Changing a couple of parts...

[eLpRiMo]

I have a OEM Dell Optiplex 755. What I want to do is change the case of this PC. I understand Dell's motherboard only fits into its case, which leads to me having to buy a new motherboard. Also the power supply need to be changed I believe. My question is, Is that the only parts that I would have to change or other parts like the CPU and memory have to be change. I believe that as long as I buy a motherboard with a 775 socket, my current CPU should work, Am I correct? If you need futher info on my PC please ask.

Also any recommendations is appreciated as to parts for my exchange.

Thank you in advanced...

[hockey man]

Welcome to the PC Guide! What is the budget of this upgrade. Is there a reason that you would like a new case? If you go the new case/ new MOBO route then you will also need a new OS, so you will need to think of that inside of your budget. Upgrading dells are horrible!

[jlreich]

What is prompting this upgrade? What do you hope to achieve?

The 755 series is the newer Optiplex line. It supports 4-8GB DDR2, dual core CPU's, PCIe x16. I can't see much advantage in buying a new mobo and case only to use everything else from the system. Unless you have one of the small form factor units.

Give us your service tag number so we can see exactly what you have in the system now, and also let us know what your intentions are for this system and the proposed upgrades. Then we can much better help you decide which way to go and what to get.

[eLpRiMo]

Thank you for the responses, The reason for the exchange is because I need more space inside the machine. I would like to add 2 HD's that I have. The computer it self is awsome, at first I just wanted to change the case, but I research and found out that this motherboard is not atx compatible and so is the power supply.

I also want to add a video card, and apparently space is also an issue there, I haven't tried it but that's what I read.

[jlreich]

No the board is not standard. The power supply should be ATX as far as the wiring goes, but you would want to upgrade it anyway if you are wanting to add in a video card and a couple of hard drives.

Please post your "service tag" number (7 alpha/numeric characters) from the case so I can see your system specs.

[mjc]

Dell was the last major manufacturer to use nonstandard power supplies...and even they stopped that practice a few years ago.

[eLpRiMo]

I prefer not to, If you have any question about the system I am able to answer it.
- Windows XP Professional
- OptiPlex 755
- E6550 @ 2.33GHz
- 4 x 1GB DDR2
- Q35 Express Chipset

Any question please ask.

[mjc]

Well, then all we are doing is taking shots in the dark and wasting time...

[eLpRiMo]

How would my service tag help you, ask me whatever you want, and I am able to answer it... or tell me where you are entering it, and I will give you that information you are going to receive.

[jlreich]

If we enter the service tag in at the Dell website we can see exactly what your specs are and available options. We can even bring up the service manual to look at the inside of the case.

There is nothing personally identifiable linked with the service tag. It is tied to that machine and only gives info on the machine itself.

You can say it is a Optiplex 755, but there are many versions, including four different form factors. Now since you have four ram slots I know you don't have an ultra small form factor, but other that that your info is somewhat generic.

We can work off the info you have given, but it would be most helpful to get the whole picture. One great thing about Dell systems are the service tags. They allow you to see the exact configuration for a specific machine. I wish all manufacturers would do something similar. It would make a techs life a little easier.

[eLpRiMo]

Ok... I apologize, but I am not going to provide the service tag. If you prefer I could enter it myself and give you the information that you desire. If not, can someone help me with my original question.

And once again thank you in advanced...

Also would it best just to buy a video card and leave my computer as it is. I really wanted to change the case, but if this is not possible I would settle with this one.

a possible video card I saw was this one, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150229

and another question, my motherboard does not have ide connector for my old hard drive. Is my best choice to get a external enclosure for it?

[jlreich]

OK, that's fine. Can you tell me what form factor you have? Can you tell me what motherboard? What is the power supply wattage? Are you positive the board does indeed have a PCIe x16 slot? Supporting PCIe x16 and actually having a slot can be two totally different things.

If you put in the service tag at dells website in the support section (http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/product_support/product_support_central?c=us&l=en&s=gen), and look up all the specs that would be great.

Aside from that what is your budget? What do you intend to gain from the upgrade? Play games, what games? Add hard drives? You may have room for one extra depending on form factor. How much space and for what? You can get a 750GB drive for as little as $99 these days.

If it's just extra storage for data like music and videos then a USB drive may do just fine.

[eLpRiMo]

I have a mini tower, with this mother board mother board (http://www.ascendtech.us/itemdesc.asp?ic=MB4DELOPTGM819) the power supply is believe is 305w. I will double check to make sure. I would like to play games, hence the video card. I would like to get something good for a good price. The space for the hard drive could be solved if I change the case and mother board, or I guess I will have to buy a external enclosure.

thank u jlreich...

[jlreich]

I don't see any particular reason to change the case and motherboard. Unless a new power supply will not fit in the case. However a standard ATX power supply should fit in there without much problem. The only thing you will watch out for is the length of the PSU getting in the way of the optical drives.

You have support for 4x SATA with room in the case for two hard drives and two optical drives. And one eSATA, which is a big plus.

Support for full a height PCIe x16 video card.

With high capacity hard drives being so cheap these days I would think room for another hard drive would be fine, but that's up to you. And eSATA allows you to put a drive in an external eSATA enclosure and it is just like it is hooked up internally. I have three SATA drives (320, 500, 750) totaling 1.57 TB. I have a ton of data and three OS's in my system and that's enough to hold me for quite awhile.

Yes you would need to install any existing IDE/PATA drives in an external enclosure because the system does not support IDE/PATA. In the picture there looks like there is an IDE connector lying on it's side, but nothing is said about it in the specs, so it must be something else.

So you have to decide if you are happy with no IDE support, two internal SATA hard drives, and an eSATA port.

If you decide to stay with the mobo and case you will need a new power supply if you intend to install a new video card and another hard drive or two. However, if you just want to install a lowly video card like the 8600 you linked to you can get buy with the existing PSU, probably even with an additional hard drive, although that may be pushing it a little.

You still need to give us a budget? And what games you expect to play?