Upgrading Dell Computer

[Deno01]

A friend has an Dell Inspiron 530 and is looking to upgrade it. The person likes the system but knows it can be better.

The system has a
foxconn G33M02 motherboard
Celeron 440 @ 2.00 GHz Core 2 Duo
2GB RAM DDR2 RAM
Windows Vista 32 bit

What is the best that can be done to upgrade without spending enough to build or buy a new system?

 

[Kisianik]

Lets see. CPU upgrade options first.

Intel Celeron processor 430
Intel Celeron Processor 420 (1.6 GHz, 800 FSB)
Wolfdale Dual Core E7300, 2.66, 3MB, 65W, M0
Wolfdale Dual Core E8190, 2.66G, 6MB, 1333FSB, 65Watt, C0
Wolfdale Dual Core E8200, 2.66G, 6MB, 1333FSB, 65W, C0
Wolfdale Dual Core E8300, 2.83G, 6MB, 1333FSB, 65W, C0
Wolfdale Dual Core E8400, 3.00G, 6MB, 1333FSB, 65W, C0
Wolfdale Dual Core E8400, 3.00G, 6MB, 1333FSB, 65W, E0
Wolfdale Dual Core E8500, 3.16G, 6MB, 1333FSB, 65W, C0
Wolfdale Dual Core E8500, 3.16G, 6MB, 1333FSB, 65W, E0
Wolfdale Core 2 Duo, E8600, 3.33GHz, 6MB, 1333FSB, 65W, E0

Conroe E1400, 2.00G, 512KB,CCO,M0
Conroe E2140, 1.60G, 1MB, 800FSB, M0
Conroe E2160, 1.80G, 1MB, 800FSB, L2
Conroe E2160, 1.80G, 1MB, 800FSB, M0
Conroe E2180, 2.00G, 1MB, 800FSB, M0
Conroe E2200, 2.20G, 1MB, 800FSB, M0
Conroe E2220, 2.40G, 1MB, PCO, M0
Conroe E4300, 1.80G, 2MB, 800FSB, L2
Conroe E4400, 2.00G, 2MB, 800FSB, L2
Conroe E4500, 2.20G, 2MB, 800FSB, M0
Conroe E4600, 2.40G, 2MB, 800FSB, M0
Conroe E4700, 2.60G, 2MB, 800FSB, G0
Conroe E6320, 1.86G, 4MB, 1066FSB, B2
Conroe E6420, 2.13G, 4MB, 1066FSB, B2
Conroe E6550, 2.33G, 4MB, 1333FSB
Conroe E6600, 2.40G, 4MB, 1066FSB, B2
Conroe E6700, 2.66G, 4MB, 1066FSB, B2
Conroe E6750, 2.66G, 4MB, 1333FSB, G0
Conroe E6850, 3.00G, 4MB, 1333FSB, G0
Conroe E7200, 2.53G, 3MB, WFD, 65W

Intel Pentium Dual-Core E5200(2.5 GHz, 800 MHz FSB)
Intel Core 2 Duo E7400 (2.80 GHz, 1066 MHz FSB)
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E7600 (3M Cache, 3.06 GHz, 1066 MHz FSB)

In BOLD is your best option, Quads can not be installed on your motherboard:
The Inspiron 530 has two variants of motherboards, both made by Foxconn and based on the G33M series. The G33M02 which supports up to Core 2 Duo processors (the e8600 is the fastest compatible cpu)and the DG33M03, which supports up to Core 2 Quad processors. Inspiron 530 systems sold with Pentium Dual-Core or Core 2 Duo processors can not be upgraded to Core 2 Quad processors without adding at least a 350W power supply and swapping motherboards to the DG33M03 motherboard. The reason the G33M02 doesn't support Core 2 Quad processors is because it only has 6 voltage regulator ICs, the DG33M03 has 11.
If interested I will look into CPU cooler situation.

