[HELP] Rebuilding my Alienware X51

[Randomifical]

Hey guys

I have an alienware x51 with me. Recently I guess the motherboard gave up on me, am thinking of getting a new motherboard and casing to rebuild the pc myself. Should be able to right? Need some help here, 1st time doing this.. some hardware info as below, are u all able to recommend me which kind of motherboard to get?

#clueless


Processor:
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770 CPU @ 3.40GHz
Clock Speed - 3.4Ghz
L2 Cache Size - 1024

Display Adapters:
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760 Ti OEM
Intel(R) HD Graphics 4600

Memory:
DUAL IN-LINE MEMORY MODULE, 4G, 1600, 1RX8, 4G, DDR3, NU

HARD DRIVE, 1TB, S3, 7.2K, 512E, TSH-MARS

DVD+/-RW, 8X, Serial ATA, SLOT, HITACHI LG DATA STORAGE

CARD (CIRCUIT), WIRELESS, HMCRD, DW1550, HF



hmmm, what info is still needed?

 

[Tommorrow]

No more warranty? You should call Dell hotline for advice.

 

[idjekyll]

I think it will be better to transfer the gpu and cpu to a new build.

 

[trento]

U can use the cheapest mobo, h81 in various sizes depending on yr preference of big or small casing. U only want to kee the same system right? Any further ambitions?

 

[kandinsky]

Not familiar with the x51, but the PSU is non-standard right? A power brick or something. You may need a new PSU too. Change mobo, may need new OS?

 

[y2c_whtdouwant]

You may want to keep in mind to get another copy of the OS you wish to install, since you will be changing the motherboard.

 

[Randomifical]

No more warranty? You should call Dell hotline for advice.

Yea, out of warranty. touch luck. No service centre in Singapore. GG. I did call them, the guy ask me to bring it to the computer repair shops outside since it's out of warranty.

U can use the cheapest mobo, h81 in various sizes depending on yr preference of big or small casing. U only want to kee the same system right? Any further ambitions?

Yea, just gonna keep the same system, not much of a gamer also, initially bought it cuz my bro keeps gaming, but not long after, he got his own laptop, the alien was left to simple tasks like flash games / maplestory. LOL no idea why the mobo up lorry also -______-

You may want to keep in mind to get another copy of the OS you wish to install, since you will be changing the motherboard.

Not familiar with the x51, but the PSU is non-standard right? A power brick or something. You may need a new PSU too. Change mobo, may need new OS?

I suppose the PSU is non-standard bah, cuz there's an huge external adapter.. It came with Windows 7, why the need to get a new OS may I ask?


So, I will need to get casing, mobo and PSU?

when choosing mobo, I only need to take note of the compatibility of the CPU? how do I check? help pls

 

[avsquare]

when choosing mobo, I only need to take note of the compatibility of the CPU? how do I check? help pls

Just open the price list and look for i7-4770, you will see a long list of mobo+cpu bundle pricings which tells you which mobos will work, quick and easy

In any case, you will notice the typical consumer mobos are either HXX or ZXX which is their chipset. Since yours is a non K CPU which doesn't allow overclocking then you should go for the H series which are H81 (low end), H87 (entry level enthusiast with some good features that you will want) or the latest one, H97 which will be compatible with the upcoming new gen CPUs.

 

[trento]

yours is a Haswell cpu so any LGA1150 mobo will do.

to retain the closest look possible, go for Silverstone RVZ01.

PSU i think must change to fit the new mobo. Any small form factor PSU of about 500w at least will do.

see the items from this site. u can order online and self collect at SLS, plus installation video.

http://www.mynextcomonline.com/sfx/

http://www.mynextcomonline.com/silverstone-raven-rvz01/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NE-Tk5uzDA0

 

[Randomifical]

Just open the price list and look for i7-4770, you will see a long list of mobo+cpu bundle pricings which tells you which mobos will work, quick and easy

In any case, you will notice the typical consumer mobos are either HXX or ZXX which is their chipset. Since yours is a non K CPU which doesn't allow overclocking then you should go for the H series which are H81 (low end), H87 (entry level enthusiast with some good features that you will want) or the latest one, H97 which will be compatible with the upcoming new gen CPUs.

hmmm, so any mobo will be compatible with my GPU?

yours is a Haswell cpu so any LGA1150 mobo will do.

to retain the closest look possible, go for Silverstone RVZ01.

