Dell 2400 and upgrading

[Ellie]

First of all, no I don't use a Dell 2400, I have a much better PC than that.

But, basically, I need to setup a server of my own. I'm short of cash, so need to save money wherever possible. My Dad says I can have his old PC to use as a base. It's actually my old PC, so sort of third-hand, but meh... I thought it might still be useful.

It's a Dell 2400 PC. I kinda like the case, but someone once told me that Dell don't use standard parts, they make their own to suit their cases. I wondered if anyone knew if this was the case where the Dell 2400 is concerned.

I'll be using the case itself, the PSU if possible, the DVD-R/CD-RW drive, network card, and that's it. So, I'll be buying my own motherboard, processor, RAM, and that's basically it. (Thinking of going with AMD, but whatever, that's a different matter).

I need to know if I can actually do this before I spend all that cash...




Note: While I am happy with any responses, I would be much happier hearing from someone who actually knows and isn't just guessing.



These are the best images I have been able to find of both mobos. The left is the Dell, the right is what I'm thinking of replacing it with. Both look very similar, but I want to be sure...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v108/ ... /mobos.png[/IMG]




I also have a Q concerning RAM.

On dabs.com, you can buy 1 GB RAM sticks, or a 4 GB RAM "Kit"...
The sticks, to buy four of them, would be about ?100.
The "4 GB Kit" would be around ?300.

But... wouldn't buying four of the 1 GB sticks give you 4 GB RAM? Would that work, (providing I got the right ones for my mobo)?



Links:

Motherboard
1 GB RAM stick
4 GB RAM "kit"

 

[Andy6000]

Google 'ATX Case', look at where the screws are placed, and compare. Chances are that they use a standard case, and then you just make sure you buy a motherboard that says 'ATX Standard' or somesuch on the box.

The case might be a bit small though, and it might have some weird fittings for CD Drives and Hard-drives or something, or who knows. Once you get the motherboard and the PSU in there, you shouldn't have a problem. But when messing around with this stuff, for god's sake, make sure you know what wires are hooking up where, and that your PSU has enough power to support the motherboard, and then make sure it's not just the bare minimum at that.

For the RAM, that product description for the kit is incredibly vague, my guess is that it's 2 2GB stick, as I have no idea if they make a 4GB stick, though I assume it might cost that much. You've just got to remember though, while 4 1GB sticks would give you 4GB, a goodly number of motherboards only have 2 slots, or just plain don't support over 2GB of memory or something similar. Just do your research, make sure all your crap is compatible (for instance, those RAM things you listed are both DDR667, while you might buy a motherboard that takes DDR500 or something silly), and read the installation manuals for them and all that jazz.

 

[Ellie]

Just found out, I've got to buy a new case.

Dell 2400's have wierd "booby traps" in place to basically stop you upgrading them. The PSU's have slightly different plugs - the wires in a different order to normal - so any new motherboard put in would fry. Also, other stuff like the motherboards are a slightly different size, so most wouldn't fit in...

A new case will set me back about ?25, which isn't too bad I suppose, considering it will come with a 400w PSU.

 

[lorddonk]

I use a Dell Dimension 2400. XD

Works fine for me and allows me to play any games I want with very little RAM. Just be sure that your model has 4 RAM slots. Mine only had 2, so I bought a 1GB RAM stick and stuck it in there with (the default) 256MB RAM.

The difference between the "stick" and the "kits" is that the "kit" usually means in TOTAL at the end you end up with 4GB. That could mean they make you use 4 slots, and give you 4 RAM cards, or (if you got a 2 GB) they might require you to buy a 4 slot computer and fill all the slots with 512 MB cards.

In your case, I'd go with the sticks. It's a HUGE deal, I paid $100 bucks JUST for my 1 Gig RAM stick.

Good luck!

 

[madmax_vii]

to be honest with you, I wouldn't even look at using a dell for anything other than an oversized house brick, I'm not sure if anyone else feels the same, but if you're gonna use the dell, firstly reformat everything down to the BIOS itself, cleanse your computer of Dell, then re-install everything (but don't use dell's discs, make sure it's microsoft's install discs!) and to be honest, once you've done what andy said I'd probably suggest buying your upgrades via Novatech, as for quality and price, they're the best you can go to in the UK, well that or crucial for memory.

 

[arcthemonkey]

I disagree with Max in the sense that I have a lot of respect for Dell's computers, and they usually make it pretty easy to remove the junk that comes on them. Although, I'm sure Wyatt is reformatting in here sometime anyway.

But seriously, Wyatt, just make sure that your parts are compatible!

If you aren't already familiar with the terminology, slot types, FSP speeds and so on, take a few weeks to get familiar with it. There are literally dozens of different kinds of RAM that look the same, processor slots can be confusing, so on and so forth. Not only can you end up with parts that won't work, but you can destroy the parts that do work.

BE CAREFULL!

And... use Newegg.

If you want, I can take a look at your parts to make sure they are compatible. I've gone through this mess before.

 

[Ellie]

I would, but Newegg don't have a British site.

And yeah, of course I'll be reformatting. I'm going to be using Linux, and Windows won't re-install anyway as a new motherboard counts as a "new PC" (Dell use OEM editions).

Dell's are good PC's, I have 4 PC's in my house, all of them Dell's. And, the last two computers I have had have been Dell's, and my Dad uses one at work. They are great PC's, and cheap. They just suck when it comes to upgrading.

 

[Tohsaka]

You'll want to pay attention to whay socket that you CPU uses. You don't wanna end up buying a CPU from AMD Socket x293 (not a real socket) just to find out that your Motherboard uses Intel. For me, example, that limited the highest speed I could get to 2.2ghz.

Your PSU is a big one. Seeing as you're making a server, you might wanna get the kind that has the black power ports (internal) for SATA. I know I wish that I did, since you can only plug-in so many drives with IDE.

For the DVD Writer, get Philips. I've seen what Toshiba and Sony have to offer, and tried them myself. I now have a computer with a defunt DVD Drive, and a 50% working DVD Writer. My other computer, using a Philips that I bought myself, runs fine and has great speed.

For RAM, you'll wanna see what your Motherboard supports. Ideally, you'll be running a 64-bit linux and be able to use over 4GB of ram.

First, get your Motherboard, so you know your limitations.

MoBo Images: Left looks like an Intel. I've only ever look inside AMD powered boxes, so I know the one on the right is a AMD.