Crashed Dell, Cannibalizing for "new" build.

Gryffs · 09-07-2009, 01:07 PM

This started in the thread here but to make a long story short, I had a motherboard go down on my Dell 710. So, since Dell motherboards are proprietary and I don't want to replace one bad motherboard with another (seeing the track record for the 700 series motherboards). I am going to cannibalize what parts I can from my old system and build a new one.

This will be my first time building so I am making a list of items I plan on using in the new system and would like to get feedback on choices and compatibility.

The computer will be used for school and games so its main focus will be Microsoft Office Applications, RTS like WC3, AoE, and StarCraft 2 (when that comes out) and World of Warcraft.

What I'm looking at running (I based this off the sticky for new systems):

Case: Coolermaster 690 $59.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119137

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P $134.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128358 (replace the one that went down)

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6700 Conroe 2.66GHz 4M shared L2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115002 (Cannibalized from my old system)

Ram: Corsair 4gb (2x2gb) ddr2 1066 $73.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145214 (to go with my new mobo and switching to 64bit)

CPU Cooler: this item I'm not sure if I need. Can I Cannibalize the one from my old system or should I look to replace?

Power Supply: Corsair 850TX $149.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...9009&Tpk=850tx

Video Card: GeForce 7950GX2 1GB 512-bit (256-bit x2) GDDR3 PCI Express
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16814150160 (Cannibalized from my old system)

Hard Drive: Seagate 640gb $69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148335 (will pick up a new one for my new OS)

DVD Burner: Cannibalize from my old system.

Operating System: Vista Home Premium 64 $99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116488 (will upgrade to this)

So, here it is in all its splendid glory... Some questions I have. Can I use 64 bit with this old cpu? Is this old cpu worth keeping? Will all of these items be compatible?

Thanks for the input.

**wrench97** · 09-07-2009, 02:01 PM

The E6700 is still quite capable and is a 64bit cpu, with the new board you'll be able to overclock it if needed.

The Dell cooler is a little funky I would replace it.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835186134

The build looks good, nice choices.

Gryffs · 09-07-2009, 05:33 PM

Possible issue with the mobo. I was reading in the customer comments and read that the board does not support SLI and with my Video Card, I assume that would be an issue.
Am I correct with this observation? Any suggestions for a comparable replacement?

Thanks again.

Phædrus2401 · 09-07-2009, 05:35 PM

No, SLI only applies to two separate cards. The 7950X2 doesn't require SLI. Besides, SLI motherboards tend to be buggy when paired with Intel CPUs.

Gryffs · 09-07-2009, 05:40 PM

Thanks for the fast response and for the info. I'm dieing to get this stuff ordered and in the shipping que.

7toy9 · 10-29-2009, 09:13 PM

Gryffs - best of luck on your new build. I too experienced a motherboard failure on my XPS 710 and share your frustration (and likely never will purchase a dell product again).

I have decided to follow a similar route and cannibalize all available parts from my existing system (detailed below):

QX6700 3.2ghz Core 2 Extreme (reusing)
2x 8800 GTX in SLI (reusing)
1 KW power supply (can i reuse? why not?)
4GB DDR2 667 (selling and upgrading to DD3 1333)
500GB WD Barracuda (reuse)
150GB WD serial ATA/150 hard drives (RAID 0) (reuse)

I am replacing my motherboard with a new XFX 790i Ultra (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813141009) and a new Coolmaster Case (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119160).

I welcome any thoughts - particularly regarding my power supply. I feel that I have spent enough already, and would love to reuse the power supply if possible!

Phædrus2401 · 10-29-2009, 09:17 PM

Depends. What's the make and model of the power supply?

7toy9 · 10-29-2009, 09:20 PM

Thanks for the help! Link to the power supply.

