Upgrades for Dell Dimension E310?

Jordan_95 · Feb 7, 2017

Got a hand me down E310 and want to play Steam on it. I know absolutely nothing when it comes to gaming PC's. I do want to upgrade it so that i can get better graphics, better speed, and more RAM to play some of my favorite games. I know that i can only get 4GB max on the motherboard? That's where the RAM goes right? Anyway, any help would be greatly appreciated!

velocityg4 · Feb 7, 2017

According to the Dell service manual.
http://downloads.dell.com/manuals/all-products/esuprt_desktop/esuprt_dimension_desktops/dimension-3100_service%20manual_en-us.pdf#page40
- CPU: Pentium IV with hyperthreading
- RAM: max 2GB DDR2
- Expansion: 2 PCI, 1 PCI-e X1
- CHIPSET: Intel 915GV

Even when this came out. It was very low end. Expansion options a very limited.

The best CPU you may be able to install is a Pentium IV 670. It is supported by the chipset. Actual supported processors would depend on the BIOS.
http://www.cpu-upgrade.com/mb-Intel_(chipsets)/915GV_Express.html

RAM would be 2x1GB DDR2.

As for the GPU. Possibly a Radeon 4350 or GeForce 8400gs. I'm not sure if there are better PCI or pci-e X1 cards.

It would all be quite slow. It should be bought used. I wouldn't spend more than $20 total including shipping.

You could probably pick up a Core 2 Duo with dominating specs and upgrade options for $50 from a thrift shop like Goodwill.

Hello man · Feb 7, 2017

Jordan_95 :

You're right about the motherboard taking the RAM!

Anyways, that is basically all the good news I can give you. The E310 is horribly outdated by today's standards and there really isn't any way to fix this.

Trust me on this one, I know. I used to upgrade old systems all the time and know a fair bit about what can and can't be done. That system is from 2006, 11 years ago. It might run mine craft on lower settings. Maybe.

What games are you trying to play? I just want to get a sense for what amount of juice you'd need. There could be a cheapish way to do this with used stuff if you don't mind getting your hands dirty.

Hello man · Feb 7, 2017

velocityg4 :

Honestly, I would give you a Core 2 Duo E6400 and an ASUS P5NSLI I have laying around. I do know for a fact that you could play some games on that, especially with a better CPU.

If you really want to get some sort of a rig running, I am sure there are guys on this forum (myself included) that would be happy to just give you old stuff we have in our attics so you don't waste money on a system that will never give you much in return.

Jordan_95 · Feb 7, 2017

So if i get the Pentium, and Radeon, how many FPS would i get?

Jordan_95 · Feb 7, 2017

Hello man :

Jordan_95 :

You're right about the motherboard taking the RAM!

Anyways, that is basically all the good news I can give you. The E310 is horribly outdated by today's standards and there really isn't any way to fix this.

Trust me on this one, I know. I used to upgrade old systems all the time and know a fair bit about what can and can't be done. That system is from 2006, 11 years ago. It might run mine craft on lower settings. Maybe.

What games are you trying to play? I just want to get a sense for what amount of juice you'd need. There could be a cheapish way to do this with used stuff if you don't mind getting your hands dirty.

I'm wanting to play TF2, Portal, HL2, Rust (which isnt possible lol) and some indie games (Night in the Woods mainly). My laptop can handle these games just fine, but I want more power and rather use the laptop for work.

Hello man · Feb 7, 2017

Jordan_95 :

With the Pentium, Radeon and all the RAM you can stuff in there, you wouldn't get a whole lot. You would meet the recommended system requirements in all areas besides the GPU (the Radeon kinda sucks majorly) and actually exceed the minimum requirements.

However, you won't be looking at very pretty pictures. You'd be on low graphics settings in TF2 for sure.

Jordan_95 · Feb 7, 2017

Hello man :

I saw this: https://youtu.be/5TZ-k3F3gN0 and was wondering where I can find that exact PC. I found a used graphics card, so in total it'll cost ~ $120, just inside my max budget of $180.

Jordan_95 · Feb 7, 2017

Hello man :

Another thing is that would this one: http://m.ebay.com/itm/Dell-Optiplex-780-MT-Core2Duo-3-00GHz-E8400-6-GB-500-GB-DVDRW-W7-Pro-/132089685258?hash=item1ec128a50a%3Ag%3AqXQAAOSw9GhYmljB&_trkparms=pageci%253Ace7e67af-edb6-11e6-91ef-74dbd1807406%257Cparentrq%253A1bf9514415a0a358968122cdfffdca8a%257Ciid%253A5 work with the graphics card mentioned in the video? Thank you all for your help!

Hello man · Feb 7, 2017

Jordan_95 :

Hello man :

I saw this: https://youtu.be/5TZ-k3F3gN0 and was wondering where I can find that exact PC. I found a used graphics card, so in total it'll cost ~ $120, just inside my max budget of $180.

Cheaper

More expensive, but probably a better all around deal. I would get this one.

Hello man · Feb 7, 2017

GPU

Go ahead and grab this one. That big bracket you see on the back should be removed before installation. It is a good GPU for the price, better than the one in the video I am pretty sure.

You should be able to plug and play almost after that. It should be pretty simple.

EDIT: This is a little pricier than the system they build in the video if you get the $99 system, but it has 8gb of RAM, a WAY more usable amount. The larger hard drive allows more games to be installed. Also, you get a better CPU (the CPU in the $99 one is faster than the video system).

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Upgrades for Dell Dimension E310?

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