New case compatible with mobo?

elhomo · #1 (**permalink**) 01-01-2007, 11:09 PM

I have a Dell Dimension 4600 and I wanted to get a new case. I was planning on getting a xion onyx from newegg. I was wondering if this case is compatible with my mobo.

guyladouche · #2 (**permalink**) 01-02-2007, 12:06 AM

Well, it seems to me that this case (if it's the one on newegg that I just looked at) is a mid-size atx case, so as far as size goes, it should be plenty big for the mobo that is used in the Dimension 4600. As far as other things go I can't really say--would have to see your mobo. But unless Dell uses some proprietary case-mounting hardware, the typical mounting hardware that comes with the case should be just fine. Good luck.

elhomo · #3 (**permalink**) 01-02-2007, 02:27 AM

Thank you. Do you think that the mobo in the dimension is a microatx?

**Ash** · #4 (**permalink**) 01-02-2007, 03:06 AM

Hi jsmith70,

Welcome to CompuForums. Hope you can post often in the future and add yourself to the member map [see link in my signature]

I am not not 100% on this but I am pretty sure that there's a microATX mobo inside there. Quite a few review sites mention it, plus they're fairly common for mid-sized towers.

elhomo · #5 (**permalink**) 01-03-2007, 04:43 AM

I'm, wondering whether or not to build a new computer completely. I have a fairly good computer now. I'm not sure whether I can run newer games, and how they woulod look.
My computer:
Manufacturer: Dell Computer Corporation
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.80GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 1024MB RAM
Hard Drive: 36 GB / 58 GB
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 6600
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Sound Card: SoundMAX Digital Audio
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1519)
Mobo: Unknown

Should I upgrade/ build new computer if I want to play games like Crysis on medium-high using vista.

guyladouche · #6 (**permalink**) 01-03-2007, 05:02 AM

If it were me, I would invest in a new computer. I am not by any means saying that your computer is bad, it just seems a bit on the aged side. A 2.8 GHz P4 Hyperthreading system is fairly old (just to clarify--there are not two cpu's in that machine--that's Intel's Hyperthreading--but that's another story...). Probably does not have dual-channel RAM either--a good idea to have in a good gaming machine. And Dells are notorious for using proprietary hardware that is either expensive to upgrade, or impossible.

A GeForce 6600 card is pretty old as well--you'd definitely want to upgrade that if you want to game at decent detail at decent resolutions.

I'd really consider--if you don't want to upgrade your computer right now--that you make a custom-built computer the next time you decide to get a new computer. Either by buying the components and assembling it yourself (fun but possibly time-consuming), or through a website that custom-builds computers. I really really like MonarchComputer.com They're where I got my current computer. Check out the website--you can pick and choose what components you want--whether to go AMD or Intel, and every possible component you wish. The downside is that they charge $150 for assembly, and $150 for shipping/handling. Now for me, with my horrible experience of my last build, and given that I didn't have a whole lot of spare time to troubleshoot everything, it was worth it, but sometimes it's not worth it. Either way, it will still be cheaper than buying a name-brand PC of the same specifications. It's up to you, but as far as individual component prices, they're very fair. I really recommend them.

So like I said--your computer is by no means bad, just a bit old. But upgrading is always fun. I really recommend going dual-core, not that there are that many new single-core processors being released still. Hope it all goes well, whatever you choose.

elhomo · #7 (**permalink**) 01-03-2007, 06:19 AM

I was planning on building my next computer. I was going to order the component and assemble myself for fun. I was wondering if this setup up would work. Sorry that I can't post links, here are descriptions.