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/c...&mfgpid=190542

And it looks like this:
https://accounts.craigslist.org/post...42382957&db=lv

Phædrus2401 · 10-29-2009, 09:35 PM

There's no useful information on it--efficiency, +12V current, protections, anything. Could you look at the power supply itself and list the current ratings under the +12V rail(s)? +5V and +3.3V aren't important in this case.

7toy9 · 10-29-2009, 09:45 PM

Sure - updated the above link to include a more detailed picture. Also, probably a slightly clearer link here:

Phædrus2401 · 10-29-2009, 09:48 PM

I don't have a Craigslist account. You can attach the picture to your next post; the options are at the bottom of the posting screen.

7toy9 · 10-29-2009, 09:50 PM

sorry, new to this!

Also, am I opening up a can of worms for the XFX 790i motherboard? I don't plan to overclock or anything...just want it to run what I have well.

**wrench97** · 10-30-2009, 01:49 AM

Big can of worms with that board.

This is a Dell XPS 710 Correct?

The power supply has non standard connections the board is powered by a 24 pin and a 20 pin so it won't work with a standard retail board.

http://support.dell.com/support/edoc....htm#wp1052309

7toy9 · 10-30-2009, 06:29 AM

Wrench, thanks for your thoughts. Really frustrated that so much good equipment is not compatible. This Dell was probably the worst expenditure I've ever had (yes, was an XPS 710).

What motherboard would you suggest? I already have a set of 8GB DDR3 1333 Corsair XMS memory (so ideally the new motherboard would work with it and my coolmaster case). I am more concerned with stability at this point vs. overclocking flexibility, etc.

The motherboard also would hopefully work with my 8800GTX SLI setup.

Crap, also I guess I need a new power supply......I'm so lost. I should have just sold everything and bought a new computer.

**wrench97** · 10-30-2009, 06:36 AM

For SLI in a socket 775 board it has to be the Nvidia chipset.
The 1156(i5.i7) or 1366(i7 9xx) boards are Intel chipsets and SLI but would require a new CPU.

Do you know the part number of the Corsair Ram?

What CPU do you currently have?

7toy9 · 10-30-2009, 06:40 AM

I currently have a QX6700 2.66 ghz (was overclocked by dell to 3.2ghz)
sure, ram is here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145218
I didn't think an i5 or i7 chipset would work with my processor and other equipment...

**Tyree** · 10-30-2009, 07:18 AM

Please post the hardware you have some know what you're dealing with.
Do yourself a BIG favor and stay away from XFX or any other Nvidia chipped Mobo. Asus & Gigabyte are quality brands with good support.

**wrench97** · 10-30-2009, 07:55 AM

The QX6700 will not that's what I said, The ram you have is for the lower voltage i5 boards(1.6v) are you currently running it on your board(1.8v)?

I would not upgrade from a QX6700 to a i5 or i7 the difference is not worth the cost.

I would use either a P5Q Turbo or GA EP45 DQ6 and a single 8800GTX video card or xfire 2 ATI HD58xx cards.

I'm going to look into the ram a little more to see what is compatible with later when I get home.

7toy9 · 10-30-2009, 08:24 AM

Ok - just to clear things up, my old setup included these parts:

http://reviews.cnet.com/Dell_XPS_710...-32305739.html
QX6700 3.2ghz Core 2 Extreme
2x 8800 GTX in SLI
Dell 710 H2C Case (you can see in the above link)
nForce 590i BTX mobo
4GB of 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM
1 KW power supply (http://support.dell.com/support/edoc....htm#wp1052309 )
500GB WD Barracuda
150GB WD serial ATA/150 hard drives (RAID 0)

Items I have purchased this week to replace my existing system:

Case: COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119160)

RAM: CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TW3X4G1333C9 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145218)

Motherboard: XFX MBN790IUL9 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 790i Ultra SLI ATX Intel Motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813141009) - a little concerned I can't return this...

