Help w/ Dimension 2300 Motherboard

[stayfly12]

I was wondering if this motherboard is compatible with my very old desktop (Dell Dimension 2300). Instead of tossing this one away, I'd like to know all the upgrade possibilities. Buying a new system is not an option for me, being that I recently purchased a brand new notebook.

This is the motherboard I'm looking into:

1) http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...037&CatId=1533

I won't be the one installing these motherboards, an experienced person will.

Will these motherboards be compatible with the dell dimension 2300? Will I be able to replace my current motherboard with this one? If not, what are my options? What type of motherboards should I be looking at?

Thanks in advance.

[BipolarBill]

That is a full ATX motherboard. I believe that the Dell requires a MicroATX (mATX) motherboard.

The power supply may be inadequate for the new setup. Consider an upgrade to at least 350W.

[stayfly12]

Thanks for the reply. You're the first person I've asked that mentioned ATX and mATX.
My original power supply burned out a little over a year ago. The technician replaced it with a "Suntec 550 Power Supply". I'm not sure if this makes any difference.

Looking at matx motherboards now, would these be compatible?

MSI K9N2GM-FD Motherboard - GeForce 8200, Socket AM2+AM2, MicroATX, Audio, Video, DVI, VGA, PCI Express 2.0, Hybrid SLI, USB 2.0, SATA, RAID at TigerDirect.com


Intel DG31PR Motherboard CPU Bundle - Intel Pentium Dual Core E2200 Processor 2.20GHz OEM at TigerDirect.com

I believe I'd have to get a new processor, correct?

[BipolarBill]

That should fit.

Yes - you will need a new CPU and memory. The same is true of the other motherboard.

While 550W is fine, I question the quality of that PSU. If it fails, it may kill your new motherboard. Never buy a cheap power supply.

[stayfly12]

Does the type of socket matter?

[RicheemxX]

Buying a new system is not an option for me, being that I recently purchased a brand new notebook.

Sadly looking at the system you have you are pretty much limited to that option unless you can find an older board that supports the cpu, ram ect that you currently have.

Looking at matx motherboards now, would these be compatible?

MSI K9N2GM-FD Motherboard - GeForce 8200, Socket AM2+AM2, MicroATX, Audio, Video, DVI, VGA, PCI Express 2.0, Hybrid SLI, USB 2.0, SATA, RAID at TigerDirect.com


Intel DG31PR Motherboard CPU Bundle - Intel Pentium Dual Core E2200 Processor 2.20GHz OEM at TigerDirect.com

I believe I'd have to get a new processor, correct?

No they won't work, notice the board only supports AMD CPUs and you selected an Intel CPU. If you go with a new board and cpu you'll also need new RAM as Bill previously mentioned.

If you are trying to reuse your old parts you'll need to look for a socket 478 motherboard, which is what you have now. It looks like you'll need something that supports pc-133 memory as well. Did the board die or is there some other reason you are trying to upgrade just that?

[stayfly12]

The reason I want to upgrade is for faster performance and better options. I know I'll have to buy RAM thats compatible with the new motherboard, as well as other new parts. I figured I'd save a few bucks on buying separate parts rather than buying a whole new system. I'm not much of a gamer, so my main goal is to just achieve faster performance. A new motherboard offers more memory and a better cpu.

[RicheemxX]

Unfortunately since you are dealing with such old parts you won't be able to salvage much nor would you be able to just upgrade one component at a time. From the looks of it the only thing I can see worth being saved would be your drives, you might be lucky and might be able to reuse the power supply, but that depends on the connections it has.

If you post a budget you have in mind that'd help everyone a great deal that way we know what we can work with.

[EXreaction]

Those drives in there are not worth saving, they are old and slow. The hard drive could be used as a backup drive however.

If you want to upgrade, you are better off building an entire new computer. The only thing that you could save is the case, which limits you to microATX (and you can get a new case for $50 anyways).