What brands don't use a lot of proprietary parts - PSU, etc.?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Doc
  • Start date Start date
On Fri, 09 Jun 2006 02:20:25 +0100, Pooh Bear

|
|nos1eep wrote:
|
|> On Fri, 09 Jun 2006 00:49:39 +0100, Pooh Bear
|> |[email protected] wrote:
|> |
|> |> Nigel Heather wrote:
|> |> > Beg to differ. I tried to upgrade a Compaq Evo at work (new Motherboard,
|> |> > CPU, RAM). Although the case was standard and took the ATX board without
|> |> > any problems the PSU was just weird.
|> |>
|> |> Errrr. Reread the post, you're not differing.
|> |
|> |Errrr... when posting a comment half way through only *please* trim the remainder
|> |!
|> |
|> |Graham
|>
|> **** off, Nazi control freak.
|> --
|> -nos1eep
|
|Godwin's law is invoked. YOU LOSE !
|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godwins_Law

Shit!
 
Beg to differ. I tried to upgrade a Compaq Evo at work (new Motherboard,
CPU, RAM). Although the case was standard and took the ATX board without
any problems the PSU was just weird.

Firstly it had a power connector that must have been unique to Compaq - I
checked all the known PSU pinout arrangements and this was a totally new
one.

So I decided to buy a replacement PSU. Found that the size and the position
of the mounting holes for the Compaq unit were non-standard. I ended up
having to cut some of the case chassis away and mount the PSU on 2 screws
out of 4.

Compaq may have changed their act now but I can say with confidence that it
wasn't always the case.
Click to expand...


There are always exceptions when it comes to OEM systems,
but quite a few (the majority now?) of Compaq, HP, Dell and
Gateway do use standard PSU. The case wiring harness is
still too often integrated though, a bit of a pain if they
don't provide easy access to the pinout if/when needed
later.
 
Looking to get an Ebay computer for video editing, probably in the faster
PIII or Earlier P4 range and want to be able to grab replacement parts like
the PSU off the shelf if need be, which I found is problematic with my PIII
Compaq. What brands should I be looking at? Or will I need to look at a
homebuilt to ensure this?

Also, is there a good site that explains the various mobo/CPU/RAM
types/families - i.e. Socket whatever, etc.? Trying to sort it all out.

Thanks.
Click to expand...


Go to local stores and check them for yourself.
Check the back panel, the I/O plate to ensure it is the
standard rectangular shape, not holes stamped out of the
metal casing.

Check the interior for the PSU form-factor and the power
connector pins, 20 or 24 pins and the wire coloring. take a
printout of the ATX connector standards with you if
necessary.

Also note whether the system comes with or had omitted
things like the bays for (potential) drive positions that
are empty. For example on a Dell without a floppy drive in
it, you may have the front case plate but no rack inside,
making it a lot more difficult than it should be to add a
floppy or other floppy-sided device (like an internal card
reader, audio I/O or whatever).
 
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