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Old system upgrade

Post Date: 2009-01-22
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Kryhavoc View Drop Down
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Posts: 362 		  Quote Kryhavoc Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Topic: Old system upgrade
    Posted: 22 Jan 2009 at 8:45pm
I am currently saving my money as fast as I can, but it will take time to come up with the funds for the beast I want to get.
 
While doing some research, I discovered that I can upgrade my old system for a lot less than I thought I would have to pay.
 
I currently have a Dell OptiPlex GX280.  It has Processor,80547,Pentium 4 Prescott Dt,550,SKT-T,E0,Male.  Ram: Dual In-Line Memory Module,256533M,64X64,8,240,1RX8.  GPU: Integrated on MOBO.
 
Since I only have a cable connection, I will pick up a wireless card so I can connect with the household network.  That was the easiest thing to figure out which to get.
 
The next easiest is to add a GPU.  Dell website is suggesting I purchase a Radeon HD 2600 Pro 512MB DDR2 PCI Express Graphics Card from them.  I suspect that is the most powerful available that would run on my old monster.  I have found a cheaper version on Newegg and will check at Best Buy tomorrow.  I have a preference for Nvidia, anyone know what their equivalent GPU would be opposite this choice?
 
Third upgrade is ram.  I am only using Windows XP and no plans to upgrade the OS, but I figure even 3GB would be better that two.  I plan to add two 2GB memory sticks and Dell has only a 667mhz available.  Checking Newegg, I found an OCZ version that ranges from 800mhz to 1200mhz.  Any general advice on what speed I should get.
 
My main goal is to get back online and be able to play City of Heroes.
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PatrickB View Drop Down
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Posts: 544 		  Quote PatrickB Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 22 Jan 2009 at 9:35pm
Yes the ram can go up to 1200Mhz but ONLY if your motherboard supports that speed. Do you know what motherboard you have? If not can you give us the service tag on your dell so we can look it up?

As for the 2600pro it isnt a bad card, but its not all that great. I had that in my old dell E510.

Do you know if you have 32 or 64 bit xp??? Knowing dell its most likely 32bit so your computer will not recognize more than 3.25Gb of ram.


Edited by PatrickB - 22 Jan 2009 at 9:37pm
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DST4ME View Drop Down
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Posts: 36758 		  Quote DST4ME Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 22 Jan 2009 at 9:37pm
what ever dell has available is probably what your mobo supports

Nvidia Drivers----AMD Drivers
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PatrickB View Drop Down
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Posts: 544 		  Quote PatrickB Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 22 Jan 2009 at 9:42pm
Originally posted by DST4ME

what ever dell has available is probably what your mobo supports


Probably 100% right with that. Smile
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Kryhavoc View Drop Down
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Posts: 362 		  Quote Kryhavoc Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 22 Jan 2009 at 9:51pm

But...but....I can get the same kind of GPU from another vendor for a cheaper price...and really would like to get Nvidia.

Sheesh, yea, never buying a Dell again.
 
DSO for life!  Yeah, Baby!  Let's Disco!
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Kryhavoc View Drop Down
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Posts: 362 		  Quote Kryhavoc Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 22 Jan 2009 at 9:54pm
Service Tag: D6M1771
Windows XP 32bit, I figure it's not worth the money to upgrade to 64 bit, but I do feel it worth it to get up to 3gb ram speed.
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PatrickB View Drop Down
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Posts: 544 		  Quote PatrickB Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 22 Jan 2009 at 10:01pm
I would say get like 2.5gb because the 512mb from the GPU counts toward your overall ram, if i remember correctly, im sure DST will correct me if wrong.

