Pimp my PC

[StarscreamD]

I have a Dell Dimension 2200. This system comes standard with a 1.3 Ghz cpu and 128 mb of SDRAM. I removed the included 128 mb of memory and replaced it with the best PC 133 SDRAM money could buy, and I filled my slots with two 256 mb sticks: my computer maxes out at 512 mb. I added another hd, a three piece speaker setup from Altec Lansing, and a bigger dell monitor, the E770(Dell). Lastly, I disabled the onboard i810 Intel video card and added a NViDiA GeForce MX 420. I run Kubuntu Linux ver. Feisty Fawn(7.04).

First off, the cd-rw sucks and I want to completely replace it with a dvd-rw. I would just add it, but my case doesn't have an expansion slot for it.

Secondly, I want a better video card. I realize that there aren't very many better ones for my setup than I already have. I got one opinion and they recommended the GeForce FX 5500. One thing I definately like is the TV out.

Thirdly, is there a better mobo I could replace this one with that wont cause problems? Mostly, I want to add more/better RAM and maybe a bigger cpu so I can run VirtualPC.

Lastly, I realize my setup is very outdated. I just want to know what the limits are of this system.

Any thoughts you guys have are welcomely encouraged. Thanks for the read!

[johnny_quest]

Welcome,

First off, the cd-rw sucks and I want to completely replace it with a dvd-rw. I would just add it, but my case doesn't have an expansion slot for it.
Well you have one 5.25" bay. Most DVD burners will burn CDs as well, so one is all you would need. Simply pop the front off (carefully, look for directions on dell.com) and you'll be able to slap a new drive in there. I myself have always had good luck with Lite-On Burners from Newegg (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?Submit=ENE&N=2010100005+50001336+1036506653&Subcategory=5&description=&Ntk=&srchInDesc=). They're only like $30 shipped.


Thirdly, is there a better mobo I could replace this one with that wont cause problems? Mostly, I want to add more/better RAM and maybe a bigger cpu so I can run VirtualPC.

You max amount of ram is 512mb.
The fastest speed is 100Mhz, which is PC100. The PC133 you are using will simply downclock and work like it is PC100.

You can't really swap motherboards on an OEM computer because they often use proprietary patterns on the physical securing of the motherboard, the holes are drilled in a non-standard way... it keeps you coming back to dell for new parts.

I'd say you're probably at the best you can do with that computer. I wouldn't spend anymore money on it, but if you're still not happy you can look to build a new system.



Here's your specs if anyone else wants to take a quick peek...

Technical Specifications
Dell™ Dimension™ 2200

Microprocessor Video
System Information Audio
Expansion Bus Controls and Lights
Memory Power
Drives Physical
Ports and Connectors Environmental


Microprocessor

Microprocessor type
Intel® Celeron® microprocessor that runs at 1.20, 1.30, or 1.40 GHz internally and 100 MHz externally

NOTE: Microprocessor offerings vary by country.

L1 cache
32 KB (16-KB data cache; 16-KB instruction cache)

L2 cache
256-KB SRAM that resides in the processor's core. The L2 cache runs at the processor's internal clock speed.



System Information

System chip set
Intel 810E

DMA channels
two

Interrupt levels
24 APIC mode

System BIOS chip
4 Mb (512 KB)

System clock speed 100 MHz


Expansion Bus

Bus types
PCI (version 2.2)

Bus speed
PCI: 33 MHz

PCI connectors
supports four three-quarter–length cards

PCI connector size
120 pins

PCI connector data width
(maximum)
32 bits



Memory

Architecture
non-ECC SDRAM modules

Memory connectors
two; gold contacts

Memory capacities
128, 256, and 512 MB (non-ECC)

Minimum memory
128 MB (non-ECC)

Maximum memory
512 MB (non-ECC)

Frequency
100 MHz

Voltage
3.3 V

Data bus width
64 bits



Drives

Externally accessible
one 5.25-inch bay

two 3.5-inch bays

Internally accessible
one bay for 1-inch–high IDE hard drive

Available devices
ATA-66 Ultra DMA hard drive, CD drive, DVD drive, and CD-RW drive



Ports and Connectors

Externally accessible:

Serial
9-pin connector; 16550C-compatible

Parallel
25-hole connector (bidirectional)

Video
15-hole connector

Keyboard
6-pin mini-DIN connector or USB connector

Mouse
6-pin mini-DIN connector or USB connector

USB
four USB-compliant connectors

Audio1
three miniature connectors for line-in, line-out, and microphone

Internally accessible:

Primary EIDE channel
40-pin connector on PCI local bus

Secondary EIDE channel
40-pin connector on PCI local bus

Floppy drive
34-pin connector

1 Present only on computers with integrated audio capabilities.



Video

Video controller
Intel 3D AGP graphics



Audio2

Audio controller
ADI 1885

2 Present only on computers with integrated audio capabilities.



Controls and Lights

Power control
push button

Power light
green light on power button—blinking green in sleep state; solid green for power on state

Hard-drive access light
green

Diagnostic code lights
four bicolor (amber and green) located on back panel



Power

DC power supply:

Wattage
145 W

Heat dissipation
495 BTU (fully loaded computer without monitor)

Voltage (switch-selectable on back panel)
90 to 135 V at 60 Hz;180 to 265 V at 50 Hz;
100 V at 50 to 60 Hz for Japanese computers

NOTE: The voltage selection switch must be set to the 115V position even though the AC supply in Japan is 100 V.

Backup battery
3-V CR2032 coin cell



Physical

Height x Width x Depth
39 x 16.8 x 34 cm
(15.375 x 6.625 x 13.375 inches)

Weight
9.9 Kg (22 lbs)



Environmental

Temperature:

Operating
10º to 35ºC (50º to 95ºF)3

Storage
–40º to 65ºC (–40º to 149ºF)

Relative humidity
20% to 80% (noncondensing)

Maximum vibration:

Operating
0.25 G at 3 to 200 Hz at 1/2 octave/min

Storage
0.5 G at 3 to 200 Hz at 1/2 octave/min

Maximum shock:

Operating
bottom half-sine pulse with a change in velocity of 50.8 cm/sec (20 inches/sec)

Storage
23-G faired-square wave with a velocity change of 508 cm/sec (200 inches/sec)

Altitude:

Operating
–15.2 to 3048 m (–50 to 10,000 ft)3

Storage
–15.2 to 10,600 m (–50 to 35,000 ft)

3 At 35°C (95°F), the maximum operating altitude is 914 m (3000 ft).

[rond36]

I think the title of your thread should have been, "Junk my PC".
I wouldn't spend another dime on that thing.

[SufferWell1396]

Rond36 not all of us have the money for a new PC... im running a very similar system to StarscreamD except with a PIII 933 and PC100 512MB RAM. If all you want to do is cruse the internet, listen to music, use word, and maybe play a few games here and there the computer should do you just fine.

[james9631]

Rond36 not all of us have the money for a new PC... im running a very similar system to StarscreamD except with a PIII 933 and PC100 512MB RAM. If all you want to do is cruse the internet, listen to music, use word, and maybe play a few games here and there the computer should do you just fine.

True, but it seems that StarscreamD's PC is not doing just fine. If you want a new mobo and video card, more memory, etc. it is best to save your money now for a new PC later on rather than upgrade this PC because you will not be able to upgrade it much more than it already is.