I wanna swap my dell parts into a new case...

**Phrost** · September 17th, 2002, 08:12 PM

Can it be done, currently I have a dimension 4300s, yah know one of those dumb small and skinny cases.

Well I just bought a 128 MB vid card to put into it without realizing that it probably wouldnt fit in this crappy skinny box. So what I want to do know is put everything into a new case so I can possibly upgrade my computer from time to time.

Can this be done does anyone know?

**PresterJohn** · September 17th, 2002, 08:14 PM

the power supply probably won't fit. if the dell uses a custom floppy, that might need to be replaced too.

also check the back of the dell, is it a standard atx factor?

**Phrost** · September 17th, 2002, 08:22 PM

Ok, what is a standard atx factor?

Also why dont you think the power supply would fit, if it fits in here it wouldnt fit in a bigger case?

**PresterJohn** · September 17th, 2002, 08:31 PM

this should answer your atx question:

http://www.tomshardware.com/howto/02...04/diy-06.html

if your computer is a "mini-desktop", many power supplies don't fit the larger cases. better check...

**PresterJohn** · September 17th, 2002, 08:34 PM

also, depending on what you're running for an OS you might have to reinstall...

you should backup your important data before moving everything to the new case. a friend of mine shorted out his drive somehow when he did something routine inside his pc.

**mpc** · September 17th, 2002, 09:17 PM

Dell's use non standard PS's, so if you have to change the power supply you're either going to have to by a "Dell Standard" power supply or else change the mobo too. If you don't...it will destroy your mobo.

This being said, I don't think you'll have any problem with the fit of the power supply from a 4300 into a larger case, as it's not really a mini pc, but a micro tower.

**Sweeper** · September 18th, 2002, 04:40 AM

I am using a Dell Dimension 4300. I can say that you will have to replace the motherboard, PSU (which should come with the new case you'll be buying, Heatsink/Fan (Dells only fits on there motherboard), 3 1/2 Floppy...... I was thinking the very same thing the other day. Ended up those were going to be the parts I was going to have to buy. Also, being that it came with the I845 Intel board that only supports SDRAM, I would end up having to buy some DDR Memory because I would be upgrading the motherboard. Then after all that I would have to format and reinstall windows.... So I finally said forget it....................and kept it as is:
Dell Dimension 4300
I845 MB / Pentium 4 1.8GHz
512 PC133 Crucial SDRAM
60Gb WD HD
GF4 Ti-4600 128MB
Sound Blaster Live
10/100 NIC
CDROM
CDRW
WIN. XP

**agathodaimon** · September 18th, 2002, 10:03 AM

hehe, yep, sounds about right with a dell.

I was going to upgrade my old Dell, but then came to the realization that it wasn't compatible with ANYTHING. So I said screw it and built a whole new system and only ended up swapping out the Zip drive from the dell into the new system.

**PresterJohn** · September 18th, 2002, 01:15 PM

if you're going to wind up having to buy all that extra stuff, maybe you should just sell the dell and use the money towards that new system...

**SysRq** · September 18th, 2002, 02:14 PM

are there any issues on swtching cases on the normal sized towers like the Dimension 8200?

**Phrost** · September 18th, 2002, 06:00 PM

Looks like it is a standard ATX factor but I think it will be a bigger headache changing everything over so I guss I will just leave it. My 128 MB card works in the computer but I just cant close the case. Its not professional but I have the case a quarter of the way open so I can use this card, I dont want it to go to waste

**Sweeper** · September 18th, 2002, 06:37 PM

My 4300 came in the same case as the 8200's came in. So my 128 fits just fine, but I can't say to much for Dells cooling.

**cowboybooter** · September 18th, 2002, 06:40 PM

Easiest way to upgrade a Dell,

1. Research specs in here, vendors in reseller,

2. Purchase new case ( plus PSU), mobo, CPU/HSF, ram,

3. Purchase new EIDE cables, drives, floppy, monitor, keyboard and mouse.

4. Assemble the former.

5. Using pocket knife, lift corner of DELL sticker emblem on old casing. Remove sticker, apply to new case.

6. Voila, upgrade complete!

IMHO

CBB

**Phrost** · September 18th, 2002, 06:42 PM

Is your case any different from a different case I would buy? Or is it a DELL specially designed case, Ive never seen an 8200's case.

**mpc** · September 18th, 2002, 09:30 PM

Originally posted by SysRq
are there any issues on swtching cases on the normal sized towers like the Dimension 8200?

No. The Dimension 4300 came with the option of two cases. One case was a typical atx case and the other was one of those "desktop" cases that you can place your monitor on top of and that can also be made to stand vertically. It is a much skinnier case than a typical atx case, and when placed standing up, it's drives are vertical rather than horizontal. It is very similar to their OptiPlex business line.

This type of 4300 case is the case that Phrost has.

**Richard Cranium** · September 18th, 2002, 09:44 PM

Run it as is, perhaps skinny down the Windows O/S by running msconfig and deleting a bunch from the startup menu.

Upgrades are often disappointing, you expect far more than the new box delivers.

**Phrost** · September 19th, 2002, 12:27 AM

Originally posted by mpc

No. The Dimension 4300 came with the option of two cases. One case was a typical atx case and the other was one of those "desktop" cases that you can place your monitor on top of and that can also be made to stand vertically. It is a much skinnier case than a typical atx case, and when placed standing up, it's drives are vertical rather than horizontal. It is very similar to their OptiPlex business line.

This type of 4300 case is the case that Phrost has.

Yup it sure is and it really sucks!

**Sweeper** · September 19th, 2002, 04:25 AM

my case

**Phrost** · September 19th, 2002, 11:32 AM

You obviously can expand that and put some hardware upgrades in there, I wonder if its possible just to buy the case off of Dell.

**Sweeper** · September 19th, 2002, 04:18 PM

Good luck. I've been trying to get them to sell me the 4400 DDR board they have. They just keep telling me it would't fit. It's the same case. We have the 8200's, 4400's, at work. They all are the same or very similar. Dell's tech. / Hardware support isn't very helpfull.