Longevity of the Inspiron 530-531

You can evaporate the 'slowness' by using an SSD as a boot drive.

My Inspiron 531 is still going strong after five years, as is the Photo 966 Printer. I replaced the 20" monitor that came bundled with the system with an Azus 23 1/2" only because I wanted a larger monitor.I also replaced the awful Nvidia GS 830 that also came with the system.  I'd like to know the average life expectancy that other owners have experienced with either model. I'm thinking of upgrading to an XPS 8500 when the time is right. During the last  five years i'VE HAD TO REINSTALL vISTA 32 TWICE TO STOP SYSTEM SLOWNESS. These PCs are seemingly built like Russian T34 tanks. What's your experience been?

 jerrywarriner

Purchased my 530 MT. that's a clone of the 531, except it has an Intel CPU, instead of the AMD in 2007, upgraded to Win 7, the CPU to a E8400, the GPU to a Radeon 7750 and installed an SSD cache, it's still a viable working system.

Found the Inspiron series to be a rugged well built machines.

Regards to machine life, I have no idea, but have a pristine Dell, Socket 370 L Series that's 13+ years old, upgraded to XP HE, from Win 98SE and it's still working fine, but runs as slow as cold molasses on a freezing morning, when compared to my other newer Quad 4 and AMD 6 machines with SSD. LOL.

Bev.  

You should consider upgrading to Windows 7 64 Bit via a clean installation.

See Windows Reinstallation Guide/A Clean Install of Windows 7 which will instruct you in proper installation of Windows 7 and lead to optimum results:

http://philipyip.wordpress.com/dell-community-forums/

Use the following drivers here:

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/software-os/w/microsoft_os/4632.inspiron-desktops-windows-7-unofficial-drivers.aspx

For best results ensure that you have at least 4 GB of RAM but if your model supports 8 GB it is recommended to upgrade to 8 GB of RAM.

The Inspiron 530 is a bit more complicated. There are variants, the Inspiron 530 a/c (http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=Inspiron%20530a%2Fc) supports a maximum of 8 GB of RAM. The Inspiron 530 b/d (http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=Inspiron%20530b%2Fd) supports a maximum of 4 GB. If your model is one of the ones that can support 8 GB of RAM than you are best to upgrade to 8 GB. Run the Crucial System Scanner to verify what system you have: http://www.crucial.com/

There are a few reports of running 8 GB on the Inspiron 531, this is unofficial however will likely work: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20111129080330AAFNfmr

In addition a SSD such as the Crucial M500 series for example would be a good addition for either system (upgrade this and install Windows 7 64 Bit on the SSD) and keep your old hard drive for data storage.

I agree!

My 531 is also just over five years old and is still going strong.

I added 2Gb RAM and another hard disk and a graphics card. I also had that problem with Vista, but switched to Linux (Mint) a while ago and haven't looked back :emotion-1:

I think I would look at an SSD next - not necessary, but desirable. Other than that I can only imagine replacing worn-out parts/peripherals. I don't foresee buying a new machine in the near future.

As you say, these things are bomb-proof!

As an aside: it's not surprising to me PC sales are down. It's so easy to upgrade components and the general build-quality is so good, there is little need to buy new. 

I have three Inspiron 531 MTs that are running strong.  All are running Windows 7 64bit and one is configured with 8GB of memory.  I've installed SSD in two and all three have dedicated video cards.  The only had one failure in the past year and had to replace the PSU, otherwise no problems.

Hi

JSKTX I just read your reply in old post about Inspiron 531

I am helping someone with Inspiron 531 upgrade and it most likely will involve CPU upgrade. I am considering Brisbane Athlon 64 X2 5000+
Black Edition or Athlon 64 X2 5400+ Black Edition. Choice depends on price and availability.

The final intent is to overclock Inspiron 531 using the same protocol as I did with Inspiron 570 and Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition.

My question is regarding compatibility first - I did not see anyone using Black Edition in Inspiron 531 (or at least no one said so), and second, regarding BIOS upgrade. Which BIOS version is enough for those upgrades, as I recall, latest BIOS doesn't allow RAM upgrade to 8 GB, or I am mistaken?

Appreciate anyone input on BIOS situation.

Thanks in advance.

I have BIOS version 1.0.12 or higher on all my 531's and yes they support 8 GB of RAM.  Two of my 531's have Athlon 64 X2 6000+ Brisbanes and one has a Athlon 64 X2 6400+ Windsor with 8 GB of memory.

This is only my opinion, but it would be my guess that a Black Edition would also work.  It's the same architecture as a 5000+ just with an unlocked multiplier so it should work.  Again that's just my opinion.

I have BIOS version 1.0.12 or higher on all my 531's and yes they support 8 GB of RAM.  Two of my 531's have Athlon 64 X2 6000+ Brisbanes and one has a Athlon 64 X2 6400+ Windsor with 8 GB of memory. This is only my opinion, but it would be my guess that a Black Edition would also work.  It's the same architecture as a 5000+ just with an unlocked multiplier so it should work.  Again that's just my opinion.

Thanks for quick reply, most likely it would go.

If it will go and overclocked, I will post results here for sure.

i have dell inspirion 5315. bought it approx~2008. upgraded video card. still going. kinda falling apart. cpu overheating too easily. wish i could afford a replacement gaming rig that can handle the games i play (crysis, starcraft, attack on titan tribute game, world of warships, magika) 8 years of minimum wage. still can't replace it. i need help. i want to move on to a machine that isn't dying. i love taking part in the fights.

There is no such model 5315.

Crysis and Starcraft work on models as old as GX280 with a Radeon Card.

The 19 Watt ASUS Radeon HD5450 does not need an upgraded 400W power supply and therefore works fine with the 620 ALL MODELS Except the USFF.  USFF systems have no slots and a laptop type Power Brick.

Here is example of GX280 doing the same thing.

ASUS EAH5450 SILENT/DI/512MD3(LP) AMD Radeon HD

There is no such model 5315.

There is an Inspiron 531S maybe its a typo.