Need a stable P4 board for the in-laws

TruckStuff · Post by **TruckStuff** » Mon Oct 28, 2002 7:38 pm

The hard drive on my in-law's Dell is shot and they want me to replace their computer. I told them I could salvage some parts out of the Dell and save them some money. I need a solid, stable motherboard for a P4 1.3GHz. According to WCPUID, its got a 400MHz system bus. Any recommendations? Thanks.

Also, I will be getting them a replacement hard drive. If anyone has anything against a Maxtor 40gb, please say so.

PreDatoR · Post by **PreDatoR** » Mon Oct 28, 2002 8:47 pm

That sounds like a Celeron 1.3 Gig... I thought P4's started at 1.5 gig with the old socket 423 or whatever. Find out what socket it is... 423 or 478? They change their stuff too much...

Jim Z · Post by **Jim Z** » Mon Oct 28, 2002 8:52 pm

P4s did indeed start at 1.5 GHz, but 1.3 and 1.4 were added soon after launch. The 1.3 is socket 423.

Look for an Intel D850GB, there should still be a few around. Can't get much more stable than that.

you won't be able to reuse the Dell case or power supply, but everything else should carry over.

edit: here ya go, compgeeks has a refurb D850GB for $40.

But hell, I've gotta ask, why replace the whole computer? Just toss a 2 GHz Willamette in there, add some more RAM, and replace the hard drive.

TruckStuff · Post by **TruckStuff** » Mon Oct 28, 2002 9:10 pm

But hell, I've gotta ask, why replace the whole computer? Just toss a 2 GHz Willamette in there, add some more RAM, and replace the hard drive.

You ever tried working with a Dell before? Everything in there is hardwired to keep you from doing upgrades like that. OK, its more Microsoft than Dell, but you get the idea.

It is a socket 423 chip. Family 15, Stepping 7. 100MHz bus with a multiplier of 13. I would like to avoid anything refurbed since it is going to be 100 miles away and I will get the tech calls anytime something goes bad.

Has Dell changed their power supplies recently? Every Dell I have worked with in the past has been standard as far as case and PS are concerned.

Jim Z · Post by **Jim Z** » Mon Oct 28, 2002 9:45 pm

You ever tried working with a Dell before?

I've owned 3 and worked with about a dozen.

Everything in there is hardwired to keep you from doing upgrades like that.

Bull.

Has Dell changed their power supplies recently?

every Dell I've touched since the Pentium 166 has had a non-standard wired power supply. The connectors are the same but the pinouts are different.

Every Dell I have worked with in the past has been standard as far as case and PS are concerned.

They look the same, but they are not.

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Mon Oct 28, 2002 10:08 pm

SILLY QUESTION: If it's a P4 mobo the computer is probably less than a year old, right? If so it's still under warranty. All Dells have one year AT HOME service. They'll come to your door and swap the drive and mobo.

They won't copy your data - all they'll do is do a system restore back to the factory install. But if you request it, they'll leave the old drive with a credit card guarantee and you can ship it to them later.

Dell power supplies use a different pin-out that standard ATX PSUs. Don't plug it into a standard mobo or you'll fry it. Someone posted a pinout onm these forums a week ago.

TruckStuff · Post by **TruckStuff** » Tue Oct 29, 2002 9:19 am

This computer is actually a replacement system with a second hard drive (first one died). It is out of warranty per Dell, so they at least need a new hard drive. They are tired of dealing with crappy Dell components and want a stable system. Now can someone PLEASE GIVE ME A MOTHERBOARD RECOMMENDATION??

Jim Z · Post by **Jim Z** » Tue Oct 29, 2002 10:35 am

Like I said, get a D850GB. You don't have to get a refurb if it makes you nervous, there are a few new ones floating around out there.