motherboard question

[KDog35]

I'm having the hardest time figuring out WHAT motherboard I have AND if I can even upgrade. I have a Dell diminsion 4100 series w/1.1 CPU. I wish to upgrade to a new MB with the AMD64 processor. I called Dell and they don't have an upgrade. I talked with BestBuy and they said Dell is very specialized in their motherboards and probably won't be able to find an upgrade for my computer. How can I know for sure what to buy? I can't believe this has been such a task!

thanks in advance for your replies, Kdog

[D34N]

If I remember correctly some(or all?) dell computer have motherboards that can't be removed. Dell wont be able to help you out because they are in cahoots with Intel. You are probably going to have to get a new computer, Remember if you get a socket 754 CPU then you need a socket 754 MB, if you get a socket 939, then get a socket 939 motherboard.

If you are an American then you should use Newegg to get your parts.

[KDog35]

Oh wish I have known that before I bought a Dell. I purposely bought a NON-integraded system so I could upgrade.

If this is the case, what is the most commonly used computer chasis (tower) used where you can replace any part? Is there model numbers..?? I can't believe this. No more Dell for me.

I'm not sure what "sockets" are. Is that listed somewhere on the motherboard?? Will that 3 digit number give me the correct size of the motherboard?

[D34N]

I can't really say on the case, I guess it depends on how you like your cases to look.

It should say the Socket right on the website.. on which ever one you buy from AMD 64 3400+ Socket 754

Gigabyte socket 754 motherboard

[KDog35]

Well, I guess I can't buy a motherboard if it won't fit in the Dell. Choosing any Ol' case for the looks is difinately not important, but the most common is.

I'll have to find a computer store around town that builds custom computers. This sucks!

[D34N]

Quote[/b] ]Well, I guess I can't buy a motherboard if it won't fit in the Dell. Choosing any Ol' case for the looks is difinately not important, but the most common is.

Commonality is not important, functionality is.

Quote[/b] ]I'll have to find a computer store around town that builds custom computers. This sucks!

If you live in America see if you can by the parts from newegg and ask your local computer guy to put it together. More than likel would save you $$$

[Stonedge]

Just go to a shop and they can tell you what you can buy for your money.
Point out to them what you want to do with your computer and if they're any good you'll go home happy.
You'll learn more about a Motherboards, CPU's, memory, bus speed, HT,... when you start upgrading it yourself.

[KDog35]

thanks guys.

[NZXSHADOWS]

Have you Thought about getting a Bare-Bones kit?Since you can use some of the parts from your Dell.In that kit.

[KDog35]

No. I'm very new at this and even trying to learn the terminology. I have no clue what BUS speed is and what it speeds up..? I just want a new computer that I can upgrade anything with the most available parts. Also didn't know there's different types of DDR ram, what's the best?