I have a desktop from the early 2000s I've been tinkering with since I was a teenager. I like the case but jeez I hate the mobo on this thing.
A Dell Dimension 8300.
Win XP
Pentium 4. 2.80 GHz
2.25 GB RAM
Nvidia GeForce4 MX 440 with AGP8X
3.5" floppy (removed)
Generic CD/DVD reader/writer
LG Lightscribe CD/DVD reader/writer
120GB SATA HDD system drive
160GB SATA HDD extra storage
8 USB 2.0 ports, 2 front 6 rear
5 PCI ports
It's pretty ok for most activities I use it for, emulators, ripping, burning, backing up data, photo editing, web browsing and video playback. But...
The motherboard sucks for 3 reasons:
1
I tried installing a Blu Ray drive. New hardware installed and updated drivers but the damn thing didn't recognize Blu Ray discs, only CD & DVD media. Then tried with a Lightscribe drive, and the lightscribe function didn't work either.
2
It only has 2 SATA connectors. The 3.5" floppy drive is useless and I can't hook an IDE HDD up to the port it occupied as far as I know.
3
No newer graphics cards I've tried fit in the AGP slot.
I don't know if this thing is even worth messing with anymore. I'm afraid it's as good as it can get.
Is there a technomancer in the house who's got some recommendations for making this dinosaur PC roar? Or should I gut it, keep the case, and get new parts?
A Dell Dimension 8300.
Win XP
Pentium 4. 2.80 GHz
2.25 GB RAM
Nvidia GeForce4 MX 440 with AGP8X
3.5" floppy (removed)
Generic CD/DVD reader/writer
LG Lightscribe CD/DVD reader/writer
120GB SATA HDD system drive
160GB SATA HDD extra storage
8 USB 2.0 ports, 2 front 6 rear
5 PCI ports
It's pretty ok for most activities I use it for, emulators, ripping, burning, backing up data, photo editing, web browsing and video playback. But...
The motherboard sucks for 3 reasons:
1
I tried installing a Blu Ray drive. New hardware installed and updated drivers but the damn thing didn't recognize Blu Ray discs, only CD & DVD media. Then tried with a Lightscribe drive, and the lightscribe function didn't work either.
2
It only has 2 SATA connectors. The 3.5" floppy drive is useless and I can't hook an IDE HDD up to the port it occupied as far as I know.
3
No newer graphics cards I've tried fit in the AGP slot.
I don't know if this thing is even worth messing with anymore. I'm afraid it's as good as it can get.
Is there a technomancer in the house who's got some recommendations for making this dinosaur PC roar? Or should I gut it, keep the case, and get new parts?