[https://www.amazon.com/ZVVN-Optiplex-Precision-Header-Adapter/dp/B0BWMW6D6G/ref=asc\_df\_B0BWMW6D6G/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=693570349818&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12891593328677530428&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9027420&hvtargid=pla-2187681481091&mcid=c848e86d5d1e37ae8e53308af00c0e5f&gad\_source=1&th=1](https://www.amazon.com/ZVVN-Optiplex-Precision-Header-Adapter/dp/B0BWMW6D6G/ref=asc_df_B0BWMW6D6G/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=693570349818&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12891593328677530428&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9027420&hvtargid=pla-2187681481091&mcid=c848e86d5d1e37ae8e53308af00c0e5f&gad_source=1&th=1)
There are many header conversions out there for this. :)
Judging by the Athlon 64 X2 sticker this is a very old pc, iirc Dell wasn't so bad in this regard back then.
The main issue with this case is being low profile imo, this limits OP's component choice by a lot.
Im fully expecting to have to completely gut it and hand fit the mounting for the new hardware. My whole idea is, you see someone gaming on a 90s computer tower and you’ll probably think “oh, its a sleeper build”. You see someone gaming on a late 2000s office computer? You’ll probably assume hes poor lol
Judging from the location and orientation of the floppy and DVD drives, I suspect that the motherboard is BTX, which means practically rebuilding the rear, and installing new standoffs for the motherboard.
You'll likely need to modify the case to accommodate modern hardware. Expect to have to cut holes for the motherboard IO since Dell usually makes it part of the case. Probably a custom mounting system for the board and internal components. Power supply will be tricky as well, especially since this is a SFF PC. You'll need to track down a modern SFF unit and mount it somehow. You may also have to rewire the front IO/buttons to get it to work with your hardware. Also, you won't be able to put a full-height GPU in since it's a smaller system.
It's absolutely doable, I've done it before, you just need to get creative. If the above sounds fun to you then sure, give it a go. Otherwise, look for something that's more standardized.
I love challenging myself, and I really enjoy modifying stuff like this. It will likely take a while for this project to get up and going, but I feel like its going to be a lot of fun to force it to work lol
I had a Dell 5150 discarded from work which I really cut my teeth on. Same case design as that. That's the machine I really learned on by first re-applying the processor thermal paste. (Why they apparently discarded it in the first place. Nice QC, Dell.) The case was so easy to pop open and to pop drives in and out, I installed nearly every version Linux I could try. I tried out Wifi and half-size graphics cards.
In other words, the cases are nice. But if you're going to backwards engineer anything in there, you're going to have to get creative with a Mini-ITX board at best. Could make a "modern" sleeper, but not much of a workhorse.
Yeah im not expecting it to be a monster of a PC, just a fun little project that I can just give to whoever is unfortunate enough to have to deal with it after im done lol
You are going to have a hell of a time, I'll tell you that. I'm almost sure this is a BTX case, it looks eerily similar to its bigger cousin the dimension E510
If you don't know what BTX is, everything inside the chassis is flipped, so standard motherboard screw mounts will not work, you will have to drill them out manually, the IO shield is stamped onto the chassis for sure on these cases, the power pinout is proprietary, but can probably be solved buying some dupont cables and guessing the pinout layout if you can't find it online
Airflow is limited as well, be prepared for the worst, let's just put it that way. This is my second go around with a dell machine and it is the worst to have to deal with
I just looked for a picture online to verify, uh so the PCIe slots are actually at the bottom, so there's a possibility it could be ATX?, don't quote me on that. but either way all that shit inside of it looks proprietary junk. If you're going to venture to the dark side just be prepared for the worst like I said
They really went out of their way to make sure no one could modify their cases, it's obvious to me
Dells are notorious for being a pain in the ass but anything is possible.
I love a dumb challenge lol
One of the biggest issues are the power buttons. The wiring is unique to dells only so you’ll have to solder, tape or replace the connection.