Case: XION Onyx XON-301 Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case with Stylish LED Power switch and unique 140mm Green LED Fan

Mobo: ECS 945P-A (1.1) Socket T (LGA 775) Intel 945P ATX Intel Motherboard

Video card

NY VCG88GTSXPB GeForce 8800GTS 640MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card

Processor: Intel Pentium D 945 Presler 3.4GHz LGA 775 Processor BX80553945

RAM: GeIL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory GX22GB5300LDCK

PSU: 450W

CD drive: CD/DVD RW

Hard Drive: 36GB+ 58GB

Are all these parts compatible, and how will I be able to play next gen games like Crysis?
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I know this is a stupid question, but what is overclocking. I have a little computer knowledge, but i don't know how to overclock or what it is.

guyladouche · #8 (**permalink**) 01-03-2007, 07:24 AM

I would really consider going Core 2 Duo. I know that the Pentium D 945 might seem impressive with a 3.4 GHz clock rate, but the Core 2 Duo blows it out of the water--I'd go for the C2D E6600--has a clock rate of 2.4 GHz, but the architecture of the C2D chips are much better (=much more efficient), and has the 4MB shared cache between the 2 cores. However, I think that the C2D is about twice as expensive as the Pent D 945, but it's really worth it if you ask me.

Also, I'd steer clear of Geil RAM--I'd go for something more mainstream like Corsair or Mushkin or OCZ (newegg has a 50 dollar rebate on a 2GB Mushkin DDR2-667 kit right now). I really like OCZ--their "spec ops" RAM has very low timings--find RAM that has as low timings as possible for the money you'd like to spend (assuming that it's good quality ram). Google "RAM timings" if you're not sure what I mean.

The Geforce video card ain't a bad by any means (I guess it's pretty much top-of-the-line right now), but you might want to wait until DX10 comes out--which is soon--so it will drive down the prices of current cards, and get one of those. Also, if you're going to spend nearly $500 on a video card, I'd recommend going with two ATI Radeon x1950xtx cf cards after DX10 comes out and operate two in crossfire mode. I know it has less RAM, but it seems to have much better benchmarks with games than the 8800gts--though each game is different--and in crossfire mode, I'd be willing to bet that they'd beat a single 8800gts. That means that you'd have to look into a crossfire botherboard (a MOBO with two pci-express x16 slots). I have no idea how much current cards will go down in price, but I'd be hopeful that you could get two for $600. Maybe or maybe not--can't say for sure.

Your motherboard is just okay--I had an ECS motherboard in my previous computer. Don't expect a whole lot from ECS boards. It looks like this board is crossfire-enabled, which is nice. However, ECS boards are basically just economy boards. They work, but have hardly any options--such as overclocking ability. I don't know, maybe they've changed, but in my experience, if you wanted to do anything special, it won't do much. Which brings us to your last point:

Overclocking simply is adjusting settings on the motherboard (through the BIOS) to get a higher CPU frequency--so it runs faster. This is done mainly by adjusting the front side bus frequency and the multiplier of the cpu. However, to maintain stability at new operating frequencies, the CPU will require more voltage--which is where choosing the correct motherboard comes into play. ECS have hardly any options for overclocking with voltage delivery to the CPU, and my previous ECS board wasn't stable even 0.1 GHz above stock--it wasn't overheating, just unstable. That brings up another thing--if you want to dabble in overclocking, you should go for a non-stock heatsink/fan. I don't know if this particular board offers much in the way of overclocking--maybe find a hardware forum or maybe check reviews on newegg to see if anyone mentions overclocking to any great extent. If no one says that they got anything past, say 10% of the stock speed, I'd disregard the motherboard as an overclocker. If you'd like to learn more about overclocking, I'd recommend googling it--there are many overclocking guides and whatnot on the web.

In all honesty, I like to overclock my CPU just to see just how high I can get it to be stable, but I don't operate it all the time overclocked--if you don't do it right you can severely shorten the life of the CPU. Even if you do, the CPU's aren't always designed to take relatively high voltages with respect to stock volgates all the time, and the life of the CPU will be shortened--whether or not a user will upgrade before it dies is the question--nowadays, probably they will upgrade before.

