Dell parts in an aftermarket case?

camaroguy1998 · Post by **camaroguy1998** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 3:13 am

I'm trying to find someone who's done this.
I have 2 Dell Optiplex GX 270's(freebies) I'd like to put at least one of them in a different case maybe even both. Has anyone here ever done this?

If someone has do they have any advice or work arounds for problems they came across?

Right off the bat I see some kind of HSF change is going to be needed!
Does anyone have any recommendations on a HSF combo to use with the P4 2.4ghz?

KnightRid · Post by **KnightRid** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 6:39 am

I think that is the only change you will need, since I BELIEVE Dell uses standard motherboard screw locations.

If you are not going to overclock, I have never had a bad HSF...even the cheapest of the cheap kept it cool enough. I regularly use stock HSF setups and have had no problems even with running F@H 24/7 - which you will of course be doing

hheheh

Oh one other problem you might have is the power switch hook up and such. I got around this before by just cutting all the wires off and splicing in connectors from an old dead motherboard

As long as you know which wire is for what, it works fine. I think you can find that on the Dell site, I am not sure. I stopped messing with Dell computers a LONG time ago for those reasons ;)

Mike

camaroguy1998 · Post by **camaroguy1998** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 11:07 am

KnightRid wrote:I think that is the only change you will need, since I BELIEVE Dell uses standard motherboard screw locations.

If you are not going to overclock, I have never had a bad HSF...even the cheapest of the cheap kept it cool enough. I regularly use stock HSF setups and have had no problems even with running F@H 24/7 - which you will of course be doing hheheh

Oh one other problem you might have is the power switch hook up and such. I got around this before by just cutting all the wires off and splicing in connectors from an old dead motherboard As long as you know which wire is for what, it works fine. I think you can find that on the Dell site, I am not sure. I stopped messing with Dell computers a LONG time ago for those reasons ;)

Mike

Sooo, the case/mobo connections are not the same?
If thats true that sucks!
Looks like I better do a bit more research before I go jumping in on this!
BTW.....I would never buy a Dell or any other mass produced computer, these 2 were given to me! Free is hard to turn down!

Thanx KnightRid!

Post by **dicecca112** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 11:07 am

I think that is the only change you will need, since I BELIEVE Dell uses standard motherboard screw locations.

well your wrong they don't. Almost everything is proprietary, expect the HDDs, Memory, and Cpu. Motherboard, cases, cooling, all proprietary and won't fit in a new case

camaroguy1998 · Post by **camaroguy1998** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 11:16 am

dicecca112 wrote:
I think that is the only change you will need, since I BELIEVE Dell uses standard motherboard screw locations.
well your wrong they don't. Almost everything is proprietary, expect the HDDs, Memory, and Cpu. Motherboard, cases, cooling, all proprietary and won't fit in a new case

That SUCKS!
I was expecting some trouble but not this much.
So your saying the Mobo is not any form of ATX?
I knew the HSF would be a problem but I figured that would be an easy fix!
What about PSU connections to the mobo? Is that a standard ATX 20 or 24 pin?

If theres anything else you know about what I'd like to do, please...Let me know!

Right now I'm going into this blind....I havent even opened the case yet!
Any help is greatly appreciated!

Post by **dicecca112** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 11:25 am

take a pic of the insides. Every dell I have dealt with was propierty. The holes to mount the mobo were off from that of a normal atx board, but still ATX size. The PSU was smaller and longer than a normal PSU, and thus would not fit in a normal case

Razorbacx · Post by **Razorbacx** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 1:13 pm

The way that the HSF mounts to the motherboard is different than your standard mounting. My brother-in-laws cpu fan died and he bought a new one, however when I tried to install it the new HSF did not have long enough posts to mate to the mobo. I considered removing the fan and using the zalman fan that he got with the entire assy, but the Dell fan was odd sized as well and the new fan would not fit inside the housing.

Good luck!

camaroguy1998 · Post by **camaroguy1998** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 1:38 pm

The PSU shouldnt be that big of a deal, I should be able to use an aftermarket as long as the main power connector is a standard ATX.
At first glance it appears to be a standard ATX connector.

I popped the case open and I see the HSF is different than anything I've used. The HS mounts on the CPU/mobo but the fan is case mounted with a pop up duct! So the fan doesnt mount directly to the HS. This creates a problem but also gives me an idea to use the existing HS and mount a fan directly to it!

As far as the mobo mounting holes go it seems a cpl are close but only 2 or 4. If its 4 I can live with that but 2 definitely wont be enough!

My daughter has my digicam at the moment, when I get it back I'll take a cpl pics.

If this gets to be too much trouble I may circular file the new case idea.

I appreciate all the help guys, if anyone else thinks of anything else post it!