Motherboard purchase help

[Dragons089]

Ive got a Dell Dimension 3000 and I want to get a new Mobo, this one : http://usa.asus.com/products/mb/socket478/p4p800-vm/overview.htm what one is better? And also I just wanted to know if it would fit in the Dimesion 3000 case, or will I have to buy a new case or maybe just another back panel?

Thanks in advance.

[Frakk]

I think you will have to buy a new case and psu since dell mobos are not designed to be replaced.

[Dragons089]

I thought that after the P3 Dell Mobos could be replaced.

[Zeus]

good times!

[Dragons089]

Errr Zeus? Does that mean it will work?

[Zeus]

I have honestly never worked with that perticular product line so I can't really advise you. But I agree with Frakk that Dell is very notorious for making their cases and mobos proprietary so you cannot replace them.

That being said, with enough time and patience and modding skills ;) you can probably mod the case to allow another mobo & powersupply. But chances are you would be far better off buying a new case and power supply.

Also, that way you know what you are getting.

[Frakk]

you might get away with only replacing the mobo if the powerconnector is a standard atx pinout. heres a thread you might find useful: http://thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=435&highlight=dell+case
if the atx mobo doesnt fit the holes on the tray you can easily drill them to fit and move the standoffs and you dont need to buy a new case if you are on a budget. if you have money to get new parts, you can always get a case+psu+mobo combo

[Zeus]

newegg is a great source for barebones PCs

[The Grendel]

I think you will have to buy a new case and psu since dell mobos are not designed to be replaced.

case? even when they were using proprietary crap with the p3 they had atx form factors...

For socket 478 Dell doesn't use a proprietary mobo/psu setup you should be able to replace the mobo. just make sure that the pinout for the power is the same.

-Grendel