Dell Dimension 5100



Dell Dimension 5100c

These basically sound like replacements for the 4700 & 4700c.

Dell Dimension 9100

This looks like a replacement for the 8400. It's been out for a few weeks now.

Hm. Can't decide if I like the new look or not. Too used to the look of my dual 400sc machines I guess

edit: Took a look at the 5100. Basically it's a 4700 but BTX form factor (new style motherboard for better cooling). Sounds like the onboard gfx is a x300 though! Not too shabby for onboard (although isn't "hypermemory" where the ATI onboard gfx use main ram? So you'd lose 128meg of ram to the video?)

Nice to see the card reader slots on it. Their sample model in the pics has a tv tuner and upgraded video and sound cards. Interesting to see that they then put covers over the audio and video ports from the onboard vid/sound - too many stupid people calling asking why their new computer doesn't work when they use the wrong set I guess

Oh, and ALL legacy ports are gone - no parallel or serial. All that's on the back panel of the 5100 by default is vid, sound, network, and usb. Not even PS2 for keyboard/mouse.

Ok, the new look is growing on me. The 5100c actually looks like a sweet htpc machine - has digital audio built it (looks like both coax and optical?) The 9100 does too.

If they're removing PS2, they really should be loading it up with even more USB ports.
I only counted 5 on the back. I could fill those up pretty quickly:

• keyboard
• mouse
• digital camera/dock
• color printer
• laser printer
• scanner

That's what port replicators are for. Besides, you have 2 on front.

That's the only thing I like about the 9100 over teh 8400. More USB ports on front, along with firewire. And they are placed in a conveinent location. The 8400's are low and there is only 1 USB port.

I agree, it does need more ports. I've got a 400sc that has (iirc) 6 USB on the back - I've got them all filled. And that's WITH a PS2 mouse and keyboard!

Let's see, what's in there...

UPS
Laser printer
Inkjet printer
Bluetooth adapter
cable coming to front for thumbdrive (since there's no accessible front ports on 400sc)
gamepad

Cool, I will upgrade my 8400 when a deal comes out on one of these.

I still have my 8250. With 512MB RDRAM that I got for like $200. paid lots for the ram

I sold my 8250 when I got the first 400sc - I'd upped it to 512 and sold it sorts barebones (case, mobo, ram, PSU, cpu, but no drives) and got more than I'd paid for the system and ram

Slightly off topic. However, this is a general question about the newer 5100 and 5100C line.

Do the newer models (I mean the main-boards along with CPU) work with standard ATX cases and power supply? The older DELL Dimension line had proprietary power supply and they will work only with DELL specific power supply connectors. 400SC was awesome and it fit standard power supplies. I don't know if that's true with 420SC. Anyway I am looking for 4700 equivalent (5100) or higher with a PCI-E x16 slot.

Now you might ask why I don't want the DELL case. I am interested in taking the motherboard to my grandparents in a different country. I will be visitng them soon. I don't want to carry the DELL casing because they are heavy. I can buy a casing there and save on luggage weight.

Any suggestions? Please correct me if some of my perceptions are not right!

You may find this post helpful:

http://www.bargainshare.com/index.php?act=...ndpost&p=535122

Thanks wurlybird9.

Here's what I found out in brief.
Dell Power Supply Converter $13.95



Pentium 4 Dell Models that do not require a power supply adapter:
Dell Dimension 4300, 4400, 4700, 8200, 8300, OptiPlex GX 400

Pentium 4 Dell Models that require a power supply adapter:
Dell Dimension 8100

Notes: If you are unsure if your Dell requires one of our Dell Power Supply Adapters, please take a close look at the Dell motherboard pictured at the top of this page and see if your motherboard has the extra connector pictured on the left. Also Some Dell machines chassis may need to have material removed to make room for a standard power supplies ON/OFF switch.

Here's a Statement from DELL on non-standard components. Looks like the newer models should be compatible with standard ATX power supplies. I am not entirely sure.

Now, I need to figure out if if these Dell Mainboards will fit a standard ATX casing or not.

Anyone has more inputs on this issue?