Upgrading my Dell Dimension 4500

Discussion in 'Building a new PC' started by fionnzer, Jan 19, 2009.

  1. fionnzer

    fionnzer Member

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    Well I was going to build my own pc from scratch but then my friend gave me his Dell Dimension 4500 So I thought I could save a few bob if Just upgraded this pc
    Problem is I dunno how

    Will the original motherboard be fine or should I buy the one I was going to get ?

    Here is what I want on it

    Graphics driver

    CPU

    Hardrive

    Memory

    Will that all fit and work with the motherboard or will I Get this motherboard

    motherboard

    Here is the thread where I originally got help before I recieved the Dell Dimension 4500

    http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/739936

    Thanks for help
     
    Last edited: Jan 19, 2009
  2. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

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    You will need to throw the case, power supply, motherboard, processor and prior graphics card away to start, as you can't really fit aftermarket boards in dell cases, nor can you connect aftermarket boards to dell power supplies (nor will a replacement fit in a dell case) Your chosen Graphics card and CPU are excellent, the Hard disk is unnecessary and way overpriced, you get the same result (and reliability) with one of these:
    http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/1348806/art/western-digital/caviar-se16-wd6400aaks-ha.html
    140GB More storage, 22 euros less cost.

    Also, graphics driver is the name for the software that runs your graphics card. The actual device is called a graphics card (sometimes slang abbreviated to GPU)
    The memory is fine, but again, you can go cheaper:
    http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/627184/art/corsair/twin2x4096-6400c5-4-gb-2.html
    The smaller heatsink is not a problem unless you use all four sticks. You are only using two, so won't encounter any problems.
    The motherboard you have chosen from Pixmania is also fine.
    However, you will still need a case and Power supply.
    My recommendations:
    http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/675269/art/corsair/cmpsu-450vxeu-pc-power-un.html
    http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/598982/art/cooler-master/elite-332-pc-tower.html
     
  3. fionnzer

    fionnzer Member

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  4. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

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    The dell is unlikely to use a separate card for USB and firewire ports. They are usually integrated in the motherboard. This is no different with normal motherboards. Newer boards provide several USB headers so you can attach more if your case allows.

    I didn't choose that case, as since I originally recommended it, it has gone out of stock and you may not get one for a fortnight.
     
  5. fionnzer

    fionnzer Member

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    But why would I go for that case in the first place all it has is a fan Do I need a fan ? If I dont then ill go for the cheaper one But I can wait a fortnight if needed

    Also I took apart the dell and there is a slot-in card for 3 Firewire ports and a seperate little card with 2 usb ports this card has a number of ways to connect to the motherboard I think it might fit
     
  6. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

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    You will certainly need at least one fan, ideally two or more.

    Fair enough on the USB/Firewire card, it's almost undoubtedly a PCI card, which will fit in the new build.
     
  7. fionnzer

    fionnzer Member

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  8. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

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  9. fionnzer

    fionnzer Member

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  10. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

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    That will fit fine and will certainly give you extra performance. With regard to the hard disk, it depends how much space you think you will need. Modern games take around 6-10GB to install, if you download standard def movies they're usually less than 1GB each. It's High-def that takes up the most space really.
    Here's what I'd buy if you do want more space:
    http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/758000/art/western-digital/caviar-gp-1-tb-7200-rpm-1.html

    It's not quite as fast as the 640GB drive though, I'll warn you.

     
  11. fionnzer

    fionnzer Member

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    hmmmmm I think ill get more space later if needed

    I have a hard drive from the Dell I was wondering should I use it and get an external one instead
    its a Western Digital Caviar WD1200

    Would this decrease performance and such ?
     
  12. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

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    To an extent, yes it would. Not greatly, but you'd notice it.
     
  13. fionnzer

    fionnzer Member

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  14. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

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    Fair enough, obviously bear in mind you'll have to spend extra on shipping, using a separate retailer.
    I didn't realise Komplett had an irish site, I probably would have recommend you buy everything from there, they're a better site than Pixmania.
     
  15. fionnzer

    fionnzer Member

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    Well I can collect stuff myself from Komplett So no shipping price at all Ill look for all the stuff there instead if I can
     

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