[link590o]

I have a Dell Dimension 2400 series desktop computer. Yes, the kind where it was specifically designed not be upgraded in certain aspects. I've been wondering at a few options. Replacing my motherboard with something that fits and will work in my favor, or finding the right video card that will fit so I can finally upgrade the graphics on this hunk of sh. If anyone knows of a really good graphics card that will fit in my PCI connectors, or if anyone knows of another motherboard that will fit in my tower, please help me?

[Cosmo]

Regular PCI graphics cards are terrible, never buy one. If you are desperate for one, check out Walmart, they always carry that junk.Newer PCs come with an ATX or MicroATX motherboard. Just find another ATX board (newegg.com, zipzoomfly.com) and replace it. Just make sure your new motherboard has a PCI Express slot, for the newer type graphics cards.

[link590o]

The problem is that my PC isn't a newer PC. So I'm worried that an ATX will not fit or work correctly. Of course, I'm not sure because of one fact. Dell only likes recommending their products, and of course they're trying to make it so nothing else fits. From what I heard, there was only one other Dell model motherboard that would fit in my tower, and even that one carried risks with replacing my old motherboard.I guess what I'm looking for is a guarantee that if I take this advice that it will work. This computer is my lifeline at the moment. And I'm terrified of messing it up simply because I want better performance and the ability to apply upgrades.Another thing I'm worried about is what I'm supposed to do with the upgrades I have in my machine already. I have about 640 megs of RAM that I'm not sure will fit in an ATX memory slot or not.I'm taking a rather large risk in doing this, so if I do it, it had better work. If anyone has any better suggestions, please throw them out into the open.

[mycompdoc]

usually on dell's the front panel connector will not fit any old motherboardthere are some OK PCI video cards availableyou can get an NVidia 5200fx 128MB pci card for around $60if your really into gaming you probably need a new tower

[link590o]

well, it looks like i have 1 of only a few precious options. 1) i get desperate and buy the best PCI video card i can get, and try to live with that till i can buy a new computer. 2) i keep searching for a motherboard that will fit and will carry me for a year or two. 3) i buy a new tower and motherboard. but thats like buying a new computer.as of now, it looks like i'll go with the first option, then wait till i can get a new computer. is there a good PCI card that has a processor built on top of it? i know that geforce and nvidia make a bunch of those kinds of cards.

[Cosmo]

nVidia and ATI make PCI cards, usually something like an ATI Radeon 9600, or a GeForce MX.Both are outdated chipsets, but that's probably the best you can get with PCI.Check out Walmart, they usually carry PCI cards.

[mycompdoc]

I'd look here http://www.newegg.co...tk=&srchInDesc=

[Tochi]

I think your best bet is option #1 until you can get a new computer. I had a Dell before and i tried to upgrade to a new motherboard but then the windows that came with it did not recognise the mb no matter what I did. It may be because the software is "tied" to the original motherboard or something. I also tried to use the same windows on a newer computer I built and just thrash the old one but it will not load either so ended up buying a new windows and having two computers. Anyway, if you want to build a new one there are nice offers on the internet and at a store the name of which I am not sure if PCWorld will allow to be posted here but it starts with an F.

[DeadEye]

Hi Link590O, If your Dell uses Windows XP and you switch out the motherboard to a non-Dell motherboard, your Dell XP setup disk will abort installation as soon as it detects the presence of a non Dell motherboard. If however you purchased the Win XP CD yourself off the shelf you should have no problems installing it after a new motherboard install.You can go online to Dell support to ask if a your motherboard is a standard ATX or MicroATX board. If so you should be able to get a board to work in it, but keep in mind you will need to purchase new memory (your old memory will not work in a modern motherboard). You will most likely have to purchase a new power supply as well if you get a PCI Express equipped motherboard, as most of the video cards are going to require at least a 350 watt power supply. Even is the video card manufacturer says you must have at least 300 watts, you should have a little more than they recommend as a safety factor. The PCI-E cards produced in the last year require anything from 350 to 600 watt power supplies depending on whether the motherboard is an SLI (can use two video cards simultaneously) or not. The bottom line is it would be expensive to upgrade your pc to standards you would probably want.If your pc has an earlier operating system, you are better off purchasing a cheap PCI video card and playing some old games from probably year 2000 and earlier.

[Tree]

I actually have a Dell Dimension 2400 I'm upgrading now. We originally went with a PCI Graphics card (ATI 7K) which did great... but now most of the games coming out require an ATI 8500 or higher... and the few options we have are overpriced and lame.So, I have undertaken the task of upgrading the motherboard so we can use an AGP card. Only problem is, some of the connectors for the front panel are proprietary. The power on/off, the front audio (which I don't use anyways) and the front USB port. This isn't too hard to fix, as I just need to reorganize the connectors... but first I must find out the schematics of those connectors. I could just go with trial & error, but I'm hoping to take the easy route and find it online. Wish me luck!Oh, and the 2400 Motherboard is a micro-ATX. Thankfully, the power supply is not proprietary (like Compaq's old crap used to be) and all the mounting screws are standard. Worst case scenario, I might have to spring for a new case... or dig out one of my old beater cases. ^_^

[Tree]

Quick update...I discovered that if you want to upgrade the motherboard, you also need to get a new case. Dell not only uses proprietary connectors for the front panel (which could be rewired with some effort), but they also use proprietary WIRING for the power supply. Even worse, is that they use standard power supply plugs!! I read several webpages of people telling horror stories about how they bought a new motherboard, plugged it in and poof their motherboard fried. Here is one example:[url]http://www.quepublishing.com/articles/article.asp?p=339053&rl=1Anyways, if you plan to upgrade your Dell Dimension 2400 motherboard, I strongly suggest getting a new case w/ power supply as well! Unless you're wiling to risk your new motherboard to find out. At least a new case is only $10-40.