Hope all that helps. I'd change the CPU to C2D E6600, the RAM to a better- known brand (OCZ is great) and graphics card to two x1950xtx cf's in crossfire mode--you have a crossfire board, so might as well use it...

elhomo · #9 (**permalink**) 01-03-2007, 07:52 AM

Is the core 2 duo better than my current processor. And is it really worth it to buy it over using my current one or the one I listed because I can't earn money very quick. I just wanted the geforce 8800 for the dx10 compatibility. I want a cost efficient system, but there are items I won't cheap out on(vid card). Is 450W enough for either the geforce or the radeon? I was kinda hoping to stay with one vid card, but let me know if two radeons is worth 200 dollars more.
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Also, are the parts I listed compatible with each other? If they are, what settings will I be able to use on games like Crysis ?

guyladouche · #10 (**permalink**) 01-03-2007, 04:59 PM

Yes, the C2D is most definitely much better than your current processor. Like I said, the P4-HT cpu's are quite old, and use a very old/inefficient architecture--and they're only single-core processors.

And yes, the C2D is also much better than the Pent. D 945 you listed--which is why it's nearly twice the price.

Whether it's worth it to buy the C2D is really up to you. It's worth it to me, but it might not be worth it to you. And to contradict my recommendation, I don't really think it's worth it to have 2 video cards in crossfire mode--a single good one will really be more than enough--and it saves you money, and run them in crossfire mode (or SLI)--assuming that the two "cheaper" cards are still good cards. But the price of current cards will go down soon--just something to keep in mind. I'd sooner get two cheaper cards than one big expensive card for nearly the same amount of money. DX10 hasn't been universally released yet, and current games only use 9.0c, so having a DX10 card right now--except for the fact that it will have a new good chipset and a lot of ram--won't really do a whole lot immediately.

Re: the power supply. Go for a good power supply--like Antec. Don't go for cheaper power supplies as they are...well...cheap, and can crap out soon, taking out some of your components--especially if they do not put out a stable voltage to the components. The worst thing is to have a PSU that fluctuates--this is very bad for the components. If you're going to go Crossfire, then you'll need a more powerful power supply--around 600 watts should be fine. But like I said, crossfire is way overkill--don't bother with it if you're trying to save money.

Keep in mind that your computer will only be as good as it's slowest/worst part. So buying a cheaper CPU or RAM but buying a very expensive video card isn't really the best way to go. I'd say if you buy higher end components but a cheaper video card, it will be better than if you buy the most expensive video card and cheap components.

I really didn't look too closely at all of the components you listed together--it seemed like they all were compliant with each other--Intel chip, intel board, DDR2 ram. Those are pretty much the only things you'd have to worry about--everything else is pretty much universal. But take a closer look at the product specs to make sure.

Good luck. Might be a better idea to start a new thread if you'd like more advice--so others can have input as well. Maybe my recommendations aren't the best.

elhomo · #11 (**permalink**) 01-03-2007, 07:06 PM

I upgraded my PSU when I got my graphics card. Will 350W be enough for the 8800 GTS? If not, how many watts would you recommend?

guyladouche · #12 (**permalink**) 01-03-2007, 08:16 PM

Check the product specifications for the recommended PSU, but I'm pretty sure that anything less than a 450 Watt PSU is not enough.

elhomo · #13 (**permalink**) 01-03-2007, 09:49 PM

Thanks for your advise. Which company PSU would you recommend? I was planning on getting a 450W-500W, but i don't know which company is reliable.
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Is this a good power supply from a good company? Newegg.com - Tagan Black TG480-U1 480W Power Supply - Retail

**Ash** · #14 (**permalink**) 01-03-2007, 10:13 PM

I really would think of getting a PSU rated at around 500W - you may not need all the power initially after building the PSU, but if in the future if you want to upgrade the computer with a better graphics card [and you may also want to consider improving the cooling system if you find the the new gfx card causes overheating].

A couple of brands that I would recommend are Delta and Zippy PSUs.
Just remember that the actual sticker on the PSU may not be accurate - and an easy way of judging a PSU's quality is by seeing how much it weighs. The general rule of thumb is, the better the PSU, the more it weighs [compared to another in the same wattage range].

elhomo · #15 (**permalink**) 01-03-2007, 10:31 PM

Did you look at the link. Please tell me if that is a good PSU. It was one of the only PSU's that fitted the gfx card requirement. Also, I can't feel how much it weighs because i'm getting all the parts off newegg.com.

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