Cooler: ZALMAN CNPS9500 AT 2 Ball CPU Cooling Fan/Heatsink and ZALMAN ZM-CS4A Socket 1366 Clip Support Kit for CNPS9500/9700 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835118003)

As you can see - I have spent a fair amount of money already. I was expecting to spend a decent amount of money but beyond just fixing my motherboard issue, I was hoping to upgrade my system somewhat.

All thoughts appreciated. You guys are rockstars and I really, really appreciate the help. I was suckered into paying dell $50 bucks for technical support and ended up buying an extra power supply that I didn't need (and apparently won't fit with any of the new motherboards). On a side note: if anyone needs one of those 1KW power supplies, let me know.

**wrench97** · 10-30-2009, 11:19 AM

Since you already have the components go ahead and build it on the bench see what you have the ram is on the support list for the XFX board http://www.corsair.com/configurator/...aspx?id=527164 but would not have been my first choice it's 1.5v so may limit the over clock a tad.
Are short a power supply for the new setup I take it?
Can you return the new Dell supply?

09-07-2009, 01:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
Gryffs Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 20 OS: Vista64	Crashed Dell, Cannibalizing for "new" build. This started in the thread here but to make a long story short, I had a motherboard go down on my Dell 710. So, since Dell motherboards are proprietary and I don't want to replace one bad motherboard with another (seeing the track record for the 700 series motherboards). I am going to cannibalize what parts I can from my old system and build a new one. This will be my first time building so I am making a list of items I plan on using in the new system and would like to get feedback on choices and compatibility. The computer will be used for school and games so its main focus will be Microsoft Office Applications, RTS like WC3, AoE, and StarCraft 2 (when that comes out) and World of Warcraft. What I'm looking at running (I based this off the sticky for new systems): Case: Coolermaster 690 $59.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119137 Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P $134.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128358 (replace the one that went down) Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6700 Conroe 2.66GHz 4M shared L2 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115002 (Cannibalized from my old system) Ram: Corsair 4gb (2x2gb) ddr2 1066 $73.00 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145214 (to go with my new mobo and switching to 64bit) CPU Cooler: this item I'm not sure if I need. Can I Cannibalize the one from my old system or should I look to replace? Power Supply: Corsair 850TX $149.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...9009&Tpk=850tx Video Card: GeForce 7950GX2 1GB 512-bit (256-bit x2) GDDR3 PCI Express http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16814150160 (Cannibalized from my old system) Hard Drive: Seagate 640gb $69.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148335 (will pick up a new one for my new OS) DVD Burner: Cannibalize from my old system. Operating System: Vista Home Premium 64 $99.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116488 (will upgrade to this) So, here it is in all its splendid glory... Some questions I have. Can I use 64 bit with this old cpu? Is this old cpu worth keeping? Will all of these items be compatible? Thanks for the input. Last edited by Gryffs; 09-07-2009 at 01:21 PM.

09-07-2009, 02:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,389 OS: Win7	Re: Crashed Dell, Cannibalizing for "new" build. The E6700 is still quite capable and is a 64bit cpu, with the new board you'll be able to overclock it if needed. The Dell cooler is a little funky I would replace it. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835186134 The build looks good, nice choices. __________________ Power Supply and Selection

09-07-2009, 05:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
Gryffs Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 20 OS: Vista64	Re: Crashed Dell, Cannibalizing for "new" build. Possible issue with the mobo. I was reading in the customer comments and read that the board does not support SLI and with my Video Card, I assume that would be an issue. Am I correct with this observation? Any suggestions for a comparable replacement? Thanks again.

09-07-2009, 05:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,730 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Crashed Dell, Cannibalizing for "new" build. No, SLI only applies to two separate cards. The 7950X2 doesn't require SLI. Besides, SLI motherboards tend to be buggy when paired with Intel CPUs. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

09-07-2009, 05:40 PM	#5 (permalink)
Gryffs Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 20 OS: Vista64	Re: Crashed Dell, Cannibalizing for "new" build. Thanks for the fast response and for the info. I'm dieing to get this stuff ordered and in the shipping que.

