Can I put my PC slimline Dell tower components into a regular tower and upgrade parts

H

honestabe

Happy as hell :D
Jan 15, 2006
3,713
0
0
38
Mount Vernon, WA, USA
www.cardomain.com
I have a 4 1/2 year old Dell XPS 200 computer that's a slimline tower. I want to upgrade my computer so it's more capable and up-to date, but my current tower won't let me. Is it possible to transplant the tower components into a regular mid-tower and then upgrade individual components (HD, PSU, motherboard, etc...)? Thanks guys :)

Adam
 
Last edited:
GrimJack

GrimJack

Administrator
Dec 31, 1969
12,377
3
38
56
Richmond, BC, Canada
idriders.com
Probably not. Most of those slim setups use oddball bits - motherboard, daughter cards, and the like. Possibly the CD / DVD as well, although those are damn cheap, so you could just throw it out.

You might be able to MAKE it fit... but it's not going to be plug and play.
 
mkiii222

mkiii222

Member
Mar 31, 2005
697
0
16
Troy, MI
The XPS 200 series uses 'slim' drives so those are a no go.
DDR2 400 or 533 memory, so you'd want to upgrade that anyways.
Pentium 4 or Pentium/Celeron D, definitely time for an upgrade.

Overall if you're looking to upgrade anyways you may as well sell the XPS to someone or use it as a 2nd PC.

You can start a fresh build for around $4-500 and add extra memory and a better (non-integrated) GPU later.
Just did a newegg build w/ CoolerMaster case/PSU, Gigabyte H57 USB 3.0 MB, Intel i540, 2GB Mushkin DDR3, 1TB WD Black HDD, and a DVD burner for $490 shipped.
 
C

Cz.

CAR > FAMILY
Mar 31, 2005
324
0
0
Seattle, WA
I don't know anything about the xps you're referring to, but usually there is a specific form factor that components such as the motherboard are made for. In most cases it is ATX, and I think there are other variations such as ATX-mini, etc. If the Dell uses the same form factor it should bolt in fine.
If you're planning on changing the motherboard, I would make sure that the old components are compatible, ie ram, otherwise there may be no point at all in worrying about what's in the dell and you'd be better off selling it and getting new parts. You're not going to be able to just setup a computer with new hardware and then plug in your old hardrive and expect it to work.
I haven't built a computer for a several years so this info may not be so accurate now.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom