Upgrading old computer?

Terry Lee · 03-14-2009, 10:07 PM

I am wanting to upgrade my old Dell 2350 model computer to something that has more disc space, RAM and a larger monitor. However, I am concerned that the motherboard won't accept my choice of RAM which is Corsair XMS3 2048MB Dual Channel PC10600 DDR3 1333MHz Memory (2 x 1024MB).

Currently I am running 512 (haha). I've had this computer for over 6 years and would simply like to make it preform a little better. It is not a system I plan to edit video from, however I do plan on putting my finished projects on this computer for storage and viewing purposes. Therefore I have chosen a Seagate Barracuda 1.5TB Hard Drive ST31500341AS - 7200RPM, 32MB Cache, SATA-3G and a Samsung 22" Monitor.

The total is $350. My strategy is to be able to use these same parts for further upgrades of a mobo, processor in a larger tower with a bigger power supply in the future.

So my question is, Will my motherboard be able to handle 2048MB 1333MHz of RAM?

Thanks!
Terry.

mx344 · 03-14-2009, 10:12 PM

Nope, not a chance... You would be lucky to get 667mhz ram in that old computer...

Your computer still only takes DDR ram, so i would just add a half a gig or so, that would help a little...

ScOuT · 03-14-2009, 10:47 PM

The answer is no....there is no way you can even begin to use DDR3 RAM.

Here is the link to the tech specs for your Dell computer.

http://support.dell.com/support/edoc...cs.htm#1101572

I read through it and you really have no options for any kind of an upgrade. Dell says your computer can take a maximum of 1GB of DDR 2100 RAM. Here is a link for the RAM you can use, buying two of these is about it.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145024

Two of these will bring you up to 1GB. As far as future upgrades, I think it's time to upgrade your entire system. Why don't you look at a budget system instead of sinking $350 into that. You will be much better off down the road.

Terry Lee · 03-14-2009, 11:34 PM

Thank you for the replies.

That certainly saved me alot of time.

Any suggestions on the budget system?

Terry Lee · 03-15-2009, 04:00 AM

How about just adding a new mobo, CPU and new case?

Intel Core 2 Duo E7400 Processor BX80571E7400 - 2.80GHz, 3MB Cache, 1066MHz FSB, Wolfdale-3M, Dual-Core, Retail, Socket 775 ($119)

Gigabyte G31M-ES2L Motherboard - Socket 775, Intel G31 Express, Socket 775, MicroATX, Audio, Video, PCI-E, Gigabit LAN, USB 2.0, Serial ATA ($49)

Apex PC-302 Black Mid-Tower Case - ATX, mATX ($39)

Will that motherboard work? Bassically this is price driven... Any suggestions on a better performing or less expensive unit?

Thanks for your time,
Terry.

Trio · 03-15-2009, 04:42 AM

I remember reading months ago that you won't notice any difference between DDR2 and DDR3 unless the DDR3 exceeds 2000ghz.

You'll only be able to use DDR2 and DDR (am I right?) with that motherboard- at 800ghz, unless the FSB of the CPU is faster (am I correct?).

It seems ok.

Terry Lee · 03-18-2009, 04:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trio

I remember reading months ago that you won't notice any difference between DDR2 and DDR3 unless the DDR3 exceeds 2000ghz.

You'll only be able to use DDR2 and DDR (am I right?) with that motherboard- at 800ghz, unless the FSB of the CPU is faster (am I correct?).

It seems ok.

Your right, I have DDR2 in it now actually.

03-14-2009, 10:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
Terry Lee New Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 12	Upgrading old computer? I am wanting to upgrade my old Dell 2350 model computer to something that has more disc space, RAM and a larger monitor. However, I am concerned that the motherboard won't accept my choice of RAM which is Corsair XMS3 2048MB Dual Channel PC10600 DDR3 1333MHz Memory (2 x 1024MB). Currently I am running 512 (haha). I've had this computer for over 6 years and would simply like to make it preform a little better. It is not a system I plan to edit video from, however I do plan on putting my finished projects on this computer for storage and viewing purposes. Therefore I have chosen a Seagate Barracuda 1.5TB Hard Drive ST31500341AS - 7200RPM, 32MB Cache, SATA-3G and a Samsung 22" Monitor. The total is $350. My strategy is to be able to use these same parts for further upgrades of a mobo, processor in a larger tower with a bigger power supply in the future. So my question is, Will my motherboard be able to handle 2048MB 1333MHz of RAM? Thanks! Terry.

03-14-2009, 10:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
mx344 Platinum Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Fresno, California Age: 15 Posts: 622	Nope, not a chance... You would be lucky to get 667mhz ram in that old computer... Your computer still only takes DDR ram, so i would just add a half a gig or so, that would help a little... __________________ Processor:AMD 8750 B.E.@2.7ghz Mobo:M2N-SLI Ram:Kingston Value 4GIGS 800mhz@864 5-5-5-18 + 4GB of ReadyBoost HDD: Seagate 250GIG 7200RPM 32mb cache GPU:ATI 4670 GDDR4 OC 780/1750 PSU:antec basiq 500watt

03-14-2009, 10:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
ScOuT VIP Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Germany Age: 29 Posts: 2,192	The answer is no....there is no way you can even begin to use DDR3 RAM. Here is the link to the tech specs for your Dell computer. http://support.dell.com/support/edoc...cs.htm#1101572 I read through it and you really have no options for any kind of an upgrade. Dell says your computer can take a maximum of 1GB of DDR 2100 RAM. Here is a link for the RAM you can use, buying two of these is about it. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145024 Two of these will bring you up to 1GB. As far as future upgrades, I think it's time to upgrade your entire system. Why don't you look at a budget system instead of sinking $350 into that. You will be much better off down the road. __________________ My Rig Coolermaster 690 / Nvidia Edition Seen Here Antec Neo Power 650w eVGA 780i 2 x 2 GB Dominators Intel Q9300 eVGA GTX260 Vista Home Premium 64bit Team Stats FOLDING FOR THE GOOD OF MANKIND :F@H Team 44358

03-15-2009, 04:42 AM	#6 (permalink)
Trio Gold Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 335	I remember reading months ago that you won't notice any difference between DDR2 and DDR3 unless the DDR3 exceeds 2000ghz. You'll only be able to use DDR2 and DDR (am I right?) with that motherboard- at 800ghz, unless the FSB of the CPU is faster (am I correct?). It seems ok. __________________ Biostar TF720 AMD Athlon 64x2 @ 3Ghz G.Skill 2 x 2Gb DDR2 800Mhz Rosewill 600wat PSU EVGA GeForce GTS 250 Western Digital Caviar 500GB Raidmax Eclipse mid tower Awesome blue cathodes

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03-14-2009, 11:34 PM	#4 (permalink)
Terry Lee New Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 12	Thank you for the replies. That certainly saved me alot of time. Any suggestions on the budget system?

03-15-2009, 04:00 AM	#5 (permalink)
Terry Lee New Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 12	How about just adding a new mobo, CPU and new case? Intel Core 2 Duo E7400 Processor BX80571E7400 - 2.80GHz, 3MB Cache, 1066MHz FSB, Wolfdale-3M, Dual-Core, Retail, Socket 775 ($119) Gigabyte G31M-ES2L Motherboard - Socket 775, Intel G31 Express, Socket 775, MicroATX, Audio, Video, PCI-E, Gigabit LAN, USB 2.0, Serial ATA ($49) Apex PC-302 Black Mid-Tower Case - ATX, mATX ($39) Will that motherboard work? Bassically this is price driven... Any suggestions on a better performing or less expensive unit? Thanks for your time, Terry.

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