10-29-2009, 09:13 PM	#6 (permalink)
7toy9 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 10 OS: vista 64	Re: Crashed Dell, Cannibalizing for "new" build. Gryffs - best of luck on your new build. I too experienced a motherboard failure on my XPS 710 and share your frustration (and likely never will purchase a dell product again). I have decided to follow a similar route and cannibalize all available parts from my existing system (detailed below): QX6700 3.2ghz Core 2 Extreme (reusing) 2x 8800 GTX in SLI (reusing) 1 KW power supply (can i reuse? why not?) 4GB DDR2 667 (selling and upgrading to DD3 1333) 500GB WD Barracuda (reuse) 150GB WD serial ATA/150 hard drives (RAID 0) (reuse) I am replacing my motherboard with a new XFX 790i Ultra (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813141009) and a new Coolmaster Case (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119160). I welcome any thoughts - particularly regarding my power supply. I feel that I have spent enough already, and would love to reuse the power supply if possible!

10-29-2009, 09:17 PM	#7 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,730 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Crashed Dell, Cannibalizing for "new" build. Depends. What's the make and model of the power supply? __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

10-29-2009, 09:20 PM	#8 (permalink)
7toy9 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 10 OS: vista 64	Re: Crashed Dell, Cannibalizing for "new" build. Thanks for the help! Link to the power supply. http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/c...&mfgpid=190542 And it looks like this: https://accounts.craigslist.org/post...42382957&db=lv Last edited by 7toy9; 10-29-2009 at 09:23 PM.

10-29-2009, 09:35 PM	#9 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,730 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Crashed Dell, Cannibalizing for "new" build. There's no useful information on it--efficiency, +12V current, protections, anything. Could you look at the power supply itself and list the current ratings under the +12V rail(s)? +5V and +3.3V aren't important in this case. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

10-29-2009, 09:45 PM	#10 (permalink)
7toy9 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 10 OS: vista 64	Re: Crashed Dell, Cannibalizing for "new" build. Sure - updated the above link to include a more detailed picture. Also, probably a slightly clearer link here: Last edited by 7toy9; 10-29-2009 at 09:50 PM.

10-29-2009, 09:48 PM	#11 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,730 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Crashed Dell, Cannibalizing for "new" build. I don't have a Craigslist account. You can attach the picture to your next post; the options are at the bottom of the posting screen. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

10-29-2009, 09:50 PM	#12 (permalink)
7toy9 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 10 OS: vista 64	Re: Crashed Dell, Cannibalizing for "new" build. sorry, new to this! Also, am I opening up a can of worms for the XFX 790i motherboard? I don't plan to overclock or anything...just want it to run what I have well. Last edited by 7toy9; 10-29-2009 at 09:52 PM.

10-30-2009, 01:49 AM	#13 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,389 OS: Win7	Re: Crashed Dell, Cannibalizing for "new" build. Big can of worms with that board. This is a Dell XPS 710 Correct? The power supply has non standard connections the board is powered by a 24 pin and a 20 pin so it won't work with a standard retail board. http://support.dell.com/support/edoc....htm#wp1052309 __________________ Power Supply and Selection Last edited by wrench97; 10-30-2009 at 01:50 AM.

10-30-2009, 06:29 AM	#14 (permalink)
7toy9 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 10 OS: vista 64	Re: Crashed Dell, Cannibalizing for "new" build. Wrench, thanks for your thoughts. Really frustrated that so much good equipment is not compatible. This Dell was probably the worst expenditure I've ever had (yes, was an XPS 710). What motherboard would you suggest? I already have a set of 8GB DDR3 1333 Corsair XMS memory (so ideally the new motherboard would work with it and my coolmaster case). I am more concerned with stability at this point vs. overclocking flexibility, etc. The motherboard also would hopefully work with my 8800GTX SLI setup. Crap, also I guess I need a new power supply......I'm so lost. I should have just sold everything and bought a new computer. Last edited by 7toy9; 10-30-2009 at 06:30 AM.

