Dimension 3100 Hard Drive and Graphics upgrade

The 5450 is an older design that uses less power but is less powerful than the 6450, which is possibly the best budget video card available today.

There's no way a 5450, which uses only 18 or so watts, needs a 400-watt power supply. Suffice it to say that video card manufacturers are famous for overstating power supply requirements.

As for the memory, perhaps 2gb DIMMs weren't available when the 3100 was sold, but the 915GV chipset supports up to 8gb, which leads me to suspect that the 3100 will support the same via the use of a 2x4gb matched pair. However, I've made do with 4gb (a 2x2gb matched G.SKILL PC6400 pair), which is plenty enough for most everyday uses. This isn't the first time I've gotten a Dell to work with more memory than the specifications stated; some years back, I discovered that the 2350 will recognize up to 2gb, the chipset's limit.

BTW this post was composed on the Dimension 3100, which has made its way here. I'll take some pictures and you can see what I've done.

I found out this morning that the 3100 is not compatible with Windows 8.1 64-bit, due to additional CPU requirements.

Windows 8 is the end of the line.

rdunnill,

I looked up your memory reference on Newegg and there were two entries after searching for G. Skill 2X2GB PC6400:

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBNT

and

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ

There seems to be a price difference for some reason.  The search also only returned PC2 6400 memory.  Is this the same?

I also understand you were unable to install 64bit version of Win 8.1.  However, you were able to install 64bit version of Win 8.  I am leaning toward installing Win 7 now (don't like 8) and wondering if I should install 32 bit or upgrade memory and install 64 bit version. I presume Pentium 4 can run either. Right? Though, I think Win XP is listed as 32bit, however.

I agree that Windows 7 is a better choice, as it will be supported for years and has a better user interface.

PC2 memory is the correct type; the cheaper kit lacks protective aluminum heat spreaders, so I've always bought the more expensive one.

You can install either version of Windows 7 or 8, and the 32-bit version of Windows 8.1. If you were to install Windows 8 32-bit, I assume you'd be able to install the 8.1 upgrade.

Hi rdunnill & tonydv

Well, I've scarcely begun upgrading my 3011 to Windows 7 and already hit a snag to do with memory upgrading. Back in 2006,  this PC came with 2x512mb which I upgraded 2 years ago to 2x1gb, no problem. However, when I chatted with crucial.com about further memory upgrading for a 64-bit Win 7 OS I was warned it simply wasn't possible! Here's what the guy said:

"Your Dell Dimension 3100 can only accept up to 2GB over the two memory slots, so 1GB max per slot. Unfortunately the system would not support 4GB of RAM, even with a different OS, as the max memory is determined by the motherboard and cannot be changed."

I lack the necessary knowledge to debate this... can you advise, please?

There's no point in debating with customer service representatives, because their knowledge is, to be charitable, incomplete.

I have a G.SKILL 2x2gb PC6400 kit in my 3100 and trust me when I say that it is fully recognized.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122

I can post a picture of it later tonight if that will help.

I upgraded my 3100 to Windows 8.1 32-bit (64-bit is not supported), using an 8.0 upgrade product key. I used the tips in Philip's blog to create a bootable flash drive and then performed an in-place upgrade.

The end result is reasonably snappy, but keep in mind that this particular machine has an SSD boot drive.

Ok. So you had Win 8.0 ( 64bit)  installed on your SSD, then installed 8.1 (32 bit).  I thought you would not need a 8.0 product key in this situation, since its loaded on your SSD already, or does 8.1 Installation look for a 8.0 Product Key typed in during install...

The "correct" way to install 8.1 is to download an upgrade from the Microsoft Store. Unfortunately, that update seems to be very elusive. I upgraded by tricking Microsoft's download site into giving me an 8.1 install ISO image, copying the image's files to a bootable floppy and then tricking the installer into running with a generic, non-activatable product key. Once 8.1 was installed, I was able to use my 8.0 product key to activate. Very convoluted!

I don't know this Philip's blog site you mention or why you would need a bootable flash drive.  However, its good to know how to do this, so can you explain?

