Inspiron 570 Ultimate "Uber" Upgrade Guide including Overclocking

After seen multiple users asking for help on this topic and loosing the touch with those users, I decided that it is time to put together all information and make it as nice as possible. When the project will be completed I will state here completed (it will take me some time to put it together). For now it is

WORK IN PROGRESS

Little warning first to users who still hold any type of warranty for their Inspirons. Upgrading HDD (Hard Drive), RAM (memory) and installing Video Card would not void your warranty, PSU (Power Supply Unit) could be questionable. Dell generally do not recommend changing CPU (processors) [as soon as you think about changing motherboard, your PC is no longer Dell, unless if it Dell motherboard from another model, but then it is Frankenstein, in this case you can look for help at Tom's harware forum, but not here], however I would present the list of Dell tested processors, and there would be another 2 processors not tested by Dell. Also, you can change the case to make your Inspiron look nicer, or to improve cooling, I would say - it would void warranty as well. Lastly, at the end, I would talk about overclocking, this would not just void any warranties, it would place you at my mercy, since I am the only one left here who done this and still willing to help others, just remember, as soon as you decide to go this path, you might endanger you PC - it could even catch fire and burn your place, so basically you are doing it on your own risk. I am considering, if you overclock Inspiron 570 you are agree with possibilities listed above and would not hold the grudge (or hold responsible) against me or any ohter members of this forum if you become homeless due to the fire caused by overclocking, LOL.

I will start from less invasive and easier parts to more difficult and dangerous.

The guide would consist of the following parts

Part 1. RAM upgrade.

Part 2. Video Card upgrade.

Part 3. PSU upgrade

Part 4. Processor (CPU) upgrade

Part 5. CPU cooling and general cooling in the original case.

Part 6. CPU cooling and general cooling in the larger case.

Part 7. Overclocking.

If I miss something I would come back and fix it, I would try to keep everything in one thread. When I would consider the Guide completed, I would say so.

First things first - information. All Inspiron 570 manuals, next Driver download page easy and Driver download page not so easy.

Prior asking questions, I would assume that you read corresponding manuals, so I don't have to explain you, for an example, how to open your case, well I hope you understand what I mean.

Part 1. RAM upgrade.

According to the official Dell manuals, Inspiron 570 is limited to 8 GB of maximum 1333 MHz memory, however it was found that 16 GB of 1333 MHZ is recognized, faster RAM would slowed down to 1333 MHz. So far no one complained that theirs RAM (manufacturers) were not recognized by Dell. Generally it is recommended to use Crucial, however I used Corsair and did not noticed any problems. Also, try to avoid tall heat spreaders, especially if planning to use tower push-pull fan configuration - push fan may block access to the nearest to CPU cooler RAM slots.

Let Me try to explain.

Unfortunately this is the only picture where you can see the situation.

This is the Diagram with the same color code RAM.

4.  DIMM 1 - most likely could be affected by large CPU Cooler

5. DIMM 2 - may be affected by large CPU Cooler

6. DIMM 3 - not going to be affected by large CPU Cooler

7. DIMM 4 - not going to be affected by large CPU Cooler

This info is from manual

Recommended Memory Configuration

Model	One module	Two modules	Three modules	Four modules
570	DIMM4	DIMM4 DIMM3	DIMM4 DIMM3 DIMM2	DIMM4 DIMM3 DIMM2 DIMM1

Part 2. Video Card upgrade.

So you know, our Inspiron has only 300 watt PSU, so without changing PSU the strongest Video Card upgrade would be Sapphire (recommended) 7750, or cheaper and a bit less powerful version is 6670, for anything above this you would have to upgrade your PSU.

Some people asked if the Video Card and RAM slots would "intercept", the answer is no. However, in order to change or add RAM, Video Card has to be removed to allow RAM holder clips to open, this is approximate picture below, the maximum length of the card is about 12 inches or 30 cm, in this case Video Card would go under HDD so you would have to measure upper clearance .

Watch out for 2 SATA slots next to Video Card - they could be covered by Vcard heatsink, if this is happening you have to use sata angle cables.

I realized that I did not cover much of Video Cards here. So a little more. As you notice I placed MSI 550 TI OC Cyclone for its exceptional cooling ability, this card is very tall, but short, measurements are (L)"x(H)"x(W)", 8.27" x 5.51" x 1.38". I will add more cards here as users will report.

XFX Double D FX-787A-CDFC Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card 9.5" x 4.4" x 1.5".

Part 3. PSU upgrade.

This is general guide for PSU recommended by MSI, I would add at least 50 watt to your final decision, however the more the better, some say 100 watt is very good idea, would not argue here. Any standard PSU will fit inside (there could be small bending of some metallic parts of the case required, but nothing major). Just make sure that new PSU has 24 pin or 20+4 pin main MOBO (motherboard) power connector plus 4 pin ancillary power connector, 4 SATA power cables, and at least one 6 pin Video Card PSU connector. It could be modular or not. Modular are much more expensive, with regular you would have to improvise hiding keeping cables out of the way.

Here are a few pictures of regular PSU, so you see that cable management can be a headache.

To my best knowledge the recommended PSU manufactures are XFX, OCZ, Seasonic, Enermax and Corsair, I don't see so many complains about Thermaltake and Antec. Store brands and surprisingly cheap PSU should be avoided if you want stability and assurance that nothing will burn or PSU will last for long time with the same specs over the time.

Next I used Extreme PSU calculator to show that our standard PSU can support 7750 and Phenom 965 together, no PSU upgrade necessary, if no overclock.

System Type:		1 physical CPU
Motherboard:		Regular - Desktop
CPU Socket:		Socket AM3
CPU:		AMD Phenom II X4 965 C3 3400 MHz Deneb
CPU Utilization (TDP):		90% TDP
RAM:		2 Sticks DDR2 SDRAM

Video Card 1:		AMD Radeon HD 7750
Regular SATA:		2 HDDs

DVD-RW/DVD+RW Drive:		1 Drive

USB:		4 Devices

Fans
Regular:		2 Fans 92mm;
LED:		1 Fan 92mm;

Keyboard and mouse:		Yes
System Load:		90 %
Minimum PSU Wattage:		252 Watts
Recommended Wattage:		302 Watts

Inspiron 570 stock PSU is 300 watt and it is known that this number is somewhat underrated, so 302 watt is O.K. Now, PSU was in my Inspiron 570 model was HIPRO HP-P3017F3, below are the specs for anyone to chew.

+5V = 22A, +12V = 18A, +3.3V = 17A, +5V aux = 2A, -12V = 0.8A; Special comment "+5V and +3.3V SHALL NOT EXCEED 160 W".

If you need replacement, you can get it from here new for $38. Not exactly the same, but very similar.