Need SERIOUS help on upgrading computer parts!

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Dantzeil

New Member
Well Im a new forumer so forgive me if I posted in the wrong section.

Is my computer still upgradeable? I bought it in late 2006.
Its a Dell Dimension E520.

If yes, read on. If no, then ignore the rest of the thread.
Hm yeah. My computer cant run most games like Crysis smoothly anymore.

So I've decided to upgrade it. Its my first time doing so.
Some specs of my com. If you need more, dont hesistate to ask.

Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 6300 @ 1.86GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 1022MB RAM
Video Card: Radeon X1300/X1550 Series

I've got about $500 to spend and Im from Singapore.
So yeah, what would you recommend?
I just want to run most games smoothly and dont wish to spend too much.
I dont need a monster, but if its achievable with that budget, I dont mind.

The main things I hope to upgrade are
the CPU speed
the system RAM
and the Video Card.


On a side note:
Is the RAM = the computer speed? I seriously have to upgrade my com's speed. Its taking like 10mins just to power up or shut down.
If not, then what determines the computer's speed?

And is the processor upgradeable? Its got me wondering for some time.

I hope that at least someone would give some advice
Please. All help is appreciated.

P/S : Budget may increase 8)
 
johnb35

johnb35

Administrator
Staff member
According to a website I found it can support core 2 duo with 533/800/1066 fsb. The power supply would have to be upgraded due to the one you have is only 305 watts.

You can have up to 4gb of memory and there is a an empty pci-e slot for a video card.

I would contact Dell to find out exact processors it supports.
 
spearlymatt

spearlymatt

New Member
Yeah, Dells are very hard to upgrade. As with all OEMs.

I will say this though, if you just upgrade your RAM and processor, it's not going to be the magic thing you think. I think your computer being slow is a result of having too many things running, too much running at startup, and you probably need to defragment / disk cleanup.

Oh and if you upgrade your RAM, look more at the speed than the amount.
 
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Breadman177

Breadman177

New Member
You can also click on start then run..type in msconfig then click the startup tab. That is a list of things starting up with your computer, things like adobe and instant messaging you can uncheck because you can just open them when you need to use them. Really the only thing I have checked is my antivirus, this will free up some memory and should help with your starting up and shuting down.
 
K

konsole

Member
ya like others have said you computer is not great but its good enough to not take 10 mins to startup. If you want to play more recent games then you need to upgrade all those 3 components. Something in the range of high end core 2 duo like E8400 or E8500 or core 2 quad, 4gb ram, and a radeon 4850/4870. You need to find out what your computer can be upgraded to first though. Remember its the motherboard thats the main factor in determining what you can upgrade to.

The computers speed can be arguably defined by the processor but it should be determined by all the components put together because your computer is as fast as its slowest component. Faster processor and more ram are the 2 biggest upgrades in terms of overall computer performance, until it comes to games in which the video card also needs to be considered.
 
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Dantzeil

New Member
WOW. Didnt expect so many replies and thanks a lot.

Hmm. I think I've roughly got it.
One of my friends suggested this to me.

A fairly good setup is:

CPU: Intel Q6600 core 2 quad - 4 cores, very good overclocker.BX80562Q6600 SLACR http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductID=643237&source=froogle

Motherboard: MSI P45 Neo-F, not a bad board fairly cheap aswell Intel chipset, good FSB. http://www.eclipsecomputers.com/product.aspx?code=MBM-P45NF&af=50

RAMCZ Reaper HPC Edition Dual Channel - memory - 4 GB, good ram 1066mhz max the motherboard can handle with low CAS latency.

Graphics card: PNY GeForce 9800GT, http://www.misco.co.uk/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=323330&sourceid=2459

power supply unit: OCZ Fatality 550w PSU,http://www.venomelectronic.co.uk/oc...ng-sli-crossfire-psu-power-supply-p-1130.html

And yeah. He said i've got to get another motherboard since I cant upgrade anymore with my current one.

What do you think of this build? :confused:
 
F

fmw

New Member
Better figure on a new case as well. I'm not familiar with that model but it isn't uncommon for the OEM's to use proprietary cases that won't fit generic parts.
 
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daisymtc

Active Member
Dantzeil said:
WOW. Didnt expect so many replies and thanks a lot.

Hmm. I think I've roughly got it.
One of my friends suggested this to me.

A fairly good setup is:

CPU: Intel Q6600 core 2 quad - 4 cores, very good overclocker.BX80562Q6600 SLACR http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductID=643237&source=froogle

Motherboard: MSI P45 Neo-F, not a bad board fairly cheap aswell Intel chipset, good FSB. http://www.eclipsecomputers.com/product.aspx?code=MBM-P45NF&af=50

RAMCZ Reaper HPC Edition Dual Channel - memory - 4 GB, good ram 1066mhz max the motherboard can handle with low CAS latency.

Graphics card: PNY GeForce 9800GT, http://www.misco.co.uk/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=323330&sourceid=2459

power supply unit: OCZ Fatality 550w PSU,http://www.venomelectronic.co.uk/oc...ng-sli-crossfire-psu-power-supply-p-1130.html

And yeah. He said i've got to get another motherboard since I cant upgrade anymore with my current one.

What do you think of this build? :confused:
Click to expand...

Your Mobo is with G965 chipset. It should be able to support E7500. I am not sure if it support Q6600. From intel offical website, it said it support C2D with FSB1066; while you look at motherboard manfacture, most of the G965 support C2Q FSB 1066.

I don't recommend you changing the motherboard, as if you do so, there would be a chance you could not use the OEM OS from Dell. Also, your case would probably be micro-ATX, and the MSI mobo is ATX

To play it safe, I suggest upgrade as follow:
CPU: E7500 (optional, you could probably OC E6300 to 2.5GHz)
GPU: ATI HD4850
RAM: Get a stick of DDR2 2GB, I guess you've got 32bit OS.
PSU: Quality 500W

Or I suggest you sell dell E520, and build the machine as your friend suggest.
 
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Dantzeil

New Member
I dont think my dad would be supportive of getting another PC. He'd rather I upgrade my current one. T_T

And what do you mean by " I don't recommend you changing the motherboard, as if you do so, there would be a chance you could not use the OEM OS from Dell. Also, your case would probably be micro-ATX, and the MSI mobo is ATX "?
 
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daisymtc

Active Member
Dantzeil said:
I dont think my dad would be supportive of getting another PC. He'd rather I upgrade my current one. T_T

And what do you mean by " I don't recommend you changing the motherboard, as if you do so, there would be a chance you could not use the OEM OS from Dell. Also, your case would probably be micro-ATX, and the MSI mobo is ATX "?
Click to expand...

Changing Motherboard usually involve re-installing the OS, as there could be capability issue with existing OS with new motherboard. I believe most pre-built PC like dell/ Acer/ HP, etc only come with a recovery disk instead of a windows disk. In worst case, if you changing your motherboard and your exising OS not running properly, you will need to spend extra $100 on new OS.
 
Dystopia

Dystopia

Active Member
Dantzeil said:
I dont think my dad would be supportive of getting another PC. He'd rather I upgrade my current one. T_T

And what do you mean by " I don't recommend you changing the motherboard, as if you do so, there would be a chance you could not use the OEM OS from Dell. Also, your case would probably be micro-ATX, and the MSI mobo is ATX "?
Click to expand...

be glad he'll let you upgrade yours, my dad doesnt even want me to do that lol.

The motherboard you chose might not fit in your case.
 
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