Transferring (Dell) motherboard to new case... proprietary problems? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

SuperFLYboy12 · 06-10-2005, 01:59 AM

Ok so here's the situation: I'm getting a Dell Optiplex GX270 from the office... I'd like to be able to uprgrade it (Audio/Video mainly, maybe more RAM) but it's a SFF case and I'm stuck with using only low-profile cards.

So my plan is to switch over everything to a bigger case (still microATX) but be able to use normal-size AGP/PCI cards. The only thing I'm wondering about now is if the motherboard will still work in the new case (and with a new/bigger power supply). I've heard stuff about Dell using proprietary motherboards and stuff of that sort, so now I'm wondering if this transfer will work. I'm trying to focus my budget mainly on the case (comes with PSU) and the audio/video/RAM upgrades, the CPU is fine (P4, 2.80 GHz), but will I now have to also look for a new motherboard?

dksuddeth · 06-10-2005, 02:51 AM

normally, switching OEM motherboards to a generic case doesn't work. Since it is proprietary, the back end connectors are usually made for that specific model BUT, without seeing a pic of the back of each case, would be too difficult to tell.

bendsley · 06-10-2005, 05:12 AM

Dell uses Intel motherboards, just like HP uses Intel and Asus. It just depends.

MontanaXVI · 06-10-2005, 05:47 PM

My thoughts on this make me think back to my old Compaq I had when I first moved out.

I changed the processors in it, and was very suprised to see how the heatsink and such were all out fo whack, there was this huge ducting system that ran from what one would think would be a case fan to the processor to act as a sort of cooling system to blow on the heatsink it was very ugly.

I can only imagine Dell might have something stupid like this since you are dealing with a proprietary system, but who knows.

SuperFLYboy12 · 06-10-2005, 08:01 PM

Ok I have to edit what I said in my post a little... So yeah I'm not sure if it's microATX, but given that it's a SFF case, it would most likely be mATX size.

Here's the case of the GX270. And here's the case I'm planning to get. So I mean, it's somewhat similar, and if you look down on the GX270 page, it shows the inside of the case. From the looks of things, it doesn't have any weird cooling setup mentioned above.

Now what I'm also wondering about is the power supply... From all that stuff about Dell and proprietary parts, I'm not sure if I can use another power supply with the motherboard. So should I also transfer the PSU along with everything else?

This is also brings me to my worries about the PSU in general... I think it's just under 200W, so what's going to happen as I add the audio/video upgrades? Will it still hold up?

Dragonlich · 06-11-2005, 01:44 AM

One word of advice: check the power connectors on the motherboard *before* trying this. Dell has been known to use a propietary PSU to motherboard power connector... You might be able to get a converter somewhere, though.

And while you're at it, check the other connectors as well; on/off, reset button, etc.

Mondak · 06-12-2005, 07:02 AM

I am going to go with.... This won't work. Just simple things like mounting the motherboard won't line up I bet. I susupect that it is not a Micro ATX Motherboard in the Dell and their own form factor. That is what they do with the rest of their mobos and I would think they did it here as well. I am a big fan of Dell and buy them for many people, but when I built my own, I could not use their Mobo and had to buy a new one. it was Just slightly a differnt size. Close doesn't work well with Mobos since they are tough to Mod if it is even possible.

I would say that you should be prepared to buy a new Mobo and go from there.

06-10-2005, 01:59 AM	#1 (permalink)
SuperFLYboy12 Tilted	Transferring (Dell) motherboard to new case... proprietary problems? Ok so here's the situation: I'm getting a Dell Optiplex GX270 from the office... I'd like to be able to uprgrade it (Audio/Video mainly, maybe more RAM) but it's a SFF case and I'm stuck with using only low-profile cards. So my plan is to switch over everything to a bigger case (still microATX) but be able to use normal-size AGP/PCI cards. The only thing I'm wondering about now is if the motherboard will still work in the new case (and with a new/bigger power supply). I've heard stuff about Dell using proprietary motherboards and stuff of that sort, so now I'm wondering if this transfer will work. I'm trying to focus my budget mainly on the case (comes with PSU) and the audio/video/RAM upgrades, the CPU is fine (P4, 2.80 GHz), but will I now have to also look for a new motherboard?

06-10-2005, 02:51 AM	#2 (permalink)
dksuddeth Junkie Location: bedford, tx	normally, switching OEM motherboards to a generic case doesn't work. Since it is proprietary, the back end connectors are usually made for that specific model BUT, without seeing a pic of the back of each case, would be too difficult to tell. __________________ "no amount of force can control a free man, a man whose mind is free. No, not the rack, not fission bombs, not anything. You cannot conquer a free man; the most you can do is kill him."

06-10-2005, 05:12 AM	#3 (permalink)
bendsley Professional Loafer Location: texas	Dell uses Intel motherboards, just like HP uses Intel and Asus. It just depends. __________________ "You hear the one about the fella who died, went to the pearly gates? St. Peter let him in. Sees a guy in a suit making a closing argument. Says, "Who's that?" St. Peter says, "Oh, that's God. Thinks he's Denny Crane."

06-10-2005, 05:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
MontanaXVI Junkie Location: Go A's!!!!	My thoughts on this make me think back to my old Compaq I had when I first moved out. I changed the processors in it, and was very suprised to see how the heatsink and such were all out fo whack, there was this huge ducting system that ran from what one would think would be a case fan to the processor to act as a sort of cooling system to blow on the heatsink it was very ugly. I can only imagine Dell might have something stupid like this since you are dealing with a proprietary system, but who knows. __________________ Spank you very much

06-12-2005, 07:02 AM	#7 (permalink)
Mondak Industrialist Location: Southern California	I am going to go with.... This won't work. Just simple things like mounting the motherboard won't line up I bet. I susupect that it is not a Micro ATX Motherboard in the Dell and their own form factor. That is what they do with the rest of their mobos and I would think they did it here as well. I am a big fan of Dell and buy them for many people, but when I built my own, I could not use their Mobo and had to buy a new one. it was Just slightly a differnt size. Close doesn't work well with Mobos since they are tough to Mod if it is even possible. I would say that you should be prepared to buy a new Mobo and go from there. __________________ All truth passes through three stages: First it is ridiculed Second, it is violently opposed and Third, it is accepted as self-evident. ARTHUR SCHOPENHAUER (1788-1860)

06-10-2005, 08:01 PM	#5 (permalink)
SuperFLYboy12 Tilted	Ok I have to edit what I said in my post a little... So yeah I'm not sure if it's microATX, but given that it's a SFF case, it would most likely be mATX size. Here's the case of the GX270. And here's the case I'm planning to get. So I mean, it's somewhat similar, and if you look down on the GX270 page, it shows the inside of the case. From the looks of things, it doesn't have any weird cooling setup mentioned above. Now what I'm also wondering about is the power supply... From all that stuff about Dell and proprietary parts, I'm not sure if I can use another power supply with the motherboard. So should I also transfer the PSU along with everything else? This is also brings me to my worries about the PSU in general... I think it's just under 200W, so what's going to happen as I add the audio/video upgrades? Will it still hold up?

06-11-2005, 01:44 AM	#6 (permalink)
Dragonlich 42, baby! Location: The Netherlands	One word of advice: check the power connectors on the motherboard before trying this. Dell has been known to use a propietary PSU to motherboard power connector... You might be able to get a converter somewhere, though. And while you're at it, check the other connectors as well; on/off, reset button, etc.