Will a Dimension 3000 mobo fit in an ATX case?

I would like to purchase a new case for the "guts" of my dell dimension 3000, but i'm a bit worried about the motherboard. I've had problems with dell and proprietary stuff before (fan issue...), and i heard that dell makes proprietary motherboards as well. Is this true? If anyone knows if a dell dimension 3000 motherboard will fit in the case below, please post a response and tell me! thanks in advance

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811121065

The 3000 is micro atx, so it should fit in any normal atx or matx case. The problem is the non-standard connections dell uses for their front panel (button, leds, usb, etc). The connectors can be made to work, it just requires modification.

Also, you may need to get a new heatsink for the processor if you get a new case since the dell heatsink has no fan (it uses the rear exhaust fan and the shroud to pull air through it).

Thanks so much how much "modification" are we talking here? i don't have a lot of experience with heatsinks or buttons.

Well, you'll basically have to trace the wires from the dell's button/leds to the motherboard to figure out what pins on the board go to each. The power button is easiest, since a power button doesn't have polarity, it just has to make contact between two pins.

Leds do have polarity, but this can be determined by looking at them. To do so, you remove them from the led holder and look at them from the side to identify which pin is positive (anode) and which is negative (cathode). Inside the led, the negative (cathode) is the bigger piece. Once that is figured out, just trace the wires from the led to the board.

It may be helpful while tracing the wires to draw a little diagram of the dell's motherboard pins and then label each of the pins on the diagram as you figure them out.

Once you figure out the pins on the dell board, you'll need to match them up to the connector(s) on the new case. If you're lucky, there may be no modification needed, just match up pins. It all just depends on how the pins are laid out on the dell board, and the style of connector(s) the new case is using.

Thanks very much That doesn't seem incredibly difficult, and i think i'll be able to manage it.

Bad news. The mobo doesn't fit... it's too small. And it has a different back (all the ports are in different places). AND to top it off, i had to remove the heatsink to take out the mobo, and in the process bent a bunch of pins... and now i can't get it back in. Will I have to get a new mobo?

An atx case will accept micro atx, and the case you linked to specifically states matx compatibilty. You would have to install the brass standoffs in the proper positions for the dell board though.

You have to remove the IO panel plate from the dell case and put it into the new case, in place of the generic plate.

Some systems in this line use four standoffs with screws through the board around the procesor to hold the retention bracket onto the motherboard. A new case probably will not have mounting positions for these. There are several ways around this problem. First is to get a heatsink that uses a motherboard backplate and mounts through the board. For example this mounts through the board, unfortunately, it's pretty loud too. Another solution to this is to buy some nuts that will match the thread of the screws that hold the heatsink retention shroud onto the board. Finally, you could buy a 478 retention bracket like this and use it instead of the stock one.

The pins would be on the processor, since this is socket 478. If you can't straighten them (or if they are broken off), then you'd need a new processor. I've heard of people using a mechanical pencil with the lead removed to straighten the pins. The tip of the pencil fits around the pin and you can then bend it back straight. I'd imagine a mechanical pencil with a metal tip would be better for this. You'd only need a new mobo if a pin broke off in the socket and you couldn't get it out (or if the motherboard was otherwise broken).

Thanks, I thought my computer was a goner! It seems the heatsink is attached to the cpu via some sort of adhesive... I was foolish to think that that was part of the heatsink! I'll have to try the mechanical pencil thing (lucky me i always use mechanicals). Also, the I/O port piece didn't look removable from the outside, but I can see that now from the inside. Were these "brass standoffs" supposed to come with the new case? I'm not sure what they are supposed to look like... Again, thanks for the advice

Nevermind about the brass standoffs. I googled it

Another bump has occurred... I can't get the cpu into it's place. The pins are all straight, but it won't go in. Any ideas?

I'm a bit worried. the processor was attached so firmly to the heatsink that it came off with it. The Dell website says that to remove the processor I should lift a lever (to "unlock" the socket, i guess) and then pull. Is there any way to get it placed? or is it completely gone? the page that says this is here:

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim3000/en/SM/parts.htm#wp1043338

Unfortunately, this is where the problem arises. The cpu doesn't go into it's socket, even with the lever raised. Does that mean that the pins were damaged? If so, do I have to get a new processor or a new motherboard entirely?

I straightened some stray pins so that all of the pins were as straight as could be, and made sure of proper orientation, but to no avail. it still refuses to go in.

You could try looking at a cpu install guide video, like this one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSFOfAGjql0

If the pins are straight...it should drop right in, but I know they are difficult to get all straightened just right..

I was able to get the cpu in, but there are pins missing (5 of them). Will it still boot? Or should I get a replacement (I've already searched on newegg and found my exact processor for 79.99 w/ free shipping.)

So 5 pins broke off? Or just aren't there? It depends on what pins are missing if it will work without them or not. I'd say with 5 though, chances are slim that it'll work, but might as well try, nothing to lose.