Philip explains here.

BTW, I finally purchased the Radeon 6450 Graphics card and the Startech Adaptor for the PC!e X1 male to X16 female transition. Waiting on delivery.  I also picked up a used multi-media card reader with the special cable and a used Sony DVD-ROM/CD-RW.  I am going to install these items one at a time to case there is a problem.

I am now thinking I should have purchased a used DVD/CD  writer instead, but IDE writers are hard to find.  Most are now SATA  and very cheap. I don't want to use my second SATA port for a disk drive, but keep it for use on a large hard drive like in your system.

It's more effective to buy a third-party two-port PCI SATA card along with a new SATA DVD burner.

I am still conflicted on getting a 120GB SSD,  instead of a large fast hard, when I replace my current 80GB.  There is almost a 3 to 1 price difference, if I get a 320GB hard drive.

No spindle drive matches an SSD in throughput. It's like a propeller-driven aircraft versus a jet. Once you try an SSD, you never want to go back!

rdunnill,

Ok. So you had Win 8.0 ( 64bit)  installed on your SSD, then installed 8.1 (32 bit).  I thought you would not need a 8.0 product key in this situation, since its loaded on your SSD already, or does 8.1 Installation look for a 8.0 Product Key typed in during install...

I don't know this Philip's blog site you mention or why you would need a bootable flash drive.  However, its good to know how to do this, so can you explain?

BTW, I finally purchased the Radeon 6450 Graphics card and the Startech Adaptor for the PC!e X1 male to X16 female transition. Waiting on delivery.  I also picked up a used multi-media card reader with the special cable and a used Sony DVD-ROM/CD-RW.  I am going to install these items one at a time to case there is a problem.

I am now thinking I should have purchased a used DVD/CD  writer instead, but IDE writers are hard to find.  Most are now SATA  and very cheap. I don't want to use my second SATA port for a disk drive, but keep it for use on a large hard drive like in your system.

I am still conflicted on getting a 120GB SSD,  instead of a large fast hard, when I replace my current 80GB.  There is almost a 3 to 1 price difference, if I get a 320GB hard drive.  Finally, I am postponing the power supply upgrade on your advise, but may use those funds for more memory ( e.g. 2x2GB sticks).  I am also trying to get academic pricing on the Win OS, both 7 and 8.1  Once I do buy and install (after the hard drive upgrade),  I will let you and "whatamidoing" know how it went. Hope his upgrades are going well, too. :emotion-1:

tonydv

Hi tonydv & rdunnill

Looks like tonydv is way ahead of me in upgrading his  dell 3100. Hope all goes well with it.

I'm in two minds about upgrading to the 64-bit version of Windows  7 mainly because of the cost of memory.  Here in the UK it would cost around £60-70 for the good quality G Skill that rdunnill recommends. I agree with him that there's no point upgrading unless you get decent quality components.

I tried bidding on ebay.co.uk  last week for some used G. Skill memory identical to that recommended by rdunnill but in the end it went to another bidder for over £30. At the moment, I'm thinking of just upgrading the graphics card (with adapter will cost around £50) and a legal dvd of windows 7 ( say £70) and hope that my 69gb hard drive can manage it! What do you think? 

Hi whatamidoing and rdunnill,

Boy, do I understand that money is tight.  Don't you hate it when you can't match a bid.  Anyway, that's why I am going about my upgrade in stages as I save my pennies.  That's also why I have been hesitant to spend $$$ dollars on the more expensive SSD and more memory to run the 62bit  version of Win 7.  However, rdunnill has a strong point when he says the SSD will turn your machine into a practically a new machine.  However, I don't see the advantage of 64 bit, unless you are into really BIG programs like Photoshop, Autocad, Video Editing, etc..   Maybe, rdunnill can comment on this issue.   Decisions, decisions...

As to your plan, I guess it depends on whether you will ever fill up your hard drive.  Since this process is already taking much of our free time, a hard drive upgrade makes sense right now, so we don't have to re-visit the issue in the future.  I never thought I would ever fill up my old 20GB Dell laptop, but eventually I changed it to 40GB, so I could add programs.  Its too slow and old now to upgrade further, so that's it. But my Dell 3100 still has some life to it.  In the old days, developers wrote tight code and programs used very little memory ( RAM and hard drive space ).  Now, the programs are all gluttons.

