Dim8400

Have an 8400 from 2004, P4 etc and sitting idle. I am thinking of changing
the motherboard and get it up to speed.

Is this possible or are Dell motherboards and architecture proprietary?

Thanks
Bill

On May 16, 4:43*pm, "Bill" wrote:
Have an 8400 from 2004, P4 etc and sitting idle. I am thinking of changing
the motherboard and get it up to speed.

Is this possible or are Dell motherboards and architecture proprietary?

Thanks
Bill

I know they once were........whether "once were" relates to the 8400
(I had one, excellent machines, the RDRAM goes for quite a bit on eBay
these days) is a question for others more knowledgeable than I.

Bill wrote:
Have an 8400 from 2004, P4 etc and sitting idle. I am thinking of changing
the motherboard and get it up to speed.

Is this possible or are Dell motherboards and architecture proprietary?

Thanks
Bill


Dell's mobos are fully industry standard except for the front panel
cable, which
is proprietary. You'll have to scope those out yourself.

"Bill" wrote in message
.. .
Have an 8400 from 2004, P4 etc and sitting idle. I am thinking of changing
the motherboard and get it up to speed.

Is this possible or are Dell motherboards and architecture proprietary?

Thanks
Bill


You really don't want to do this upgrade, imo.

I'd either:

1) Sell the 8400 complete as is (or maybe with the hard disk(s) removed),
or.......

2) Spec out a new case, mobo CPU (and RAM if needed) and then move the
remaining components over from the 8400. You'll have to wipe the 8400 hard
disk or you'll need to buy a new/blank hard disk for the new board and fresh
Windows install.

3) I won't address the licensing/COA issues of installing Windows on the
newly created system.


Stew

"S.Lewis" wrote in message
.. .

"Bill" wrote in message
.. .
Have an 8400 from 2004, P4 etc and sitting idle. I am thinking of
changing the motherboard and get it up to speed.

Is this possible or are Dell motherboards and architecture proprietary?

Thanks
Bill


You really don't want to do this upgrade, imo.

I'd either:

1) Sell the 8400 complete as is (or maybe with the hard disk(s) removed),
or.......

2) Spec out a new case, mobo CPU (and RAM if needed) and then move the
remaining components over from the 8400. You'll have to wipe the 8400
hard disk or you'll need to buy a new/blank hard disk for the new board
and fresh Windows install.

3) I won't address the licensing/COA issues of installing Windows on the
newly created system.


Stew

Thanks for the all the replies...

too much headache for the cost. I have Win 7 RC on it playing around so I
can always get rid of it after the beta expires .

Bill

"Bill" wrote in message
.. .


"S.Lewis" wrote in message
.. .

"Bill" wrote in message
.. .
Have an 8400 from 2004, P4 etc and sitting idle. I am thinking of
changing the motherboard and get it up to speed.

Is this possible or are Dell motherboards and architecture proprietary?

Thanks
Bill


You really don't want to do this upgrade, imo.

I'd either:

1) Sell the 8400 complete as is (or maybe with the hard disk(s) removed),
or.......

2) Spec out a new case, mobo CPU (and RAM if needed) and then move the
remaining components over from the 8400. You'll have to wipe the 8400
hard disk or you'll need to buy a new/blank hard disk for the new board
and fresh Windows install.

3) I won't address the licensing/COA issues of installing Windows on the
newly created system.


Stew

Thanks for the all the replies...

too much headache for the cost. I have Win 7 RC on it playing around so I
can always get rid of it after the beta expires .

Bill



With enough RAM, that system should run Win 7 fine I would think. (*guessing
a minimum 128mb graphics card came in the machine).

I wouldn't discard or sell the system cheap. Check ebay if you want some
idea........

Bill wrote:
Have an 8400 from 2004, P4 etc and sitting idle. I am thinking of changing
the motherboard and get it up to speed.

Is this possible or are Dell motherboards and architecture proprietary?

Thanks
Bill



The Dell Dimension 8400 chassis is quite proprietary. There some small
possibility that the board from one of the newer Dell XPS series will
fit, but I hav not found a good match yet. Use the 8400 as is, maybe
with a memory upgrade... Ben Myers

wrote:
On May 16, 4:43 pm, "Bill" wrote:
Have an 8400 from 2004, P4 etc and sitting idle. I am thinking of changing
the motherboard and get it up to speed.

Is this possible or are Dell motherboards and architecture proprietary?

Thanks
Bill

I know they once were........whether "once were" relates to the 8400
(I had one, excellent machines, the RDRAM goes for quite a bit on eBay
these days) is a question for others more knowledgeable than I.

The 8400 does not use RDRAM. It uses DDR2. The 8200 and 8250 are the
RDRAM models... Ben Myers

Pen wrote:
Bill wrote:
Have an 8400 from 2004, P4 etc and sitting idle. I am thinking of
changing the motherboard and get it up to speed.

Is this possible or are Dell motherboards and architecture proprietary?

Thanks
Bill

Dell's mobos are fully industry standard except for the front panel
cable, which
is proprietary. You'll have to scope those out yourself.

Nope! Not the Dimension 8400. The motherboard has a special mounting
plate with integrated I/O panel.

The 2400, 3000, 1100 are close to standard... Ben Myers

"S.Lewis" wrote in message
.. .

"Bill" wrote in message
.. .


"S.Lewis" wrote in message
.. .

"Bill" wrote in message
.. .
Have an 8400 from 2004, P4 etc and sitting idle. I am thinking of
changing the motherboard and get it up to speed.

Is this possible or are Dell motherboards and architecture proprietary?

Thanks
Bill


You really don't want to do this upgrade, imo.

I'd either:

1) Sell the 8400 complete as is (or maybe with the hard disk(s)
removed), or.......

2) Spec out a new case, mobo CPU (and RAM if needed) and then move the
remaining components over from the 8400. You'll have to wipe the 8400
hard disk or you'll need to buy a new/blank hard disk for the new board
and fresh Windows install.

3) I won't address the licensing/COA issues of installing Windows on the
newly created system.


Stew

Thanks for the all the replies...

too much headache for the cost. I have Win 7 RC on it playing around so I
can always get rid of it after the beta expires .

Bill



With enough RAM, that system should run Win 7 fine I would think.
(*guessing a minimum 128mb graphics card came in the machine).

I wouldn't discard or sell the system cheap. Check ebay if you want some
idea........


Yes it runs Win 7 quite well. I have 2GB RAM and an ATI X700256 pro I think.
Bill