Inspiron 620s, upgrade ram, HDD

Question

I bought an Inspiron 620 ST seven years ago. After upgrading to Windows 10, the PC runs more slowly than before. The current specification for the PC is: (CPU) Intel® PentiumTM G630, (RAM) 4GB (2X2GB) DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz, (Harddisk) 500GB 7200RPM SATA. Is it possible to upgrade the PC by (1) adding/replacing the HDD harddisk with SSD harddisk (e.g. Kingston A400 240GB or ADATA Ultimate SU650 240GB)? (2) inserting/replacing additional RAM? (3) Which type of RAM (2GB/4GB) (1pc/2pcs) can be added?

fireberd · Accepted Answer

You can use an SSD and it will speed up booting up and accessing programs. You should be able to hook up the SSD as a second drive temporarily so you can clone the existing drive to the SSD (clone the entire drive not just the "C" partition). The free (and popular) Macrium Reflect can do the clone job.

MACRIUM REFLECT

Maximum memory is 8GB according to the Crucial Memory list. If you are upgrading do not mix memory only have all the same memory. Mixing memory in many cases results in disasters. Crucial is recommended for non-Dell branded memory as its guaranteed to work in a Dell. If you buy some other brand, buy it where they have a liberal return policy in case it does not work.

https://www.crucial.com/usa/en/compatible-upgrade-for/Dell/inspiron-620s

speedstep · Answer

No such model ST

Perhaps you Mean 620S

You would be better off Upgrading to an Optiplex 790/990 or newer

the 620 is almost exactly the same as the 390 and uses the same CHIPSET. The main deal breaker for this model is that you CANNOT EVER HAVE AHCI because its locked into ATA mode for sata operation. This will have a detrimental effect on an SSD's life and performance.

A Sata wire will allow you to boot a CD and clone to an SSD.

https://www.amazon.com/Apricorn-Notebook-Upgrade-Connection-ASW-USB3-25/dp/B005C983NA/

A Silverstone Adapter will allow you to mount your SSD in a 3.5 inch bay.

https://www.amazon.com/SilverStone-SDP09-2-5-Inch-3-5-Inch-Hot-Swappable/dp/B0049MPQDG/

This vendor has Optiplex 790 for a very good price.

https://www.lambroinc.com/desktops?lightbox=dataItem-jctxo0zm

Mary G · Answer

It would be better to put the money towards a new computer. That model came out in 2011. If you add ram--the only upgrade that makes sense--make sure you are running the 64 bits version of windows 10. If you have the 32 bits version, it cannot utilize any ram over 4 gb. Get matching ram for 8 gb from Crucial or Dell. Don't mix ram.

To check for 64 bits--open Settings, System, About.

Ning-123 · Answer

Using SSD for OS and HDD for storage is the best arrangement for hard drives. Hard drive clone is easy to operate as long as you use the right cloning utility. I use AOMEI Backupper Standard for hard drive clone. Maybe you can have a try. It's free!

speedstep · Answer

The thing is that you can get a newer faster system, with more ram and better video for the price of the windows license. Anything that has windows 7 or later installed generally works with 10. Microsoft quietly allows users to install windows 10 1809 without a key and then type in the windows 7 key to activate. Windows 8 and up key is in the bios so it activates automatically.

https://www.lambroinc.com/laptops?lightbox=dataItem-jsosbu05

https://www.lambroinc.com/desktops?lightbox=dataItem-jsosut5w

Minez · Answer

I've upgraded the power supply to 500W but can't find a compatible video card.  I should have 4 hdmi mini output ports.  Any ideas

lambdapro2 · Answer

I upgraded my Inspiron 620 to use the Dell 430W PSU from by XPS 8700 and then to use a GTX 1060 6GB graphics card. Works great. The EVGA I used has one HDMI and 3 DisplayPort as well as a DVI.

I had also upgraded to Windows 10 64bit, 8 GB Crucial RAM and an i5-2500K. That CPU also made a huge difference and was an easy install.

David

richship · Answer

I just tried adding a video card (Geoforce GTX 1650) to a 620 running Windows 10 and I got a Dell splash screen and then nothing. Any tricks for getting this to work?

Inspiron Desktops

Inspiron 620s, upgrade ram, HDD

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