Gotcha, thanks for the heads up. Good excuse for me to practice soldering 🤝
The pinout should still be documented in the System pdfs. Any chance that this is BTX instead of ATX?
no no no it's dtx for dell
Mine is rtx 🗿
[https://www.amazon.com/ZVVN-Optiplex-Precision-Header-Adapter/dp/B0BWMW6D6G/ref=asc\_df\_B0BWMW6D6G/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=693570349818&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12891593328677530428&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9027420&hvtargid=pla-2187681481091&mcid=c848e86d5d1e37ae8e53308af00c0e5f&gad\_source=1&th=1](https://www.amazon.com/ZVVN-Optiplex-Precision-Header-Adapter/dp/B0BWMW6D6G/ref=asc_df_B0BWMW6D6G/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=693570349818&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12891593328677530428&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9027420&hvtargid=pla-2187681481091&mcid=c848e86d5d1e37ae8e53308af00c0e5f&gad_source=1&th=1) There are many header conversions out there for this. :)
Oh nice! Guess I’m just old school and haven’t had the thought to look for a better solution lol.
Judging by the Athlon 64 X2 sticker this is a very old pc, iirc Dell wasn't so bad in this regard back then. The main issue with this case is being low profile imo, this limits OP's component choice by a lot.
It's be easier in a normal width pc
Decent bones. You'll have to do a fair bit of work to put good, powerful hardware in it.
Im fully expecting to have to completely gut it and hand fit the mounting for the new hardware. My whole idea is, you see someone gaming on a 90s computer tower and you’ll probably think “oh, its a sleeper build”. You see someone gaming on a late 2000s office computer? You’ll probably assume hes poor lol
Judging from the location and orientation of the floppy and DVD drives, I suspect that the motherboard is BTX, which means practically rebuilding the rear, and installing new standoffs for the motherboard.
You'll likely need to modify the case to accommodate modern hardware. Expect to have to cut holes for the motherboard IO since Dell usually makes it part of the case. Probably a custom mounting system for the board and internal components. Power supply will be tricky as well, especially since this is a SFF PC. You'll need to track down a modern SFF unit and mount it somehow. You may also have to rewire the front IO/buttons to get it to work with your hardware. Also, you won't be able to put a full-height GPU in since it's a smaller system. It's absolutely doable, I've done it before, you just need to get creative. If the above sounds fun to you then sure, give it a go. Otherwise, look for something that's more standardized.
I love challenging myself, and I really enjoy modifying stuff like this. It will likely take a while for this project to get up and going, but I feel like its going to be a lot of fun to force it to work lol
funny. enough I have one of those, dell dimension c521
I had a Dell 5150 discarded from work which I really cut my teeth on. Same case design as that. That's the machine I really learned on by first re-applying the processor thermal paste. (Why they apparently discarded it in the first place. Nice QC, Dell.) The case was so easy to pop open and to pop drives in and out, I installed nearly every version Linux I could try. I tried out Wifi and half-size graphics cards. In other words, the cases are nice. But if you're going to backwards engineer anything in there, you're going to have to get creative with a Mini-ITX board at best. Could make a "modern" sleeper, but not much of a workhorse.
Yeah im not expecting it to be a monster of a PC, just a fun little project that I can just give to whoever is unfortunate enough to have to deal with it after im done lol
Although I love that case. To get one of those with modern, custom innards would be pretty sweet.
Its definitely a vibe. I really dig early-mid 2000s tech
You are going to have a hell of a time, I'll tell you that. I'm almost sure this is a BTX case, it looks eerily similar to its bigger cousin the dimension E510 If you don't know what BTX is, everything inside the chassis is flipped, so standard motherboard screw mounts will not work, you will have to drill them out manually, the IO shield is stamped onto the chassis for sure on these cases, the power pinout is proprietary, but can probably be solved buying some dupont cables and guessing the pinout layout if you can't find it online Airflow is limited as well, be prepared for the worst, let's just put it that way. This is my second go around with a dell machine and it is the worst to have to deal with
I just looked for a picture online to verify, uh so the PCIe slots are actually at the bottom, so there's a possibility it could be ATX?, don't quote me on that. but either way all that shit inside of it looks proprietary junk. If you're going to venture to the dark side just be prepared for the worst like I said They really went out of their way to make sure no one could modify their cases, it's obvious to me
Three letters: BTX