Hi everyone, I enjoy reading this part of the site. I have a Dell Dimension 2350 Computer which is 5 years old (its getting old, noisy and cranky) and instead of buying a new PC, I thought I would like to upgrade and refresh the old PC to live up to today's standards, at least close enough and would like to start with getting a new motherboard.

I want to start here because the motherboard that the computer has right now will not allow me to upgrade it to a better graphics card and also will only go up to 1 GB in Memory.

Im also planning on doing some other upgrades but my question is this: What kind of Mother Board should I get for this PC? I want to have a motherboard that is compatible with this PC and one that will hold alot of memory and a good graphics card. Any suggestions? Thanks all.


The Description of the MotherBoard is:

Manufacturer Dell Computer Corporation
Name Base Board
Version A00

I would ask yourself what is it you want to save?

In changing out the motherboard you will most likely have to replace the CPU and RAM.

If you go to PCI_E graphics you probably need a new more powerful PSU.

So it is basically a question of why keep this old Dell case?

In my opinion you'd be best off starting from scratch.

lol yea I suppose I could start from scratch I just felt like maybe I could upgrade the computer and at the same time get some hands on learning since I like to learn how to use computers. I also like a challenge So you say that I have to change the CPU and RAM?

For every motherboard the most critical parts as far as compatibility are the CPU and RAM.

If you bought a new high end board for PCI_E graphics (especially SLI) you would need a compatible CPU and RAM.

I doubt that what is in that Dell would be compatible with a good new board.

If you limit yourself to your old CPU and RAM you will be limiting yourself to a motherboard quite similar to what you already have.

So I can get any motherboard for this pc? but if I do I then have to get a new CPU and RAM that can be compatible with the new motherboard?

I'd suggest reading the "Sticky" at the top of this forum:

http://uk.giga-byte.com/Support/Moth...?NewTechID=100

What I am suggesting is a new case for your new motherboard and new RAM and new CPU and new PCI_E graphics card. A new PSU as well plus you will need a new Operating System as the Dell XP will not transfer over.

You will then also have the old Dell to sell or give or use as a backup.

We can help you through the details of building a new system if you want.

My main point is/was there is not much you can upgrade on that Dell short of replacing it.


...

I understand what you mean, I'll try to do the extensive upgrade since I really can't buy a new computer right now, so I will try to buy the parts and "build" a new one little by little, and learn a few things along the way I really wasnt fazed until you suggested that I also have to change the OS! But if I do decide to go this route, I'll be posting more soon, Thanks.

That Dell XP was purchased with that Dell computer.

Retail versions of Windows XP can be transfered from hardware to hardware but only one key is allowed for one system.

If you upgrade you lose the previous license.

Be very careful of Vista here as Vista only allows one upgrade then you need to buy Vista all over again.

A main reason, as I am always upgrading, that I would never buy Vista.

Would I need a new CPU cooling Fan also?

Im gonna stick to XP for a little longer too, at least for a couple more years because I really do not like Vista either.