[SOLVED] Can I Upgrade the Motherboard on my Prebuilt Computer?

[Lonsol]

I have an old Dell Inspiron 620 I bought back in 2011. I was planning on upgrading the motherboard, RAM, and CPU. Would I be able to remove the OEM motherboard and replace it with a better one to accommodate the new RAM and CPU? I wanted to use my old computer tower to save money, but I can buy a new computer case if need be.

 

[Tigerhawk30]

I'd say probably not. It would seem that a good number of prebuilt vendors, at least in those days (and of my own experience) install(ed) custom motherboards and the placement on those cases vs your standard type case is different. When I tried to do that same thing you're wondering about on an older prebuilt of mine, I found that the USB/PS2 inputs were in a completely different location than your standard motherboard of today's build. I therefore had to go case shopping separately.

I'd say plan on looking at a case. Pretty much any modern case and motherboard are made to match locations for those ports so that it will be a universal fit.

Good luck!

 

[SkyNetRising]

Dell Inspiron 620 board is standard matx.
PSU connections - standard, fan headers - standard.
Only problem, you may have, is connecting front panel.

 

[Karadjgne]

Yes. You can upgrade. If you can get past several things, like needing a whole new registration for windows as the version you have now is tied to the Dell motherboard and absolutely not transferable.

As mentioned, there's also the front panel connectors, which with dells are proprietary, so you'll need to re-pin them seperately in order to fit the new mobo. Do not mess up the polarity or get wires crossed or you'll shut down the pc instead of blinking the hdd light. Etc.

There's also the psu mains and eps connectors, pray they line up, Dells have a bad habit of using 5 or 6pins or other oddball proprietary connectors there too.

Aftermarket stuff is pretty universal, it has to be to target the widest sales base, but Dell is Dell, so somethings will require adjustment, bit it can be made to work.

 

[Lonsol]

I'd say probably not. It would seem that a good number of prebuilt vendors, at least in those days (and of my own experience) install(ed) custom motherboards and the placement on those cases vs your standard type case is different. When I tried to do that same thing you're wondering about on an older prebuilt of mine, I found that the USB/PS2 inputs were in a completely different location than your standard motherboard of today's build. I therefore had to go case shopping separately.

I'd say plan on looking at a case. Pretty much any modern case and motherboard are made to match locations for those ports so that it will be a universal fit.

Good luck!

Good to know. I think I'll just buy a new case and build one from scratch. Thanks!