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Upgrade a Dell Dimension 3100

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  • 08-04-2009 12:01am
    #1
    solat
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4 ✭


    Hi,

    I want to upgrade an old pc of mine for use as part of a home media centre. Its current specs are:

    Motherboard:
    CPU Type Celeron, 3066 MHz (5.75 x 533)
    Motherboard Name Dell Inc. Dell DV051
    Motherboard Chipset Intel Grantsdale-G i915G/GL/GV
    System Memory 502 MB
    BIOS Type Phoenix (04/04/06)

    Soundcard: Creative SB X-Fi

    I'll be running XP Pro (or maybe Vista HP if it runs smoothly) and streaming to an XBox.

    I don't want to spend too much money and I saw this kit online

    http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=407607

    AMD Athlon 64 X2 5200+ 2.6GHz Socket AM2 1MB, BOXED m/koeler
    MSI K9N6PGM2-V, nForce430+GeForce 6100, Socket-AM2+, m-ATX, DDR2, LAN, PCI-Ex16
    Corsair Value S. PC5300 DDR2 2048MB Kit w/two matched Value Select 1024MB

    The kit including delivery is €138.

    My question is, can I fit this kit without changing my motherboard, and if not, would I be better off getting an Intel Pentium Dual-Core processor such as

    http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=376380

    Intel Pentium Dual Core E5200 2,5GHz, (€79)

    and add the graphics card and memory separately.

    I really want to keep cost to a minimum, and make the upgrade to a dual-core as hassle free as possible.

    Any suggestions and help would be much appreciated.


    Cheers!


Comments

  • Options
    #2
    eshortie
    Closed Accounts Posts: 69 ✭✭eshortie


    You can't fit the AMD processor in an Intel Motherboard.

    And knowing Dell your layout inside might be BTX as opposed to ATX like my PC.


    I'm not sure would that motherboard support the processor upgrade. Mybe someone else could help or else ask Dell,.


  • Options
    #3
    Solitaire
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 18,377 Mod ✭✭✭✭Solitaire


    Oh wow you're screwed :(

    Did some research and the 3100 is from the Bad Old Days where Dell made custom mobos, cases, PSUs... Basically the system is a write-off for anything other than netbook uses (web surfing, basic documents and music...) You can't change the mobo, PSU or case as they're all unique (mBTX and bespoke Dell PSU connectors), you can't install a graphics card at all (no AGP or PCIe), you can't boost the memory much (2GB PC4200 max and no dual-channel) and the 915G chipset is too old to support a CPU upgrade (you might be able to run certain P4s but a modern CPU won't be able to run regardless of whether it physically fits in the socket, i915 and below can't handle C2D!) :eek:

    In any case that bundle you listed isn't that great anyway and as it includes the relevant (old) motherboard, yes you would have to remove the old motherboard - so you could fit the new one! :P Oh, except it won't fit in the case. Or plug into the custom PSU. D'oh!

    New build time I'm afraid :(

    Assuming you can reuse the old drives and PCI cards and don't need a bigger HDD this is as horribly basic as it gets:

    entryAMD.jpg

    Okay, I lied. Basic, but at least modern and the onboard graphics should handle HDMI with ease. And yes the case and PSU are horrid but they're cheap and as the system will only draw about 100W on a bad day...


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