You can order the parts from newegg just make sure that the speed, slots match up. Im guessing that your motherboard has a PCIEx16 slot so you can get a lot of cards just nothing that uses PCIEx16 2.0.
Q9550 @ 3.4Ghz for now
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Kryhavoc View Drop Down
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Posts: 362 		  Quote Kryhavoc Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 22 Jan 2009 at 10:15pm
Okay, so I should probably just get the two 1mb ram sticks and combine that with the GPU.  That would be cheaper and I will be replacing this with a DSO rig in a few months after I have saved up enough money to purchase one.  I'm hoping to find what I want at a decent price locally rather than order through Newegg.  Just being impatient is all,  waited all this time to upgrade and now that I finally decide to do, don't feel like waiting any long than I need to do so.
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Posts: 544 		  Quote PatrickB Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 22 Jan 2009 at 10:20pm
Ya only thing about local stores is it is more expensive. Newegg shipping really isnt that long. It took them 3 days to send ALL of my computer parts to my house. All the parts in my specs.
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DST4ME View Drop Down
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Posts: 36758 		  Quote DST4ME Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 22 Jan 2009 at 10:26pm
best ram and price for your system is right here

I say get 4GB of the 667MHz ram.

Edited by DST4ME - 22 Jan 2009 at 10:27pm

Nvidia Drivers----AMD Drivers
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Kryhavoc View Drop Down
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Posts: 362 		  Quote Kryhavoc Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 22 Jan 2009 at 10:29pm
Perfect!  Thanks DST4ME!  It's a lot cheaper than $38.00 from Dell.
 
Thanks PatrickB for your answers as well.  Can't wait until tomorrow to order my new parts!


Edited by Kryhavoc - 22 Jan 2009 at 10:30pm
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JFuller092 View Drop Down
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Posts: 73 		  Quote JFuller092 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 22 Jan 2009 at 10:37pm
Id say just get the best video card you can your mobo supports and 4 gigs of 667mhz, OCZ, and crucial are your best options imo.
Intel I7 940 @ 4.0
Asus P6T X58 Mobo
12GB OCZ Flex DDR3 2000mhz
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Posts: 36758 		  Quote DST4ME Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 22 Jan 2009 at 11:18pm
I love crucial ram, not one bad stick yet

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Kryhavoc View Drop Down
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Posts: 362 		  Quote Kryhavoc Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 23 Jan 2009 at 3:15pm
Thanks again, everyone!
 
I order my memory from Crucial and my GPU and wireless-g card from Newegg.  I should be online with my computer at home by the end of next week at the latest.
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Posts: 36758 		  Quote DST4ME Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 23 Jan 2009 at 5:04pm
Keep us posted

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Kryhavoc View Drop Down
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Posts: 362 		  Quote Kryhavoc Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 27 Jan 2009 at 8:06pm
I have found out via Tracking the the GPU and wireless card have arrived at home (I am still at work).  The Tracking on the Crucial Ram is still travelling and I should receive it by Thursday.
 
My current thinking is to wait and upgrade the ram first, then the GPU and finally the wireless card.  I do plan to install each component separately and test the system to make sure it is functioning before I move the the next component.
 
Is that a correct order, or would it be possible to upgrade the GPU and the wireless card now and install the ram when I get it?
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Posts: 36758 		  Quote DST4ME Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 27 Jan 2009 at 8:13pm
yup put in the wireless card and the GPU and then you can do the ram later.

install the GPU first boot-up, update driver then after driver update/install be sure to reboot so if there is any problems you will experience them then.

once reboot is good after driver install, then go for the wireless card and same thing with it.

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Kryhavoc View Drop Down
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Posts: 362 		  Quote Kryhavoc Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 27 Jan 2009 at 8:24pm
WOOT!  Maybe I can finally run Neverwinter Nights on my computer!  I could get it started then it would crash, I was right at the edge of Minimum Requirements.
 
Still gonna have to wait until Saturday to get online.  The owner of the wireless network works before I work, but is in bed by the time I get home late at night.  We both have Saturday off.
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Posts: 362 		  Quote Kryhavoc Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 29 Jan 2009 at 9:26pm
Ok, checked the tracking on the ram sticks from Crucial and UPS delivered it today.  I have all three components ready to add to my system.  Only problem is I have been working so much overtime that I don't have time to work on my system.  I have Saturday off and will upgrade that day.
 