10-30-2009, 06:36 AM	#15 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,389 OS: Win7	Re: Crashed Dell, Cannibalizing for "new" build. For SLI in a socket 775 board it has to be the Nvidia chipset. The 1156(i5.i7) or 1366(i7 9xx) boards are Intel chipsets and SLI but would require a new CPU. Do you know the part number of the Corsair Ram? What CPU do you currently have? __________________ Power Supply and Selection

10-30-2009, 06:40 AM	#16 (permalink)
7toy9 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 10 OS: vista 64	Re: Crashed Dell, Cannibalizing for "new" build. I currently have a QX6700 2.66 ghz (was overclocked by dell to 3.2ghz) sure, ram is here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145218 I didn't think an i5 or i7 chipset would work with my processor and other equipment...

10-30-2009, 07:18 AM	#17 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,416 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Crashed Dell, Cannibalizing for "new" build. Please post the hardware you have some know what you're dealing with. Do yourself a BIG favor and stay away from XFX or any other Nvidia chipped Mobo. Asus & Gigabyte are quality brands with good support. __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

10-30-2009, 07:55 AM	#18 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,389 OS: Win7	Re: Crashed Dell, Cannibalizing for "new" build. The QX6700 will not that's what I said, The ram you have is for the lower voltage i5 boards(1.6v) are you currently running it on your board(1.8v)? I would not upgrade from a QX6700 to a i5 or i7 the difference is not worth the cost. I would use either a P5Q Turbo or GA EP45 DQ6 and a single 8800GTX video card or xfire 2 ATI HD58xx cards. I'm going to look into the ram a little more to see what is compatible with later when I get home. __________________ Power Supply and Selection

10-30-2009, 08:24 AM	#19 (permalink)
7toy9 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 10 OS: vista 64	Re: Crashed Dell, Cannibalizing for "new" build. Ok - just to clear things up, my old setup included these parts: http://reviews.cnet.com/Dell_XPS_710...-32305739.html QX6700 3.2ghz Core 2 Extreme 2x 8800 GTX in SLI Dell 710 H2C Case (you can see in the above link) nForce 590i BTX mobo 4GB of 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM 1 KW power supply (http://support.dell.com/support/edoc....htm#wp1052309 ) 500GB WD Barracuda 150GB WD serial ATA/150 hard drives (RAID 0) Items I have purchased this week to replace my existing system: Case: COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119160) RAM: CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TW3X4G1333C9 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145218) Motherboard: XFX MBN790IUL9 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 790i Ultra SLI ATX Intel Motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813141009) - a little concerned I can't return this... Cooler: ZALMAN CNPS9500 AT 2 Ball CPU Cooling Fan/Heatsink and ZALMAN ZM-CS4A Socket 1366 Clip Support Kit for CNPS9500/9700 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835118003) As you can see - I have spent a fair amount of money already. I was expecting to spend a decent amount of money but beyond just fixing my motherboard issue, I was hoping to upgrade my system somewhat. All thoughts appreciated. You guys are rockstars and I really, really appreciate the help. I was suckered into paying dell $50 bucks for technical support and ended up buying an extra power supply that I didn't need (and apparently won't fit with any of the new motherboards). On a side note: if anyone needs one of those 1KW power supplies, let me know. Last edited by 7toy9; 10-30-2009 at 08:34 AM.

10-30-2009, 11:19 AM	#20 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,389 OS: Win7	Re: Crashed Dell, Cannibalizing for "new" build. Since you already have the components go ahead and build it on the bench see what you have the ram is on the support list for the XFX board http://www.corsair.com/configurator/...aspx?id=527164 but would not have been my first choice it's 1.5v so may limit the over clock a tad. Are short a power supply for the new setup I take it? Can you return the new Dell supply? __________________ Power Supply and Selection