It would be the best to upgrade to 64 bit Windows, in this case you may utilize up to 8 GB of RAM, officially only 4 GB advised, however, I have instructions available on installation of 8 GB is needed.

Video Card. What is the purpose of upgrade, is it gaming? Or just regular use? If gaming, power supply would have to be upgraded to accommodate stronger Video Card, if regular use, smaller card can be installed without power supply upgrade.

Now, it is your turn.

 

[Deno01]

The plan is to upgrade this machine for now with parts that can be used again later in a new build. My friend does not have the $500 to build the system right now, and is needing this system to hold him over until they can buy all the parts.

The video card would be something like the Radeon HD 6670.
The CPU would be purchased used, and then resold once the other system is built. The ram for this system might also be purchased used, depending on if it would be guaranteed, and have a warranty, and price versus buying new.

Would that processor, adding ram, and possibly adding video card make the system a lot faster? Compared to what it is now, and not to a new system with an i3 processor or something.

Forgot to add that I have gotten my friend to realize that the best they could do with this system would still be out dated.

 

[Kisianik]

So what is the purpose of upgrade? I understand feature wish, but what your friend is need now? Office use, game playing or video editing? If game playing, which game, so upgrades can be tailored to this game, except for power supply and DVD player, well hard drive as well, nothing serious can be used later.

 

[Deno01]

It will just be used for browsing internet, watching netflix, mostly flash player games, music, watching dvds, and things of that nature. Nothing really taxing on any type of system, but again my friend cant afford to spend the cash to buy the items right now to build the whole system, and the system they are using now is several years old and slowing down.

Anyway, the plan is to spend a little and upgrade this system, while my friend saves up enough to buy the parts to build the new system. The parts will be purchased separate so what can be used in the older system will be purchased first, installed, and after the other parts are purchased remove from the old system and then build the new one.

 

[Kisianik]

Well, since serious gaming is not an issue, I would offer mild upgrade with 6670 Sapphire http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102988 if rebate works, it would be great, if not, $64.99 is not bad.
For CPU I would look for any of these:
Wolfdale Dual Core E8400, 3.00G, 6MB, 1333FSB, 65W, E0
Wolfdale Dual Core E8500, 3.16G, 6MB, 1333FSB, 65W, C0
Wolfdale Dual Core E8500, 3.16G, 6MB, 1333FSB, 65W, E0
Wolfdale Core 2 Duo, E8600, 3.33GHz, 6MB, 1333FSB, 65W, E0

E8600 http://www.ebay.com/sch/CPUs-Processors-/164/i.html?_sop=15&_from=R40&_nkw=E8600
E8500 http://www.ebay.com/sch/CPUs-Processors-/164/i.html?_sop=15&_from=R40&_nkw=E8500
E8400 http://www.ebay.com/sch/CPUs-Processors-/164/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=E8400&_sop=15

Any of those would make a huge jump over your original one. Once you purchase one let me know - light cooler upgrade might be required.

RAM - since you have 32 bit Windows, leave as is, no point wasting money here.

 

[Deno01]

Ok, I got the E8500 because it was cheaper. I also got the nividia geforce gt620. I know the card is old and small, but since dell offers it as an upgrade item on their site I figured it should plug and play pretty easy with the standard power supply. The video card is just to hopefully take a little stress off of the CPU and the RAM. This system isnt being upgraded to be a gaming rig. My friend wants something that will work better then what they have now, until they get the money and parts to build a new system.

 

[Kisianik]

most likely your original CPU cooler will work (I can not find part number for Celeron Dell CPU cooler), install OCCT as temperature monitoring program, if CPU temperatures are below 60C under any OCCT stress test, you fine - 5°C - 72.4°C is operating temperature of E8500 per http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/Core_2/Intel-Core%202%20Duo%20E8500%20EU80570PJ0876M%20-%20AT80570PJ0876M%20%28BX80570E8500%29.html, if temperatures climb higher, then you need little cheap upgrade if your original cooler looks different from below

This is Genuine Dell Heatsink and Fan for Inspiron 530 for $18.24
And use Arctic Silver 5 at least as thermal paste, this are guides on thermal paste application, general site, and specific one http://www.arcticsilver.com/pdf/appmeth/int/hl/intel_app_method_horizontal_line_v1.1.pdf

Looks like all things covered, good luck.

