Yeah I’ve got the cheapest mobo from ASUS and I still managed to overclock my CPU from 2.2 to 2.98ghz which forced my ram to run at 1000mhz which is perfect since it’s 1066mhz OCZ.
Haven’t had a crash since forever, and I leave this PC on whenever it’s downloading something…
Okay, I don’t think I’ll bother with the mobo fo now then, but is the cpu coolman suggested the best choice? (moniez)
Is it compatible with the motherboard? If so, sure.
How do I fib that out?
I’m not exactly sure which mobo I have, but I know it’s the default one.
CPUz will tell you about your motherboard under the mainboard tab.
Open up the case, then look around for a model number that’s in larger text then the rest. It’s usually a fairly random combination of letters and numbers.
Or you know just load up a small piece of software and read it off there. I’m not sure you realize this but some of those budget mobos do not have clear markings on them as to what they are. In some cases you have to look up the model by the serial on the board.
Why open up the machine when CPUz will tell you in 2 seconds?
I find it’s faster to open my computer then go search something and download it, get it running and then find what you want most of the time.
I’ll save you the trouble and say it’s most likely NOT compatible, since you have a pentium D and the Core 2 series have a different voltage and architecture created after the motherboard was released.
Had it installed anyway, so why not…
i945 chipset is not compatible with core 2 duo
No C2D support for that mobo. Board doesn’t do the FSB required.
I don’t think that chipset would allow for it either anyhow.
EDIT: Damn! Undercut
Okay.
Just to make sure, would my default Dell case likely fit a new mobo?
Almost definitely. If it can’t fit a standard ATX motherboard, there is some fairly decent microATX boards out there. Motherboards follow standards, so I’m betting your board if not ATX, is at least micro ATX.
Ok.
What mobo should I get then?
Well what are the main things you are looking for in the motherboard? Will you overclock? Are you going with Core2? AM2? What is important here? How are you buying this board? through online retailer? which one? I think it’s best to work within what you want, and what you plan to do.
Be careful about getting your mobo in, sometimes Dell and HP have shittily designed cases where you have to take off both sides and the front just to remove the hard drive, so I wouldn’t be surprised if it was next to impossible to replace.
Then again, old Dell cases are a lot better then their new ones, so I wouldn’t expect you to have many problems.
It seems to be using BTX form factor, I’m afraid it won’t fit a standard ATX motherboard, I think you’re gonna have to change your case and your power supply.
Next time don’t buy a Dell.
I didn’t buy it, my parents did.
So basically, I need a whole new rig.
Well, I suppose I can start with the case, and migrate the Dell into it, and the buy mobo+cpu+(apparently psu aswell, why, might I add?).
Well it depends on what you plan on sticking in there.
A default Dell PSU from a crappy old pc probably isn’t strong enough to be able to supply a new motherboard, a new cpu and a new videocard.
Which will definatly consume more power than your current stuff.
I’d recommend a CoolerMaster CM690 for a case. Got one myself.
They’re very big. So lots of space and lots of airflow.
(And they look cool too ;D. Oh, and they ain’t too expensive)
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