the last 3 months) isn't going to happen...at the price of $1500, my parents won't let me spend my own money. So I'm going to scale down my plans...a lot.

I have a Dell with these specs:
  1. AMD Athlon X2 5000+
  2. 600W PSU (Which I put in)
  3. 8800GT (obviously, I also put this in)
  4. Dell Mobo
  5. 250GB HDD @ 7200RPM
  6. 2GB RAM @ 667Mhz
  7. DVD Read/Writer

I want to order new RAM, Mobo, Case and OS (Vista 32bit...which is what's going to kill me $ wise) and use the CPU, DVD Drive, HDD, GFX Card, and PSU out of my current computer (Dell).

Would the Dell CPU work with my new mobo?(I know Dell uses proprietary parts sometimes (like their RAM, Mobos, ect)

If it does work, would it be worth investing $300 into the (sorta) new build? I know it'd be a little better...with the better Mobo, and faster/more RAM...but would it be worth the $300?

P.S. the new build would have:

3GB of RAM @ 800Mhz
Motherboard Undecided (cheap...and preferably a decent overclocker)

*EDIT*
I basically have 3 options

1. I just keep "fighting" for the $1500 Build? It would be way better (Q9450, 4GB @ 1066mhz, Asus Maximus Formula, 8800GT) and I know I could eventually get it..it would just take some time...

2. I take the parts out of the Dell and get a new Mobo and RAM, as described in this post.

3. I do nothing, and upgrade in (around) 2 years right before I go to college.
Click to expand...

Your CPU should work with a new MoBo, yes.

If you want a cheap, decent OC'er, I suggest the Gigabyte P31 DS3L. Circa $75 and good OC abilities.

Your HDD will be fine after a full format via 3rd party utility (Gparted comes to mind). CPU, HDD, GPU, RAM, PSU will work fine with whatever you decide to replace your current system with.
 
imsati said:
Your CPU should work with a new MoBo, yes.

If you want a cheap, decent OC'er, I suggest the Gigabyte P31 DS3L. Circa $75 and good OC abilities.
Click to expand...
That's an LGA775 board - for Intel processors. He'll need a board that supports his AMD processor as he intends to keep it.

Personally, I wouldn't spend $300 on that sort of upgrade. The additional RAM isn't going to make a huge difference, and while a different motherboard will give you overclocking that you don't have with the Dell, if you're not planning on significant overclocking, that won't be a huge issue.

Are you dissatisfied with the performance of your current system? I'd be inclined to wait for a while before upgrading.
 
3gb of RAM is unessecary, 2gb would do you fine and it saves you about 30 bucks. Buy an OEM vista 32bit (120 bucks last i checked) and then you got 100 to 140 left for your mobo purchase. Get a mobo that you would keep with your future upgrades (many SATA ports, good chipset, w/e else you need). I would go with this here...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231098 (49.99)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116202 (104.99)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131011R (129.99)

it looks like home premium 32bit is only 105 now on newegg. That board has the AMD equivalent of the 680i chipset so its a great board for overclocking and to use SLi to its full potential, if you eventually want to go that route.

That leaves you some wiggle room to put your stuff in a shiny new case b/c I dont believe that mobo will fit in the Dell case.
 
oh, and for a good format program, look for something called Boot n' Nuke. I forget who its made by but its freeware and it uses internationally accepted security measures to wipe any hdd completely clean, thus making it ready for a fresh install of whatever you want.
 
I have a Dell with these specs:
AMD Athlon X2 5000+
600W PSU (Which I put in)
8800GT (obviously, I also put this in)
Dell Mobo
250GB HDD @ 7200RPM
2GB RAM @ 667Mhz
DVD Read/Writer
Click to expand...

To me that looks like a future proof build. A Quad now is unnessary, and that rig should last you for 2-4 years... I seriously doubt that your parents would give in $1500 for a computer...
 
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