My Dell motherboard is SATA II.
Any suggestions for a motherboard that will upgrade the system to SATA III?
I would like to use the original fan/heatsink and DDR3 memory, to keep the cost down.
Will I be able to activate Win10 Pro, which was upgraded from the Dell OEM copy of windows?
Quick summary:
Mid-2010 Dell Studio XPS 9100
DDR3 Triple channel 666.5 MHz (9-9-9-24)
Motherboard 05DN3X Intel x58 revision 13
Intel Core i7 930 @ 2.8 GHz
Socket LGA1366
SATA III capable SSD and HDD
ATI Radeon R7 370 Series
Corsair CX-M 750 Watt PSU
Dell tends to use proprietary cases (and other parts). If you are going to upgrade the motherboard, best to also buy a new case, rather than potentially having to modify the Dell case to make a non-Dell motherboard fit. Some Dell cases also have a fixed rear I/O panel and that would have to be cutout and try to fit a standard I/O panel in its place. A new power supply may also be needed.
The i7 930 is an old chipset CPU, not many motherboards around to support that.
I would rethink upgrading rather than building or buying new.
Thank you.
I was considering a similar upgrade just a couple of months back on a 2010 Dell Alienware Area 51 ALX, x58 I7 980x. That system does have all the potential issues fireberd correctly describes. Cutting out and replacing the IO panel in the hopes of getting the lights and fans (yes, even the case fans are a concern) working properly. The link below shows an example of all the work involved to upgrade my ALX system.
The ALX-Files: Area 51 R1 Motherboard Swap Asus 4770k USB3.0 + Command Center 2.08.11 = Proud new Poppa - Alienware Forum - Alienware Club - Dell Community
I talked to a couple of PC build Gurus who said "sure it can be done with significant work but why would you do this as opposed to a new build".
That's a lot of work/risk just to upgrade to SATA 3. Personally I would keep what you have until you can save for, additionally, a new chip, cooler, memory and case. That's what I did, zero regrets.
Whether you just upgrade your MB or get all new components I believe in the post free W10 upgrade environment you are going to have Windows 10 activation issues. I think it's triggered with the new MB. I kept my same SSD which already had W10 on it and I had an activation issue. Talk to Microsoft who will review your specific situation.
The computer is still very usable, except that for some reason the Anniversary Win10 update will not complete. The Dell Aurora is interesting, but to step up to liquid cooling and Nvidia 1080 is $2500. I have begun to spend some time with Flight Sim.
The other choice is to use my ATI graphics card, Corsair Power Supply and HDD and SSD in a new build.
If its not working correctly in Win 10, I looked at the Dell site again and this statement is on the page for the Studio XPS9100Product not tested for Windows 10 upgrade
Dell is not testing or developing Windows 10 drivers for this product. If you choose to upgrade, some features, applications, and connected devices may not work as expected.
Man, that is sad. On my Alienware Windows 10 installed but I changed to the new build just before the anniversary update. Maybe I'd be facing the same issue as Aeouserid. Dell isn't supporting many XPS/Alienware systems with the Anniversary update.
"The other choice is to use my ATI graphics card, Corsair Power Supply and HDD and SSD in a new build."
Yep, you don't have to go with a 1080 in a new build.
I am thinking of buying an MSI Enthuastic Gaming Intel Z170A LGA 1151 DDR4 USB 3.1 ATX Motherboard (Z170A Gaming M7) and Corsair Carbide Series 330R Titanium Edition Quiet Mid-Tower Case.
Bought a OEM Win 10 Pro x64 DVD for $70. That will start the process.
That's a well reviewed MB, but I assume you realize it doesn't have wifi. If you use wifi for your desktop I would avoid a scenario that requires a USB wifi dongle and the related Windows 10 driver issues, as it seems the wifi manufacturers can't/won't keep up with the Windows 10 changes.
I agree with the below that every modern desktop motherboard needs to provide wifi connectivity. Less probability of connect issues and you save a USB port.
MSI Z170A Gaming M7 review - Final Words Conclusion
I could add a PCIe wifi card.
The plan is to use an Intel i7 6700K processor and a Corsair H100i v2 water cooler.
Would you have an opinion versus the Gigabyte LGA1151 Intel Z170 2-Way SLI ATX DDR4 Motherboards GA-Z170X-Gaming 7?
The audio is better on the Gigabyte motherboard and has a choice of ethernet connection gaming versus intel (I have a ethernet connection, but also a wireless printer).
The MSI motherboard has a RAM Drive and seems to have a better memory sub-system.
