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Vostro 200 upgrade
I have an idle Vostro 200 that I plan to turn into a DVR. Just need a sanity check on the hardware I'm going to add/swap. I plan to use the Hauppage HVR-2250 for video capture because it's touted to work really well with Windows Media Center. One of the requirements is a minimum 2.2GHz CPU. I've browsed through the forums and think I understand the limitations of what will go in this box (it has the G33M02 motherboard) and I hope this one will work ('cuz it's pretty cheap!): Intel Pentium G860 BX80623G860 Processor - Dual Core, 3MB L3 Smart Cache, 512KB L2 Cache, 3.0GHz, Socket H2 (LGA1155), 65W. I'm pretty sure my BIOS got upgraded to .016 during the process of upgrading from XP Pro to 8 Pro, so I hope I'm OK on that. I also need to add a video card with an HDMI output and am looking at the EVGA 01G-P3-1302-LR GeForce 8400 GS Video Card. I also figured I'd go ahead and max out the RAM while I'm at it. And finally, with all of these changes/additions, it seems like it might be wise to add a little beefier power supply than the 300W one that's currently in there. So, does anyone see any 'gotchas' in this plan? Feedback is appreciated... Thanks!
rdunnill
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December 22nd, 2012 16:00
The G33M02 is a Socket 775 board, and an 1155 CPU will not fit. I'd suggest an E5400 or better Pentium Dual Core CPU.
As for the videocard, I'd suggest something more modern like a Sapphire 6450 or better yet, 6570. The 6570 is said to be among the ultimate HTPC cards, and it's not that expensive.
4gb of DDR2 is a good idea, but there's no need to upgrade the power supply unless it's failing or too noisy.
ps81
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December 22nd, 2012 17:00
Thanks for the processor info - I'm not finding a lot in the way of replacements, though. Tiger Direct doesn't seem to have anything that would work (in the 775 socket), I did find a used E5400 on Amazon, and our local Micro Center has one of these in stock: Pentium 4 3.0GHz 800MHz 1MB Socket 775 Single Core. It's only about $15, so I'm hoping it might be a workable replacement. I know it's a single core, but is that going to make much difference in this application?
rdunnill
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December 22nd, 2012 17:00
I found an E6700 on eBay: www.ebay.com/.../150966953115
Dual cores can make a solid difference in performance, so I'd recommend one.
I'm not sure that your mainboard supports the P4, which is a weak processor by today's standards, even though it is of the correct socket. You'll be much happier with a faster, cooler-running Wolfdale CPU like the E6700, and the board is designed to use it.
I had no idea the Wolfdale was discontinued, as there are various motherboards still produced.
rdunnill
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December 22nd, 2012 19:00
Bev, may I ask where you found that list?
shesagordie
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December 22nd, 2012 19:00
ps81
The following is a list of supported processors for the Vostro 200 with a Foxconn G33M02 motherboard and BIOS version 1.0.16.
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)
Bev.
shesagordie
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December 22nd, 2012 20:00
Chris M first posted it several years ago and I've been adding to the list, whenever I found more compatible processors.
I still have the Inspiron e8400 530 MT, running Win 7, that was purchased in 2007, [that's a clone of the Vostro 200 MT] with a 24" monitor and is still a fairly viable system.
Bev.
ps81
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December 23rd, 2012 08:00
Bev, that's a great list - thanks for posting it. I've found several possibilities on eBay, just not sure how I feel about trying a used CPU...
rdunnill
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December 23rd, 2012 10:00
I used to fret about used CPUs, but no longer. The only problem I have had is bent pins, and the Socket 775 series does not have pins.
shesagordie
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December 23rd, 2012 12:00
ps81
You are welcome.
I'm all for using used processors, providing the price is right, been installing them since 2001 and to date never had any issues.
All I buy to upgrade exsisting installed motherboards, are used processors, only purchase new processors for the new systems I build.
The e8400 Core 2 Duo that's installed in my Inspiron 530 was used and purchased from Amazon, to replace the default Core 2 Duo e6320, that was sold on eBay, making this a very cheap upgrade.
Bev.
shesagordie
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December 23rd, 2012 13:00
ps81
Pete,
Yep, that sounds reasonable, new E6850's are selling for around $200 on Amazon.
Bev.
ps81
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December 23rd, 2012 13:00
Bev, I really appreciate your feedback. I'm watching a few on eBay right now that end pretty soon so I might try for one of them, and then there are some E6850's on 'buy it now' for under $50 (all used, of course). Does that seem pretty reasonable?
Pete
rdunnill
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December 23rd, 2012 13:00
Here's a Pentium Dual Core E6500 for $33 plus shipping: www.ebay.com/.../251180100053
And here's another for a little more: www.ebay.com/.../330835834001
The E6500 was released in the first quarter of 2008, long before the last BIOS update for the Vostro 200. If it doesn't work, you can always resell it on eBay.
shesagordie
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December 23rd, 2012 14:00
ps81
Pete,
A hint, when buying on eBay, anything that say's 'No returns', I will not buy [ unless I know the seller ], because you could be stuck with a defective part.
Bev.
ps81
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December 23rd, 2012 14:00
Bev - I understand...