On Apr 3, 12:23 am, "Josh" <jzen...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I have a Dell OptiPlex GX270 that I would like to cannibalize for
> parts to build a new machine. I would appreciate any suggestions,
> especially from firsthand experience, with regard to which Dell parts
> are most likely to be reusable.
>
> I'm guessing the PSU isn't the same size as a standard ATX unit, but I
> would expect the optical drive, the floppy and the HDD to fit in a new
> case without any problems.
>
> The motherboard is Socket 478, as far as I can tell. At first, I
> considered the idea of putting the old processor, a Pentium 4 3.00GHz,
> into a different Socket 478 board. Would I be better off getting
> something like an Athlon 64 and a newer board to match it? The RAM
> modules probably wouldn't be compatible either way, so I'm not going
> to fuss with that.
>
> Any general tips for someone building from scratch for the first time
> would be great too. I've done plenty of work inside my machines in
> the past, but the idea of starting from an almost empty case is kind
> of daunting.

The GX270 is one of 4 models of optiplex that have bad capacitors.
Dell is replacing them, even out of warranty. Contact Dell about
getting a new motherboard. Even if you are not the original owner.
Then your Optiplex will be almost good-as-new.

To answer your actual question: a p4 3.0ghz is still a decent
processor. And if you're going to buy a new motherboard, you can still
buy one with compatible Ram slots. You will probably need a new
heatsink and fan. The hard drive is likely to be reusable. I'm less
certain about the optical drives: if you have a full tower, then
they're reusable in a new tower, if you have a Small form factor
desktop, then no.