You are up to 69GB now, so you have to ask yourself if new programs, songs, pictures, video, etc., are in your future. Once a drive falls to less than 10% left of free space, it seems to take longer to access data. Then you are always worried about loading a program or whatever, that will take up your remaining space.

The decision is yours, of course.  But in my humble opinion, I would get a 120/250 GB, 7200 rpm, SATA hard drive off E-Bay.  :emotion-1:

Then keep your current hard drive as the second drive and additional storage space, once you re-format it.  Of course, it can also be kept as an emergency drive to get you back up and running,  if the newer drive ever fails in the future.  Win XP may not be supported then my Microsoft, but it will still allow you to run your current programs.

Stay tuned.

rdunnill,

Incredible.   I did not know that the 8.1 upgrade process is such a disaster.  Philip's Blog was very enlightenling and a bit confusing for the novice.  I know enough to be dangerous. However, it just continues to prove how lousy Microsoft is with these new versions.  Makes you wonder why they still don't get it. Fix it before you release it to the public. Rant over.

t's more effective to buy a third-party two-port PCI SATA card along with a new SATA DVD burner.

Your suggestion is pretty good. I will look around at prices and compare to an IDE DVD drives. The extra SATA data connection is great, but I think I would need an additional SATA power connector, since I recall only two SATA power connectors on the Dell 3100. Right?  Does an IDE to SATA power connector conversion exist??

No spindle drive matches an SSD in throughput. It's like a propeller-driven aircraft versus a jet. Once you try an SSD, you never want to go back!

I am tipping toward an 120GB SSD,  Saving my pennies right now. :emotion-2:

Hi tonydv

Yes, I totally agree the logic behind your suggestions....  much appreciated.

As regards the hard drive, I don't think I have mentioned previously that I have an external Samsung 1tb hard drive plugged into my Dell 3100. It serves two vital purposes: back up for key documents and emails on my internal hard drive; and storage for music and digital photos. (It's only 15% full!!) The setup seems to work ok. However, my internal 69gb HD is about three-quarters full, so I'm thinking that rather than replace it, I might transfer a substantial amount of what's on there to the external Samsung HD, thus freeing up plenty of space for Windows 7 to run on the internal HD. What do you think?

Regarding the 32/64-bit issue, I do a fair bit of photoshop-type work with the 2x1gb memory and it's generally ok with that.  The graphics card and adaptor are definitely needed but so far here in the UK I can only find 64-bit versions of the card that rdunnill recommends. I hope there are 32-bit versions available or I'm snookered!!

Last, but not least, I was chatting with a hardware "expert" who could scarcely believe that my Dell 3100 is still up and running after nearly 9 years of daily use. He seemed to think that it was risky spending one or two hundred £££s on upgrading when as far as he was concerned it would be nearing the end of its life and therefore I'd be throwing good money after bad.  I'm wondering what are the kinds of problems that can cause hardware to fail so seriously that it can't be fixed... any thoughts??

At the moment, I'm thinking of just upgrading the graphics card (with adapter will cost around £50) and a legal dvd of windows 7 ( say £70) and hope that my 69gb hard drive can manage it! What do you think?

That sounds like a prudent plan. Regarding memory, if you have 2gb of memory, that's sufficient. In fact, you can even get away with 1gb, but at the expense of speed.

I'm wondering what are the kinds of problems that can cause hardware to fail so seriously that it can't be fixed... any thoughts??

Anything in a Dimension 3100 can be replaced with used parts from eBay; however, just because a machine has been in use for nine years doesn't mean failure is imminent.

The extra SATA data connection is great, but I think I would need an additional SATA power connector, since I recall only two SATA power connectors on the Dell 3100. Right?  Does an IDE to SATA power connector conversion exist??

Molex-to-SATA power adapters can be had and they're not expensive. Amazon UK should have them.