Only other thing I am mildly considering is adding another harddrive to the thing.  Not sure what would work and don't need much, only looking for a 40GB or at most 80GB.  Part of my reason that it is an older machine and trying to keep cost of upgrade down.
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Posts: 36758 		  Quote DST4ME Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 29 Jan 2009 at 10:12pm
you can use what ever HDD you like

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Posts: 362 		  Quote Kryhavoc Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 01 Feb 2009 at 2:46pm
Hello everyone, just a quick update!
 
The ram from Crucial didn't fit in my motherboard.  The indentation is in the wrong location.  Contacted Crucial by email on Friday night, awaiting a response, hoping I can return them.
 
Same answer for the GPU from newegg.  I wasn't able to upgrade either item.  This is a nonrefundable 30 day return.  I may be giving this to my nephew if it is more powerful than the one he has and if it fits.  If it don't, I will probably sell it on eBay.
 
The wireless-g card snapped into place with very little effort and booted up quick and easy.  I finally have online connection from my home computer after about 2.5 years and I only have myself to blame for waiting so long.
 
My nephew-in-law made a suggestion and I think he may be right.  Dell may have their stuff purpose-built so you can only use their upgrade parts instead of a third party vendor.  Next payday, I will order the ram direct from Dell.  The GPU will have to wait until have my Megacon trip to Florida at the end of the month.
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Posts: 36758 		  Quote DST4ME Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 01 Feb 2009 at 5:20pm
Kryhavoc, your PC has 2 versions, looks like we got ram for the other version.

Dell does their own mobos but ram and stuff will fit, your GPU I'm not sure about, if you have a pci-e 16x then you can use it, but I guess you don't.

the ram crucial will take care of you and swap for the right ones

I have used crucial ram on my dells many times

Edited by DST4ME - 01 Feb 2009 at 5:22pm

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Posts: 362 		  Quote Kryhavoc Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 02 Feb 2009 at 12:55pm
Big%20smile
So, DST4ME, based on your statement, I went back to Crucial and since my computer is now online, I decided to use their Crucial System Scan.
 
Remember, I stated that what I owned was a Dell Optiplex GX280.  That info was simply based on my service tag.  I had used memory and travelled to another computer in the household to access the Dell website and input that service tag from memory.  In my defense, I was reading that number in semi-poor light at an odd angle.  What I had used was D6M1771.
 
When I had Crucial scan my system, they came up with compatible ram for my Dell Dimension 3000 computer.  My first reaction was "WTF?"  So like any decent logician, I started over at the source of my information.  Looking more closely with a flashlight at the service tag, I find that it is D6MT771.
 
My system is DDR, not DDR2.  I seem to be having a hard time wiping this egg off my face.  I will be returning this ram for credit towards ram that will work on my system.  I suspect that is also why the GPU didn't fit as well.
 
Using the new service tag, I find different compatible GPU via the Dell website and will be ordering that from newegg next payday.
 
The misadventures continue...
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Posts: 36758 		  Quote DST4ME Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 02 Feb 2009 at 6:22pm
right that is what I figured as far as your ram goes, however your gpu is not like that, gpu depends on pci and all mobos are the same on that, what you need to do is find out what kind of pci slot you have.

Edited by DST4ME - 02 Feb 2009 at 6:23pm

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Posts: 362 		  Quote Kryhavoc Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 02 Feb 2009 at 7:42pm
Ah, but the reason the GPU didn't fit is because I was ordering one that would work for the Dell Optiplex GX280, not for the Dell Dimension 3000, which is what I really have.
 
Looking at the Dell website for suggested upgrades that should work for my computer, they are recommending either the Radeon X1300 256MB SFF or the Radeon 9250 256MB PCI or the Radeon X1300 256MB DDR2.  Not exactly sure the difference is between the two separate X1300's, but checking on the items at newegg, I can get either the X1300 or the 9250 for a cheaper price (of course).
 