 

[Deno01]

From the photos I have saw on ebay of the heatsink for the E8500 it seemed to be identical to the heatsink that came stock with the system. Thank you for the link, I will forward the information to my friend. For the price of that i would probably suggest that my friends the extra $5-$10 and gets the cooler master Hyper 212 if extra cooler is needed.

 

[Kisianik]

From the photos I have saw on ebay of the heatsink for the E8500 it seemed to be identical to the heatsink that came stock with the system. Thank you for the link, I will forward the information to my friend. For the price of that i would probably suggest that my friends the extra $5-$10 and gets the cooler master Hyper 212 if extra cooler is needed.

CM Hyper 212 is 120 mm fan - not going to fit.
Please take no offense in the next statement. What most people think that they know about Dell computers is fiction, and what people who upgraded their Dells many times and advising to others is science of some type.
Inspiron 530 has: 1. room for 92 mm or smaller CPU cooler only 2. Inspiron 530 and other Inspirons have more or less identical way of attaching CPU cooler, not the way people think, it is long story to explain, but shortly, CPU cooler should have screws attached and face motherboard when mounting (like the picture I provided), since motherboard has back plate attached and it is very difficult to remove it, I have done it, I know.

The picture I provided is Dell manufactured Genuine cooler, usually Celeron coolers are much smaller, since Celerons produce very little heat.

 

[Deno01]

Ok, I have only read about upgrading the Dell systems. I am not sure now where it was that I saw someone recommend that cooler. I have removed the heatsink and fan to clean it and reapply the thermal paste but it was a while back and I dont remember if it looked exactly like that one or not. Thank you for the information again.

From what you have been saying it seems that you have upgraded dells several times. Could you try to clear up a few things for me? Such as:

Would it be possible to use a standard ATX board inside this Inspiron 530 case? I have saw several different opinions but I am looking for facts. The board looks to have the same lay out as an ATX board. (From what I have saw online when looking at ATX and BTX boards.) Some people say that the dell PSU cant be removed, but I know this to be false. Others have said that the mounting holes for the board is different, I have not checked that. If the screw holes are off could it be possible to place the board inside the case, mark where the mounting screws should go, and then change the mounting studs? (not sure what they are actually called, but the things the board sits on to keep it from contacting the case.)

The reason I ask is because building inside this case could save my friend around $40 or more later, and at this point in time each dollar saved is a plus.

 

[Kisianik]

Since you already purchased processor, I don't see the reason to change motherboard, if you did not have processor, you could argue this situation. Also, do you have Dell supplied windows? If yes, you would not be able to install it on non Dell MOBO. So I don't see any savings in changing MOBO at this point.
If you do, please explain. I am not at home now, so cannot check MOBO mounting, however, most likely, any micro ATX MOBO will mount, will check tomorrow morning if you still interested.

 

[Deno01]

If the mobo was going to be changed it would be in the future. Again I am asking for a friend who has lower income at the moment, and can only do a little at a time, and make sure the things that are more important are taken care of first. Being able to build inside this case later down the road could save some money. That is why my friend purchased the CPU and graphics card. They are trying to upgrade this machine while spending as little as possible, to hold them over for some time until they can purchase all the parts for a new build.

I know that OEM Windows is tied to the motherboard. I have heard of others having success installing it onto several machines, but being that it is windows vista 32 bit my friend will be purchasing windows 7 or some other 64 bit OS.

The plan is to spend the next 6-12 months buying parts to build the new system. (depending on situation at the moment will determine what parts will be able to be purchased)