Hi JimC,

I fear your technician is not giving you good advice. Once you replace the motherboard, you've gone past the point where it would have been better to replace the entire system. First of all, it's nearly impossible to fit a non-Dell motherboard into a Dell case. So I would talk to your technician, explain what your budget is, and see if he or she can come up with a better plan.

To add to what Osprey said, assuming you could replace the motherboard in the 8400, you're also going to need a new copy of Windows. The Dell Windows Reinstallation CD will only install Windows on a system with a Dell motherboard.

Do you have the latest version (A09) of BIOS installed on this system? Did the tech give you a reason why you need a new motherboard, aside from the fact that he wants to sell you something else?

Ron

 jimbo1941

For the upgrades you have listed, I cannot see a reason to upgrade the motherboard.

There is not a Dell motherboard supporting Core 2 Duo, Pentium D or Quad Core processors available, that would fit into the 8400's obsolete ATX 'Clamshell' case.

If a non Dell motherboard is installed in a Dell 8400 case, it will not be a straight swap, as both Dell motherboards and cases have proprietary features.

Some of the problems with installing a standard ATX motherboard into a 8400 case, are listed below:

Dell uses a proprietary ribbon connector between the front panel and motherboard, whereas standard ATX cases use Molex style connectors, you'll have to figure out how to rewire the front control panel and USB ports, because Dell has never published the details of the pin-outs.

You will require a new CPU fan, heatsink and motherboard retention bracket, as Dell's are proprietary units.

As Dell's OEM copy of XP is tied to their BIOS, when a non-Dell motherboard is used, add the cost of buying a new retail, or OEM copy of XP to the upgrade.

Can a standard ATX motherboard be installed in a Dell case, yes, it can, but it will not be easy, or cheap and be prepared for a lot of aggro.

Better and easier to buy both a standard ATX case and motherboard and tranfer the reusable parts from the 8400, to the new case.  
 
Bev.

Ps. The Dimension 8400 was shipped with a 350w power supply, not a 300w

 

 

Hi Bev,

Thanks for the quick response and advice. I agree, the motherboard need not be replaced and I would not attempt to install a non-dell motherboard. As far as the power supply, yes my system presently has a 350W Power supply, my mistake. I have also upgraded my 19" monitor to a 24" Dell U2410 widescreen, to enable the max resolution of 1920 x 1200 I upgraded my graphics card to the Radeon HD4670.

Check my reply to OSPREY4 for more detailed info.

Thanks for your help and support

JimC

Hi Osprey4,

Thanks for the response and advice. First of all, Im wondering why I need to replace the motherboard at all. According to dell tech. support and other responses to my post, unless the mboard is damaged, which it isn't, it need not be replaced. I payed over $3200 dollars for this system almost six years ago, to replace it cost almost $3000 which is out of my price range at this stage. With the upgraded power supply, new cpu fan, heat sink assy, upgraded sound card and graphics cards I have approx. $350 dollars invested. If a new DELL motherboard replacement IS required for $200-$300, Im still ahead, cost wise.

Thanks again for your Help

JimC

PS: I would never attempt to have a non-Dell Motherboard installed, also, I upgraded my monitor to a Dell 24" U2410 Widescreen.

 

 

Ron,

Replacing the motherboard, if really needed, would be with an OEM DELL 8400 Motherboard. I have my orignal Windows XP Media Center Addition CD available if required. Im not sure about the latest version of BIOS, I assume it can be downloaded if necessary. The tech. tells me the system locks-up with the new upgraded cards are installed???, I wonder. according to Dell Tech. support and other responses to my post the motherboard should be OK. In any case, thanks for your quick response and support.

JimC

Note: See my response to OSPREY4 for more detail info.

Hi Bev, Thanks for the quick response and advice. I agree, the motherboard need not be replaced and I would not attempt to install a non-dell motherboard. As far as the power supply, yes my system presently has a 350W Power supply, my mistake. I have also upgraded my 19" monitor to a 24" Dell U2410 widescreen, to enable the max resolution of 1920 x 1200 I upgraded my graphics card to the Radeon HD4670. Check my reply to OSPREY4 for more detailed info. Thanks for your help and support JimC

If the board is locking up with the new cards, it may be due to incompatibilities. My suspicion would be the Xonar card.

A few months back, I bought an Avermedia tuner card and found to my dismay that it locked up my Vostro 220s. In a homebuilt HTPC, said card worked fine.

 

 

You did not give a lot of details as to what is in the original system that could still be used or what you use the system for but I got the system listed below about three months ago for less than $2000.

You might want to get another tech to take a look at things for you. It would seem that you have most, if not all, of the parts you need to put together a very nice system.

Jeff

I replaced my 5 year old 8400 today with a XPS 8100 for $.1,330 including CA tax., no monitor.

 

intel core i7-860 8mb 280 ghz

8gb ddr3 1333 mhz 4x2 gb

ATI RAD HD 5770

500GB ATA2 7200 RPM

That should do it!!!!!

Jeff