Pentium III motherboard into Pentium II case?

[ff]

Hi, I have a Dell Precision with a Pentium II processor. I've been
considering upgrading it to a Pentium III processor and motherboard
because it seems like an inexpensive way to give this good older system
more performance.

Would this be an easy swap or even possible at all? I haven't found any
specific information on this subject.

Any opinion or ideas welcome!

Fred

 

[Brad Houser]

Hi, I have a Dell Precision with a Pentium II processor. I've been
considering upgrading it to a Pentium III processor and motherboard
because it seems like an inexpensive way to give this good older system
more performance.

Would this be an easy swap or even possible at all? I haven't found any
specific information on this subject.

Any opinion or ideas welcome!

Fred

AFAIK Dell cases are non-standard and it is unlikely you can swap
motherboards, even if the new one is a Dell. New cases are not very
expensive, some are under $50 including the power supply.

Brad H

 

[J]

Hi, I have a Dell Precision with a Pentium II processor. I've been
considering upgrading it to a Pentium III processor and motherboard
because it seems like an inexpensive way to give this good older system
more performance.

Would this be an easy swap or even possible at all? I haven't found any
specific information on this subject.

Any opinion or ideas welcome!

My opinion is that it's 2005 not 1989.

 

[DaveW]

Probably not possible. Dell uses NON-standard parts and connections with
their power supplies, connectors and motherboards. You most likely cannot
get an industry standard motherboard to work in a Dell case.

 

[spodosaurus]

Hi, I have a Dell Precision with a Pentium II processor. I've been
considering upgrading it to a Pentium III processor and motherboard
because it seems like an inexpensive way to give this good older system
more performance.

Would this be an easy swap or even possible at all? I haven't found any
specific information on this subject.

Any opinion or ideas welcome!

Fred

It's unlikely that the motherboard will be compatible with a the Dell
ATX power supply, as Dell used proprietarilly wired PSUs in that era
(and may still do, I'm not sure). I doubt that the new board and new PSU
would even fit in that case, as Dell made everything a 'unique' size
back then.

Ari

--
spammage trappage: remove the underscores to reply

I'm going to die rather sooner than I'd like. I tried to protect my
neighbours from crime, and became the victim of it. Complications in
hospital following this resulted in a serious illness. I now need a bone
marrow transplant. Many people around the world are waiting for a marrow
transplant, too. Please volunteer to be a marrow donor:
http://www.abmdr.org.au/
http://www.marrow.org/

 

[ff]

My opinion is that it's 2005 not 1989.

LOL. That's OK. I'm still living in the 1960's.

 

[ff]

Probably not possible. Dell uses NON-standard parts and connections with
their power supplies, connectors and motherboards. You most likely cannot
get an industry standard motherboard to work in a Dell case.

Luckily I was able to find a Dell PIII motherboard. From the photos it
looks like the same form as their PII main board. I'll post my results
after I get it and try it out.

 

[ff]

It's unlikely that the motherboard will be compatible with a the Dell
ATX power supply, as Dell used proprietarilly wired PSUs in that era
(and may still do, I'm not sure). I doubt that the new board and new
PSU would even fit in that case, as Dell made everything a 'unique'
size back then.

Ari

I'd like to thank everyone who replied. I found an inexpensive Dell PIII
motherboard and will try it out. You are correct, Dell used a unique
layout in that era.

Fred

 

[Michael Cecil]

I'd like to thank everyone who replied. I found an inexpensive Dell PIII
motherboard and will try it out. You are correct, Dell used a unique
layout in that era.

I've done that kind of replacement many times. It's not hard because
normally the standoffs and the I/O shield match up without a problem. For
a PII case you might need to cut an opening for the USB port in the I/O
shield. The things to be wary of are that the Dell power supply may not
have standard pinouts. Even if you're swapping in a newer Dell
motherboard it might require a standard pinout, and be incompatible with
the existing older Dell power supply. Also, the leads that go to the
front bezel may need to be reworked. Usually I've just taken leads from
trashed cases and wired them in so the existing buttons and LEDs will work
as expected.