Dell inspiron 620s Mobo reuse?

[johnnywycliffe]

I would like to reuse as much from my dell inspiron 620s as possible since I am upgrading my PC with a decent graphics card.

I was told that I could reuse most of it if my motherboard is compatible with any cases that I could use.

I checked online, and found out that there are so many connections, I couldn't figure out what the hell I was doing.

ftp://ftp.dell.com/Manuals/all-products/esuprt_desktop/esuprt_inspiron_desktop/inspiron-620_service%20manual_en-us.pdf

On page 43, It has a diagram of my current Motherboard.

I was comparing it to this http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/SABERTOOTH_Z77/

To my eyes, it looks like it has the same connectors for the front usb ports, the same 24 pin power connecter, and correct processor socket. I couldn't figure out the power switch though.

Basically, I want to know if the dell board would be able to connect to a case other than it's original.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me!

 

[cin19]

I know the old Dell use the BTX boards, but now I don't know dell still use it or not because the BTX retail products by Intel was canceled in September 2006. You can contact them or try to find out yourself online first. Or try to measure the mounting holes to make sure that they are ATX standard and also the front panel connectors, because the standard atx cases have the separate connectors for HDD, power, reset button, etc.

 

[Kisianik]

The easy answer is yes.
Ellaborate answer. Your motherboard is of miniATX design and will fit into any ATX (current standard) case, any power supply with 4 pin ancillary power connector (could be 8 pin breakable onto two 4 pin), 20+4 or 24 pin main motherboard power connector and at least 4 SATA power connectors.

I would encourage to stay away from any store branded and surprisingly cheap power supplies, there is no magic sale here - very cheap = very shitty!

Anything else I can help you with?

[/list]

 

[Kisianik]

I know the old Dell use the BTX boards, but now I don't know dell still use it or not because the BTX retail products by Intel was canceled in September 2006. You can contact them or try to find out yourself online first. Or try to measure the mounting holes to make sure that they are ATX standard and also the front panel connectors, because the standard atx cases have the separate connectors for HDD, power, reset button, etc.

You don't have to measure anything to determine BTX design, just open side panel of the case and look inside, if power supply is in upper right corner you definatly have BTX design here.
However, all Inspiron motherboards are ATX, all last couple years XPS, Vostro and Optiplex are already ATX.
Most of old Optiplexes, almost all Dimensions are BTX, and so on.

 

[johnnywycliffe]

Thank you both! You just saved me a lot of money.

I was considering this PSU http://pcpartpicker.com/part/antec-power-supply-ea380dgreen
It meets my power requirements, and hooks up properly (uses atx12v, the four pin auxiliary).

Honestly, the biggest problem for me was the power switch connector. If it will work, I'm pretty sure I'm fine with the other parts.

And I checked the board, it's definintly ATX, not BTX

 

[Kisianik]

I know the old Dell use the BTX boards, but now I don't know dell still use it or not because the BTX retail products by Intel was canceled in September 2006. You can contact them or try to find out yourself online first. Or try to measure the mounting holes to make sure that they are ATX standard and also the front panel connectors, because the standard atx cases have the separate connectors for HDD, power, reset button, etc.

You don't have to measure anything to determine BTX design, just open side panel of the case and look inside, if power supply is in upper right corner you definatly have BTX design here.
However, all Inspiron motherboards are ATX, all last couple years XPS, Vostro and Optiplex are already ATX.
Most of old Optiplexes, almost all Dimensions are BTX, and so on.

 

[Kisianik]

It is not over due to power button connection - it is almost impossible to describe this without posting pictures and I would not be able to do this until Sunday or Monday.
It is all possible, just a headache. When you get a case or will think about buying one, make a new post and PM me a link, I would gladly help you. I changed my Inspiron 570 case by myself, with some help it is much easier. Just get ready to setup image hosting account - a few pictures might be required from you.
One question - why do you need so small power supply?

 

[johnnywycliffe]

Small? I don't really know what scale 380 watts is.
Would a 450 watt one be sufficient? Or should I go higher?

I have this list compiled.
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/ZHE9

 

[Kisianik]

Small? I don't really know what scale 380 watts is.
Would a 450 watt one be sufficient? Or should I go higher?

I have this list compiled.
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/ZHE9

All nice, but minimum power requirement for GTX660 is 450 watt, so to add at least 50 watt just in case and considering not big case, so modular PSU is more preferable - Corsair CX500M http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139050 looks good to me, 3 more days for rebate, looks appetizing.

 

[johnnywycliffe]

Alright! thank you very much for all of your help!

 

[Kisianik]

You welcome, more questions later - ask.

 

[Kisianik]

This is your picture posting here for convenience

It is looks like mine. By the way, have you change the case? Which one you have, model please.

I have new developments, let me connect you with Inspiron 570 post which looks like has the same connector.

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/desktop/f/3514/p/19501816/20390007.aspx#20390007

Check wire colors, does it look the same?

This is my

Is your motherboard connector looks the same?

 

[johnnywycliffe]

Yeah, it's exactly the same. brown-white-red on one side, Blue/black-black-yellow on the other. Yellow and black are the only two cables that reach the HDD light, so I'm pretty sure it functions the same way.

Edit:
The case in an antec three hundred illusion.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066&Tpk=antec%20three%20hundred%20illusion&IsVirtualParent=1

 

[Kisianik]

Now, basically using my picture just plug new case wires in, forget about reset - this is it.
Report back if you run into any issues.

 

[johnnywycliffe]

Thanks so much for your help.
Computer boots properly, and with my shiny new graphics card inside, I can play game faster than 25 FPS!
Thank you so much for your ongoing help.

 

[Kisianik]

You welcome.