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Well, its almost my 18 birthday, and i need gift list...

What i need is a new processor and new motherboard for my computer, And i really know nothing about motherboards. I dont want to spend overly much money though.

I have a ati radon hd 4800 series (i think its 4850-4890, i forget exactly) that i bought not to long ago

and a power supply that will run whatever i get that i bought at the same time =P

My motherboard and processor are both dell, from 2005 i think. and i run Windows xp media center edition version 2002 service pack 3

processor is an Intel Pentium d cpu 3 Ghz (i think its duel core, as if shows to in the device manager)

I also have 4 GB of ram, that came with the computer when it was purchased (which i think was 05, but im not sure.)



I know its not alot to go on, but any suggestions, I can give more info if you ask it.

If you insist on upgrading this computer, before you buy a new motherboard and or power supply you need to know the form factor of the case.

Most likely you have a mATX (Micro ATX). Contact the manufacturer or find a store page to get that info.


Best case scenario, since you are buying a mobo and processor... Why not build a new computer?

You can salvage your RAM and video card and hard drive, besides buying a new mobo/CPU, all you would have to get is a new case and power supply.
With that new mobo and power supply, you could easily upgrade in the future.

It all depends on your budget though.

Dell uses its own special case size. The Mobo should be BTX form factor. Which you are not going to find anything mainstream with that formfactor. Turns upgrading into building a new system.
Like boilerrat said. Salvage what you can and build a new system from the case up.

Ahh, I didn't know that. My ACER uses mATX.

You are better off building a new computer, you can save most of your old parts anyway.

the only thing i need to have fully upgraded my computer is a hard drive, dvd drive, motherboard, procceser, sound card, and case, but its a dell XPS case, Which atleast looks like it should be able to hold most motherboards.

I can keep my ram, dvd drives, hard drive, power supply, and video card but.. well, can anyone suggest a motherboard that i could buy, Like, What is a good company?
.. Like i said, i know nothing about motherboards... My case looks like this.



a dell XPS 400

bloodthirsty_viking wrote:the only thing i need to have fully upgraded my computer is a hard drive, dvd drive, motherboard, procceser, sound card, and case, but its a dell XPS case, Which atleast looks like it should be able to hold most motherboards.

I can keep my ram, dvd drives, hard drive, power supply, and video card but.. well, can anyone suggest a motherboard that i could buy, Like, What is a good company?
.. Like i said, i know nothing about motherboards... My case looks like this.

a dell XPS 400

Computer manufacturers use proprietary MOBO form factors. No off-the-shelf motherboards will fit in them. They also use brand specific PSUs, which rules out reusing them.
What you need to do is salvage the RAM, soundcard, optical drives.
Then get a new case, MOBO, CPU and anyting wlse that needs to be upgraded. use your old optical drives, and RAM(unless you upgrade it too)
You can measure the printed circuit board to determine the form factor. check wiki for the form factor measurements Computer form factor - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

But bascially upgrading is either buying a new branded computer, or building your own from the box up.

are you just trolling?

As Snipe has said..... my New PSU just about didnt fit in my old Dell 3100... Managed to force teh cover on it....

But I suggest you just look at a new computer..... Uhhh lets see... A good mobo company.... I wouldn't know. But don't expect much from that Case..... after all it is Dell

Dell's are not good upgrade computers....go for a Gateway, or a HP

SnipeHunt wrote: are you just trolling?

no, I really need to upgrade, But as i said, I know NOTHING about motherboards..
and nothing to do with them

I know basic computer info.





Ill see what happens, thank you for the help

If you can give us a budget and what you want to do, then we'll gladly help.

I would suggest checking out popular sites like newegg. Lots of people put reviews on the equipment you'll find there. There are alot of good companys that make parts. All of them have budget lines all the way to the uber1337 equipment.

Start with a MOBO that has the CPU socket you want (intel/AMD etc)
and match all of your new parts you are buying to the mobo.

If you are patient enough for a couple months you can wait for deals and build your system for a good price.