Well, it’s about 10 years ago, I had a Dell Dimension 8100. It is a PC from Dell’s consumer line named Dimension. But it is identically constructed as their busines computer line Optiplex 400 and Workstation Precision 330. The only differences between these three models are the different front bezels and the missing onboard network connector in the first generation of the Dimension line. Later on, the Dimension-board was identically to the other models. So you could even use the BIOS from a Precision 330 or an Optiplex 400!
The Dimension 8100 was a very reliable and stable Computer with an exceptional sophisticated case design that you won’t find nowadays.
I still have this case in use, of course with other hardware components than the original, because I am convinced, that it is one of the best cases that were ever built. I’ll present this hardware modification in another post.
Dell and other big computer manufacturer has built pretty good cases in the past but since a few years the quality has gone down the drain in behalf of profit maximation and other financial reasons. I’m an ex-Dell employee so I know what I’m talking about. But it seems that all these strategies weren’t very efficient because of the problems that Dell has these days. But that’s just imho…
On a lighter note, coming back to the initially reason fort his post. :-)
The Dimension 8100 was a very reliable and stable Computer with an exceptional sophisticated case design that you won’t find nowadays.
I still have this case in use, of course with other hardware components than the original, because I am convinced, that it is one of the best cases that were ever built. I’ll present this hardware modification in another post.
Dell and other big computer manufacturer has built pretty good cases in the past but since a few years the quality has gone down the drain in behalf of profit maximation and other financial reasons. I’m an ex-Dell employee so I know what I’m talking about. But it seems that all these strategies weren’t very efficient because of the problems that Dell has these days. But that’s just imho…
On a lighter note, coming back to the initially reason fort his post. :-)
At one time the speed of the original Pentium 1.7 GHz CPU (socket 423, Willamette) was to slow for some of my applications and I was forced to replace it. The fastest available CPU for a socket 423 board was at 2.0 GHz. So the step from 1.7 to 2.0 GHz wouldn’t be very efficient but expensive. I fortunately found an adapter from the old socket 423 to the – at that time – new socket 478 (Upgradeware P478). I guess the company ’Upgradeware’ doesn’t exist anymore. The price for a new 2.4 GHz Northwood CPU was as equal as for a 2.0 GHz socket 423 Willamette. The Board was designed for expensive but fast RDRAM (Rambus) so the FSB won’t be a bottleneck for the faster Northwood CPU.
To replace the CPU, it is necessary to replace the cpu-cooler that will match to the socket 478 CPU. For this, the mainboard must be removed to fix the new cooler mount. The Upgradeware package also contains a new cooler mount kit.
Because of the modular construction of the Dimension 8100 case, the complete CPU replacing just takes 20-30 minutes.
The first picture shows the original socket 423.
At this picture the Upgradeware P478 socket adapter and the new cooler mount are assembled.
Just a close-up view.
Now the 2.4 GHz Northwood CPU is mounted and locked and ready for the cooler.
A bit thermal grease is absolutely necessary.
New CPU needs a new cooler
CPU fan and VRM (voltage regulator module) - sometimes called PPM (processor power module).
In the background you can see the 4 x 512 MB RDRAM (Rambus).
An overview about the solid Dimension 8100 case. At the left bottom the folded out power supply.
The hard disk cage is also removeable and the optical drives are mounted on sleds to remove them quick and easy through the front bezel.
The delivery contents from Upgradeware.
(picture from here: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/O8Y2xBxs7234QPQVHlHDVQ)