I am thinking that the X1300 would be the better one to pick.  Based on my detailed examination of the slots for the graphics card, either of these look like they would fit.
 
I also found out that my nephew's computer only has a GeForce 6150se graphics controller, which is an onboard graphics.  If his father agrees, I'm going to give him the GPU if it fits, it seems like it just might fit.


Edited by Kryhavoc - 02 Feb 2009 at 7:44pm
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Posts: 36758 		  Quote DST4ME Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 02 Feb 2009 at 8:37pm
again no matter what your brand of pc is, your motherboard's pci slot decide what card you got, unless you got a really old pc with agp.


now looking at your service tag I see you have a pci slot and that not a pci-e x16, this is why you could not fit the other card.

you can fit any of these cards on your system since they are all just "pci" (not to be mistaken with pci-e x16 or higher)

Edited by DST4ME - 02 Feb 2009 at 8:37pm

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Posts: 362 		  Quote Kryhavoc Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 02 Feb 2009 at 8:57pm

Gotcha, thanks.
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Posts: 36758 		  Quote DST4ME Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 03 Feb 2009 at 1:05am
buy from where ever that is cheaper, newegg should be it, dell will charge you more for no reason.

before ordering double check to make sure the card is pci


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Posts: 362 		  Quote Kryhavoc Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 18 Feb 2009 at 1:12pm
The upgrade saga continues.
 
I was able to sell my incompatible GPU on ebay at a loss, of course.Wink
 
I was able to RMA the incompatible RAM to Crucial and have received my refund!Ouch
 
I received my new ram kit from Crucial and was able to easily upgrade from 256mb to 2gb!Angry
 
I played around with the new ram and was definitely amazed at how much faster everything was and I am kicking myself for not investing in a ram kit earlier.
 
When I get back from vacation next week, I will add another hard drive and a graphics card.
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Posts: 36758 		  Quote DST4ME Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 18 Feb 2009 at 4:13pm
great news on the ram Kryhavoc , once you are over 2GB you will no longer notice a speed difference, but you will notice you are able to do more multi tasking

enjoy the vacation boss

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Posts: 362 		  Quote Kryhavoc Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 18 Feb 2009 at 7:36pm

Hey DST, need some help picking a hard drive, what would be a good pick for my Dell Dimension 3000 with a 250 watt PSU.  I am hoping to at least be able to add a GPU as well, but obviously don't want to overload the PSU.

One of the reasons I am doing this upgrade is my niece will inherit this computer when I order my DS Beast.  I want her to have something that is in decent working order.
 
Edit: How hard is it to replace a PSU?  Perhaps I can upgrade to a 300 - 400 watt PSU and not worry about overloading the PSU, then I could add a sound card as well.
 
Just trying to maximize this PC for my niece.
 
Oh, for HDD size, probably somewhere between 100gb to 300 gb would probably be ok for this computer.


Edited by Kryhavoc - 18 Feb 2009 at 7:40pm
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Posts: 36758 		  Quote DST4ME Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 18 Feb 2009 at 9:25pm
any hdd you want is fine, does your dell have sata support?


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Posts: 362 		  Quote Kryhavoc Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 18 Feb 2009 at 9:34pm
That's what I was trying to find out, I think it has IDE, but not sure how to find out.  Is there any website out there that will scan your system and tell you what you have?  The information from my Dell Service Tag is confusing to read and I am not always sure of finding the information I need to make the smart choice.
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Posts: 36758 		  Quote DST4ME Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 18 Feb 2009 at 9:35pm
well what kind of a cable connection do you have to the hdd?


this is ide:



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Posts: 362 		  Quote Kryhavoc Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 18 Feb 2009 at 9:38pm
Oh, sure, ask me a question when where I have to look inside my computer and I am at work!Embarrassed
I'll have to check later.  No rush to buy this, won't be doing anything more for my computer until I get back from vacation.
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