PSU i think must change to fit the new mobo. Any small form factor PSU of about 500w at least will do.

see the items from this site. u can order online and self collect at SLS, plus installation video.

http://www.mynextcomonline.com/sfx/

http://www.mynextcomonline.com/silverstone-raven-rvz01/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NE-Tk5uzDA0

Thanks Thanks~ shall lookup more and begin my journey soon.

 

[avsquare]

hmmm, so any mobo will be compatible with my GPU?

Not exactly. If you want to be exact, the other bro is right: look for LGA1150 compliant mobos.

If you want a lazy way out, that would be what I suggested earlier. Go HWZ pricelist and open one from your favorite shops. i7-4770 is a commonly sold CPU, I don't think they are actually selling the i7-3XXX ones already unless you are talking about the higher end LGA2011 socket chips. So literally any mobo+CPU bundles you see on the price list that bundles with the i7-4770 obviously supports i7-4770, which is your CPU.

And thus the only thing you need to know from this is how to differentiate them. The first step is to differentiate those HXX ones from ZXX ones, where HXX does not support overclocking. Which is fine, since i7-4770 doesn't support overclocking. Anything else is up to you to research. Of course, one cent paid one cent of goods you get. H81 are cheap but of course don't expect DP1.2 ports, all USB 3.0 ports, Surround 7.1 support etc from it (which is found on the more expensive H87/H97/Z87/Z97 boards)

 

[kandinsky]

I suppose the PSU is non-standard bah, cuz there's an huge external adapter.. It came with Windows 7, why the need to get a new OS may I ask?

Unless you purchased the full retail version, OEM windows 7 license states this:

An upgrade of the motherboard is considered to result in a “new personal computer” to which Microsoft® OEM operating system software cannot be transferred from another computer. If the motherboard is upgraded or replaced for reasons other than a defect, then a new computer has been created and the license of new operating system software is required.

http://www.microsoft.com/OEM/en/licensing/sblicensing/Pages/licensing_faq.aspx

Although some ppl have said that they simply called and asked to reactivate and managed to get it done. This is from 2011 though, dunno if things have changed. You can always try it as long as you have the product key. If it doesn't work then go and buy?

To anyone who may be concerned - you can replace the motherboard very easily (even to different models/sockets) and still re-activate OEM copies.

I've done this multiple times with various different builds, you simply ring a microsoft number, and deal with a computer auto-prompter. You select the option that you're reinstalling on the same computer, and then it reads out long series of activation codes you enter. It's that simple. (Takes <5mins)

Hell - my upgrade from an AMD board to my i7 board just activated no questions asked lol

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/303438-31-windows-retail#5144845

 

[Randomifical]

I see.. How about the graphics' card then? compatible with most mobo?

 

[trento]

I see.. How about the graphics' card then? compatible with most mobo?

yes, at least from what i read online. also just to clarify since its gtx760 oem, 450w will do. but good to get a higher one.

 

[avsquare]

I see.. How about the graphics' card then? compatible with most mobo?

If you buy any of the mobos found on those price list you can be sure that your 760 can plug in.

I can't really think of which mobo can't accept your 760 off-hand, maybe those super duper ancient ones or those specifically build for microsystems.

 

[Randomifical]

If you buy any of the mobos found on those price list you can be sure that your 760 can plug in.

I can't really think of which mobo can't accept your 760 off-hand, maybe those super duper ancient ones or those specifically build for microsystems.

yes, at least from what i read online. also just to clarify since its gtx760 oem, 450w will do. but good to get a higher one.

OKIES!!! Thank you so much!!

 

[devilwahaha]

OKIES!!! Thank you so much!!

You actually dont need to get a new PSU if you're not getting a higher end GPU. The PSU that comes with your X51 is rated for 330W which is plenty for a 760ti and i7-4770 plus a harddisk.

Just make sure the required connectors are there for your new motherboard (24 pin/8pin/4pin/etc). X51 comes with a 24pin+4pin(for motherboard), a 6 pin for GPU and a Molex for HDD. So you should look for motherboards that only require 24pin+4pin to be safe.