Upgrading Inspiron 530...options?

Question

I have an Inspiron 530 I purchased years ago from the Dell Outlet and have been satisfied with the system, other than the fact both original memory sticks failed (I added more memory over time, but because of the failure am back to the original 2GB level I was at when I purchased the system). I am presently looking to do some upgrades to the system, in the following order:

Upgrade memory
Upgrade processor
Addition of Disk Space

When I purchased my system it was with a Core 2 Quad processor which I really like (@ 2.4G). I've noted references in these forums to being able to upgrade the system to as much as 8GB memory, which I thought was not possible as I am running in 32 bit mode with Windows Vista Ultimate. So some questions I have about memory...

Does the system have something built in that permits going beyond the 32 bit boundary in memory (e.g. like a 33rd bit somewhere)? Or is there software that is banking between two sets of 4GB, or doing something else to manage this? Or am I just misreading this?
I have two memory sticks @ 800Mhz. I thought I read somewhere that the motherboard can support up to 1066Mhz. Can someone confirm this, or should the extra memory I get stay at 800Mhz?
I have four banks for the memory. Better to get 4 sticks @ 1GB each, 2 sticks @ 2GB each, etc?

For the processor, as I would be sticking with a Core 2 Quad since the motherboard supports it, what are the best recommendations out there?

I plan to stay with the Inspiron 530 as our desktop computer for a few years (given Vista isn't being retired until 2017), then may upgrade to a new system after that...

Thanks in advance for your answers.

shesagordie · Accepted Answer

Koss53044 regards to :- 'Does the system have something built in that permits going beyond the 32 bit boundary in memory (e.g. like a 33rd bit somewhere)?  Or is there software that is banking between two sets of 4GB' The short answer is, no. To upgrade the memory above the 4Gb limit, you need to install a 64-bit operating system.  As you have a Core 2 Quad processor, this indicates you have a FoxConn DG33m03 motherboard that supports 8gb [4 x 2gb modules] of DDR2 RAM, but as noted you will need to upgrade to a 64-bit operating system Either 2 x 2gb modules, or 4 x 1gb modules will work with a 32-bit operating system, usually the 2 x 2gb modules will cost less. The FoxConn G33m03 [Dell P/N OFM586] motherboard, with a 350w PSU, supports the following:-Yorkfield Quad Core, Q8200, 2.33GHz, 4MB, 1333FSB, M1 Yorkfield Quad Core, Q8300, 2.50GHz, 4MB, 95W,R0Yorkfield Quad Core, QX9300, 2.50GHz, 6MB, 1333FSB, M1Yorkfield Quad Core, Q9400, 2.66GHz, 6MB, 1333FSB, R0 Yorkfield Quad Core, Q9450, 2.66GHz, 12MB, 1333FSB, C1Yorkfield Quad Core, Q9550, 2.83GHz, 12MB, 1333FSB, C1Yorkfield Quad Core, Q9550, 2.83GHz, 12MB, 1333FSB, E0 Yorkfield Quad Core, Q9650, 3.00GHz, 12MB, 1333FSB, E0Kentsfield Quad Core, Q6600, 2.4GHz, 8MB, 1066FSB, G0Prior to installing the processor, check that you have BIOS Version 1.0.15, or higher installed, when support for new Intel CPU's was added.Bev.

Philip_Yip · Accepted Answer

Hardware wise you should consider getting a 256 GB Solid State Drive and a 4 GB (2×2 GB) memory kit. This will give you 6 GB of RAM and a SSD. If you install faster RAM then your existing modules do not install your original modules as they will slow it down to their speed

You may run the system scanner to get the recommended upgrades:

RAM from Offtek will also work:

http://www.offtek.co.uk/ram-memory-2/dell/dell-desktop-memory/inspiron-530a-c/mid118121

For best results install Windows 7 64 Bit on the SSD. The SSD will give you the biggest boost in terms of system performance.

You may use your original hard drive for additional data storage (securely wipe it with DBAN). See my A Clean Install of Windows:

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/a-clean-install-of-windows/

Windows 7 64 bit drivers are available here:

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/driver-sets/inspiron-desktops/inspiron-530-windows-7-64-bit/

Mary G · Answer

Add up what all those upgrades to the old computer would cost and consider how that compares to buying a new or almost new computer. Models available now for about $250-$300 would be much better than spending the same amount or more on a old computer. See this model

shesagordie · Answer

Koss53044 Regards to the Inspiron Small Desktop 3000 Series, these are Small Form-Factor Systems and are not good candidates for any future upgrading. Bev.

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Upgrading Inspiron 530...options?

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