Random mobo/cpu/gpu compatibility question.

[Holly Short]

So, I have a new build in mind, but am saving some money for now until I can safely spend the money later. My question is this:

I have the new case, hd and psu.

Can I rip out the mobo/cpu from my old PC (Which is decent, 6 gigs ram/920) and pair it with a new gpu?

Just wasn't sure because it was a pre-made dell PC and uses a dell radeon. But I wanted to buy something newer like a 5870.

Thanks!

[Kylewhataru]

If it's a standard atx motherboard you should be able to.

[Jojimbo]

Should be ok with reusing MB/CPU. Keep in mind you'll probably need a new MB if you plan on OCing the 920 though.

[Holly Short]

It says it's a x58 model under speccy, not sure if that qualifies it as ATX. Doesn't say under speccy, any other way I can check?

Should be ok with reusing MB/CPU. Keep in mind you'll probably need a new MB if you plan on OCing the 920 though.

Yes, it locks you from fucking with the BIOS too much. I am just trying to use it in the interim until I can get a better one.

[Holly Short]

Bumping this because I had some doubts, but the model is apparently a dell inc. 0R849J.

I tried talking to a dell rep about this and he wasn't very helpful. Anyone able to give a definite answer? It looks like it is M-ATX.

[fishstix]

you should be able to use a new video card with no problems, however I have doubts that the motherboard will fit in the new case. Dell tends to make PSUs that fit the minimum reqs for the built system, there's a chance that the one you currently have won't have the necessary pci-e plugs for a bigger card. I don't know if they still do this, but the last dell I had, the motherboard was custom, the case wasn't standard. I tried to move the mb into a new case and it just didn't fit right. Also, the PSU was custom with different plugs for the motherboard.

I guess you say you already have the case and psu, if it fits fine, then disregard lol, but yeah, a new videocard should work

[Holly Short]

I confirmed it's M-ATX, so it should be standard ATX.

The case I have says it supports matx.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-160-_-Product

but someone said something about an ISO panel? Not sure how that factors in.

[Olo401]

I think they meant IPS Panel, which is a high-end LED/LCD monitor. Sounds like they were trying to upsell you.

BTW That case will work, but it's gigantic esp. with a mATX setup inside. You might want to consider the HAF 922 instead.

[Holly Short]

I don't think that's what they meant. From a site I was asking on:

oes your existing Dell chassis have a removable I/O shield or is it part of the chassis? Is the front panel header a 2x5standard 10 pin header with pin #10 missing or is it a 2x8 or 2x10 header?

On some Dell's the I/O shield was removable and if yours is removable it can be installed in another chassis? If the front panel motherboard header is a standard 2x5 header with pin #10 missing you shouldn't have to do much on the front panel re-wiring.

You may have a problem with motherboard stand-offs (risers) and alignment of the I/O ports and I/O shield since on many machine Dell doesn't use stand-offs they use raised areas as standoffs on the bottom of the chassis.

In most cases transferring a proprietary motherboard to another chassis will present some problems. Some are easy to correct and some are not so easy to correct. Whether you should attempt the change or not is dependent on your skills and the tools you have available for use.

[Olo401]

Ohhh I gotcha now.. It's the removable aluminum plate that sits between the case and the motherboard. It'll have cutouts for the various I/O jacks on the board. Chances are it's specifically cut to fit Dell's case. If it looks like it'll fit tho go for it.

Standoffs are the little riser screws that hold the board up from the case. They match up to the screw holes and server as screw holes. You should be able to unscrew 'em from the Dell case with a hex driver or a wrench, but if they're soldered on you may have to dig through your spare parts box.

[Holly Short]

to bump this somewhat, can I pop a like 4870 in my dell case even with my 325 psu it has? Figure it'd probably better than doing mother board surgery that may not work.

[fishstix]

don't think 325 will be enough

[Olo401]

to bump this somewhat, can I pop a like 4870 in my dell case even with my 325 psu it has? Figure it'd probably better than doing mother board surgery that may not work.

don't think 325 will be enough

Probably won't.. I have a 550W in my machine and my 4870 pulls just enough power at full load to hit the sweetspot (75-80% power draw, about 410-440W). You should be able to upgrade the power supply, tho some Dells take a non-standard power supply size. A couple companies (namely Athena and Antec) make off-sized units for Dells so look around.