Can I upgrade the case for my Dell Inspiron 537s?

[ev4n32]

So I currently own a Dell Inspiron 537s Desktop slimline. I would like to get some more ventilation and room for a bigger graphics card and better power supply in the computer. Is it going to be possible to upgrade to a microATX or Mid Tower? If so how difficult will it be? The motherboard is the Dell 0U880P, so I am not sure whether the screw holes are different than what a normal case would have. Also if you can recommend a good case that would be great. Thanks.

 

[Outlander_04]

http://www.ascendtech.us/itemdesc.asp?ic=MBDEL775U880P&eq=&Tp=

looks like a standard m-ATX board , but its hard to b 100% sure .
It should mount in any case that can take m-ATX , or ATX

I doubt the power supply will be strong enough to power more than a bottom end , maybe midrange , graphics card and its might not be compatible with an m-ATX case .

On balance Id think building a new computer from scratch is a wiser choice

 

[tsnor]

Are these your 537's specs ?

Dell Inspiron 537s-002B
Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 (64-bit); 2.5GHz Intel Pentium Dual Core E5200; 4GB 800MHz DDR2 SDRAM; 32MB (shared) Intel GMA X4500 integrated graphics chip; 640GB 7,200rpm hard drive.

If so, you might want to start from a different base to make a gaming PC.

Staying in the same case you can use a low-profile Radeon 4650 with your 250 watt PSU. That should be a huge improvement, and it's cheap Was: $49.99, Now: $44.99, $24.99 with Rebate, Free Shipping http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150562


If you go to a new case you will also need a new power supply (case plus psu total $50 for junk, $100 for good stuff). Then you will need to do the work to fit the MB and attach the cases' external connectors to your MB. once you succeed you have a MB/cpu combo that will limit your performance enough that there's no point to get a good video card.

Starting instead with a refurbished system like this one HP Pavilion Elite HPE-510t Intel Core i5 2300 2.8GHz 6GB 1TB that will sell for $300 here: http://www.ubid.com/HP_Pavilion_Elite_HPE-510t_Intel_Core_i5_2300_2.8GHz_6GB_1TB/a603149749.html

or an i3-2100 barebones like this one here GIGABYTE GA-H61M-S2-B3 Core i3 Barebones Kit - GIGABYTE GA-H61M-S2-B3 Motherboard, Intel Core i3-2100 CPU, Patriot 8GB (2x 4GB) DDR3 RAM, Seagate 1TB HDD, 24x DVDRW, DiabloTek Mid-Tower Case, 450W PSU for $300 http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1101361&CatId=5205 gives you a workable starting point.

Also you can get sample builds from the new build forum that will give you other alternatives.

 

[ev4n32]

The specs:

Intel Core 2 Duo 2.93GHz; 3GB of RAM; Intel G41 Graphics (But I use a 8400 GS graphics card) and a 500GB hard drive.

As far as graphics cards go, I have been looking at this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102874

I figure changing the case will be too big of a hassle since it is all proprietary, I will go with a new build.

And how does uBid work? It says the highest bid is $4? I have never even heard of uBid before.

The barebone kits from TigerDirect look very appealing, I will definitely look into these.

Thanks for your help!

 

[tsnor]

You have a nicer CPU than I thought. That'll game.

The 8400 GS won't game (I have one in a HTPC in the bedroom). The 8400 GS came in two different technologies, one drew 38 watts, the other drew only 25. Most likely you have the 25 watt max unit.

Good choice on the 5570. It has TDP of 43 Watts or about 20 watts more than your current card. It should be fine with your 250 watt PSU and not put a strain on your case cooling. It can also game.

for grins, this is the older version of the 8400, you most likely have the newer.
http://www.hwcompare.com/266/geforce-8400-gs-512mb-vs-radeon-hd-5570/

 

[ev4n32]

Best answer selected by ev4n32.

 

[ev4n32]

Surprisingly I can run just about all the source powered games on full res, medium settings. I have had the 8400 GS (only 256mb) for a while and the fan doesn't work, so I have had the side off of my slimline tower with a box fan pointed towards it. It keeps it pretty cool. So hopefully with the 5570 the fan on the card will be enough to keep it cool without me cooling it with a box fan.