hey guys. anyway, I have a dell 4550 dimension computer. that is how it started out anyway. Since I got it, I have added an audigy 2 platinum card, an nvidia 5950 card, 1 gig of ram, a wireless router pci card, dvd burner etc., etc. anyway. My case sucks and it just cant be keeping all my crap cool. I was wondering if I can just buy a new case and transfer all my hardware into it. Is it that easy?? I want something that obviously looks cooler, and keeps all my hardware NICE and COOL.

Yes, you should be able to. However, you'll have to keep the same PSU as the one you're currently using as dell uses some proprietary crap.

well, eventually I will be getting rid of that mobo for another and another processor and power supply and all that. but I figure, I have good addons in there right now. If I put it all in a good case, I can just swap out the mobo and stuff later on.

Nice way to do it -- the piece-by-piece approach at least feels like it hurts the wallet less.

For optimum cooling power, you might look into getting an aluminum case. Also, some of the name-brand ones offer nice features that you might not get with the less expensive flashy ones, such as a slide-out motherboard tray, built-in wiring management, better build quality (with fewer sharp edges inside), or even ready availability of replacement parts like drive bay covers.

Although it's tempting to load everything into the new case the day you get it, that's actually the perfect opportunity to mod it. Once the components are all in, you can't cut up the case much (except the door or maybe front bezel). For instance, my fiancee's PC has spots on the front & back to mount fans, but the hole pattern for the air to get through is so badly designed that it blocks most of the air (I honestly thought I'd put the exhaust fan in backwards at first). I'd love to Dremel it out and use a wire grille instead, but I'd have to take the motherboard, PSU, drives, etc. out first.

Good luck! Sounds like you got quite the system going already.

just make sure you get a case you'll be completely satisfied with. don't do what I did and go "oooh, this one's big. I'm a big guy, I won't mind lugging it around" and then tear a big chunk out of someone's drywall at his lan party because the case is too big to turn around the staircase. Go with something that suits you. Also, Don't buy something just because it's really cheap. Cheap cases can be fine, but i've had some bad experiences with them. My current case is a cheap aluminum thing, but I've had to tear out the screwless bay dohickeys and drill holes (they weren't holding the drives in), cut 3 new fan holes, and mount the hard drives in the top 5.25" bays because they were overheating in the hard drive slots. You get what you pay for, up to a certain extent.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news.

I'm a computer technician, and I work on Dells a lot. Their motherboard mounting means that without SERIOUS modification, you're not gonna get it to fit a regular cse properly. Improperly, maybe, but not the right way.

That said, the only thing you'll be able to take will probably be the processor w heatsink, and whatever you've put in it. They're getting so proprietary these days we just about don't want to work on them...

Quote: Originally Posted by jcarkeys Yes, you should be able to. However, you'll have to keep the same PSU as the one you're currently using as dell uses some proprietary crap.

Some are not proprietary,and are able to use a standard atx PSU. But do some research first to make sure.I know the Dimension 8200 series can use a standard ATX power supply but it will not mount in their cases without modification.

Your motherboard may not fit in a standard ATX case as well,a lot of Dell mobos have proprietary mounting holes.You could modify the tray with new holes if so.

If you do find a case you like, look for detailed reviews for that case. You will most likely find pics of the mobo tray to tell if it has multiple mounting holes or if it is modifiable.

A good reviewer will take a pic of the tray to show is mountings.

f all that modification crap. before I start modifying, I'll just get another mother board! CRAP! trying not to spend money. dammit, can't .....stop! While I'm at it, Might as will get new power supply, mobo, processor, memory. s-h-i-t- has anybody ever done what I am proposing, or know of any case that I can just buy, and transfer hardware. not trying to modify anything just yet. basically, I only want to change the case for now because I'm sure that it is way to hot inside that case for what I have. Should I just say F it and buy a water cooling system? I saw a Koolance exos for like 200 bucks. kinda scary though. 1 leak and kiss all your **** goodbye.

Thats becasuse Dell sucks. Sorry man, its ok, a job is a job, but I don't think its right to play a company $2000 for something you can build for $800 and outperform it. But thats me, everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

if you're going to get a new case, mobo, and psu then why don't you just look into a barebones pc. somethin like the sff shuttles. my friend has one and it's pretty bad ass. plus they're not really very loud for the most part. i'm not sure how much room would be left for your vid card specifically in a shuttle but it sounds like a barebones is what you're lookin for