Upgrading Dell XPS 710, is it worth while?

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
W

Wintergreen

Honorable
Aug 12, 2013
6
0
10,510
Hey guys,

A while ago I had a problem with my Dell XPS 710 which I bought sometime in 2007. I've since determined that the graphics card has died. I'm wondering if it's worth upgrading the other hardware along with the graphics card or should I just buy a basic one to get the PC up and running again. Ideally I'd like use it for some gaming (Civ 5, Rome 2, Skyrim, Bioshock etc etc). Before the graphics card died, the PC was unable to meet the requirements of certain modern games due to low processing power.

Currently the machines specifications are:

- Intel Duel Core 2.66Ghz
- Nvidia GeForce 8800 GTX (Currently broken)
- 4 X 1GB DDR2 RAM
- Windows Vista 32bit (Friend can provide me with Windows 7 32bit)
- 700W PSU
- Can't identify the mother board but it seems to be made by Dell
- The PC also contain's load's of fan's and heat sink's so I'm willing to risk that it can handle any additional heat generated as a result of any upgrades

I've heard it is difficult to upgrade these machines as Dell's motherboard is not always compatible with other manufactures equipment. I'm hoping that you guy's can tell me if it's possible to put a new processor etc into the existing hardware. As mentioned, I'd like to use it for gaming. Other than that it would be used for college work (CAD, Microsoft Office, etc) and browsing. 400 euro is the most I'd hope to spend. Really appreciate any help you could provide

Thanks in advance!

PS: I definitely need to get this working soon as I'm going back to college shortly. I was thinking of this laptop if the PC cant be repaired:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Acer-5560G-6...productDetails

I know it's above my budget but I'd find a way!
 
Solution
N
I almost never ever recommend upgrading a factory PC like that. Getting in there is a pain in the ass in most cases. In your case you likely need a new power supply, CPU, Motherboard, and Video card and RAM just so you don't have a bottleneck. At that point you might as well get a new case and new optical drive while you're at it.

You can easily do it on a budget, but I would recommend against the upgrade route. It will be a bigger headache than starting over.

Edited to add: Keep in mind without replacing the motherboard you're stuck with older video cards that are compatible with that motherboard. It isn't that your Dell stuff is only compatible with Dell stuff it is that your Dell stuff is 7 years old and technology has...
Sort by date Sort by votes
N

ncasolo

Honorable
Aug 7, 2012
262
0
10,810
I almost never ever recommend upgrading a factory PC like that. Getting in there is a pain in the ass in most cases. In your case you likely need a new power supply, CPU, Motherboard, and Video card and RAM just so you don't have a bottleneck. At that point you might as well get a new case and new optical drive while you're at it.

You can easily do it on a budget, but I would recommend against the upgrade route. It will be a bigger headache than starting over.

Edited to add: Keep in mind without replacing the motherboard you're stuck with older video cards that are compatible with that motherboard. It isn't that your Dell stuff is only compatible with Dell stuff it is that your Dell stuff is 7 years old and technology has changed a lot.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
ps3hacker12

ps3hacker12

Distinguished
Feb 12, 2011
2,207
0
20,460
Your link in broken.

But with those specs, sadly there is nothing you can salvage really apart from:
The hard drive if its any good.
The PSU if its from a good brand.
DVD-RW drive.

If you provide us with your budget, we can help you pick out parts.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
W

Wintergreen

Honorable
Aug 12, 2013
6
0
10,510
Thanks very much guys, I was hoping I could keep some of the components but unfortunately I see now that it isn't worthwhile

I asked about this on another forum and one of the users suggested this build for my price range:


Item Price
AMD FX-6300 Prozessor, Boxed, Sockel AM3+ €101.96
MSI 760GA-P43 (FX), Sockel AM3+, ATX, PCIe €51.58
Super-Flower Amazon 80Plus 450W €45.97
BitFenix Merc Alpha €32.92
4GB G.Skill RipJaws PC3-10667U CL9 €30.95
WD Caviar Blue 1TB 6Gb's €56.12
Gigabyte Radeon HD 7770 OC, 1GB GDDR5, PCI-Express €93.46
Shipping €18.99
Total €431.95

I think it looks pretty good but I'm not too knowledgeable about these things! What do you guy's think?

Thanks for your help, really appreciate it!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
N

ncasolo

Honorable
Aug 7, 2012
262
0
10,810


The power supply concerns me. Not because of the wattage, but because of the brand. You are probably safe with that amount of power with what you're planning to build, but I would worry about the quality of the power supply.

The RAM itself seems a little bit dated and over-priced for what it is. Can I ask what country you're in and if a major components website like newegg is available to you?

For a budget build I like the CPU that you've selected and even the GPU you've chosen as well.

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
N

ncasolo

Honorable
Aug 7, 2012
262
0
10,810
Will you be able to get your hands on a 64 bit operating system? I think 32 bit is limited to using either 2 or 4GB of RAM. Someone else who knows more about these things should be able to confirm that.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
W

Wintergreen

Honorable
Aug 12, 2013
6
0
10,510
I've just found a 64 bit version for 30e so I'm going to get that and a disc drive as well.

This might sound like a stupid question but do all these components come with the necessary cables or are they bought separately?!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
N

ncasolo

Honorable
Aug 7, 2012
262
0
10,810


You should have everything you need. You may need to use your DVI/VGA cable from your old monitor though.

If you get a 64bit OS I would look to see what RAM is compatible with that mother board and ask for a recommendation in memory specific section of this forum. The price you're paying for the 4GB you're getting doesn't seem like a very good piece. I would look for a dual channel 4GB kit that is PC1600 (assuming your motherboard supports that. Also the question of 1.5v or 1.65v RAM is on the table since you're getting an AMD.

My power supply recommendation would be an Antec or Corsair powersupply of 500W (just to allow for a few upgrades and maybe a little overclocking.)

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
ps3hacker12

ps3hacker12

Distinguished
Feb 12, 2011
2,207
0
20,460


That PSU actually has great professional reviews:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/2643/9

good voltage regulation, good everything else, its all good. Super Flower actually make quite a few very nice PSUs :)
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
W

Wintergreen

Honorable
Aug 12, 2013
6
0
10,510
Thank's for all the input guy's I really appreciate it! Unfortunately I've already ordering the above components, I was hoping to buy better RAM in the future if I needed it. I hope that will be possible with the motherboard I've selected?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
N

ncasolo

Honorable
Aug 7, 2012
262
0
10,810


Upgrading ram is the easiest thing to upgrade on a PC.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom