Dimension E310, Windows 7, GT 710?

Question

Hello, I don't see a board specific for this, so don't know where to put my thread, but I have an older Dimension E310 desktop that's still running like a champ, however, as we all know the Windows 7 OS is not supported and most web browsers for it aren't either.

It easily has all the minimum requirements for Windows 7, 2.80 GHz CPU, 2GB Ram, 500GB HD - pretty much the main issue for upgrading is the graphics card. So I'm looking for a new card that supports DirectX 9, and saw the ZOTAC GeForce GT 710 that was suggested elsewhere.

Will this card be compatible with my machine? My PC is old and I know that in a couple years Windows 7 will probably be dropped by Microsoft as well, but was wanting to try to stretch out it's use as I save up for a new replacement. So I am in a bit of a void where graphics cards that supports at least DirectX 9 and would be an upgrade to what came with my PC, are themselves becoming obsolete and hard to find available for purchase online. Any help would be appreciated!

Also, apologies for putting this thread here: I tried to put it in the general desktop board but that's read only, and it also wasn't listed as an option, so don't know where to put this.

Tesla1856 · Answer

No, that machine will not run Windows-7 well (not even the rare 32bit version). I suggest a least a dual-core, 2gb ram.

A Quad-core (even an old one) and 4gb ram would be almost twice as fast and really more of a minimum for Windows-7 64bit (the normal version).

May I ask where this Windows-7 coming from? Are you going to buy it? If so, for how much?

fireberd · Answer

I had a Dimension E510, the E310's 'big brother'.  I upgraded it from XP to Vista and it ran Vista but 'struggled'.  Your E310 MAY run Win 7 but it too will 'struggle'.  Probably time to put the 310 to 'bed'.

Man With A Box · Answer

@fireberd wrote:

I had a Dimension E510, the E310's "big brother". I upgraded it from XP to Vista and it ran Vista but "struggled". Your E310 MAY run Win 7 but it too will "struggle". Probably time to put the 310 to "bed".

Thanks for the reply fireberd! Yes sadly I guess its true that my old E310 is coming to its end. Not too sad because I brought mine in January 2006, and so certainly almost 13 years of use gave me my money's worth and much much more. I also have an old Inspiron 1420 laptop that runs Vista home premium, and it supports an upgrade to Win 7 without needing to format the HD, so I'll probably start focusing more on that machine, and rely on it while I save my pennies for a new desktop PC.

Man With A Box · Answer

@Tesla1856 wrote:

No, that machine will not run Windows-7 well (not even the rare 32bit version). I suggest a least a dual-core, 2gb ram.

A Quad-core (even an old one) and 4gb ram would be almost twice as fast and really more of a minimum for Windows-7 64bit (the normal version).

May I ask where this Windows-7 coming from? Are you going to buy it? If so, for how much?

Hi Tesla1856, I have a ISO boot disk of Windows 7 that has the 32-bit option. I would have to do the clean install that would wipe the HD of everything, but I have all the programs ready to re-install and am able to store all my files and data while I did it. I've read elsewhere that people were able to install Win7 on Dimension E310s, but needed new graphic cards that supported at least directx 9, and possibly even upgraded the power supply to support the newer cards, but the upgrades that I found took place back in 2010-2013, and most of the cards they referred upgrading to aren't available for purchase in most online stores, unless you try ebay I guess.

I just kept going on with my WinXP because it kept providing me everything I needed in my machine, but now I can see the slow death coming on from programs and internet functions no longer working well with the old OS. I realized that I'm pretty late to the table as it is with this attempt, but wanted to try and see what I could do, before just retiring the PC altogether.....

Tesla1856 · Answer

@Man With A Box wrote:

@Tesla1856 wrote:

No, that machine will not run Windows-7 well (not even the rare 32bit version). I suggest a least a dual-core, 2gb ram.

A Quad-core (even an old one) and 4gb ram would be almost twice as fast and really more of a minimum for Windows-7 64bit (the normal version).

May I ask where this Windows-7 coming from? Are you going to buy it? If so, for how much?

1. Hi Tesla1856, I have a ISO boot disk of Windows 7 that has the 32-bit option.

2. I've read elsewhere that people were able to install Win7 on Dimension E310s, but needed new graphic cards that supported at least directx 9, and possibly even upgraded the power supply to support the newer cards,

3. before just retiring the PC altogether.....

1. But you also need a (legit) key/serial ... and those cost money.

2. It's just not worth spending actual money on a machine of this age. Save it for the next one.

3. I think you are there now. New is better, but if low on funds, you can buy a off-lease Optiplex (that is a few years old) for around $200, and it comes with a license of Windows-7 Pro, that should upgrade to Windows-10 for free if you want. Later, putting some money into a machine of this vintage (upgrades and what not) is ok.

speedstep · Answer

E310 has no x16 video slot so this system is not worth trying it will struggle with everything.

Dimension 3100/E310 Service Manual PDF

Money would be better spent on a system that does not have spectre and meltdown issues.

Optiplex 390 TOWER or newer is recommended.

Tower because you do not want itty bitty case or power supply.

https://www.neweggbusiness.com/product/product.aspx?item=9b-83-162-640

This system is essentially the same cost as windows alone.

E310 Motherboard

Inspiron Desktops

Dimension E310, Windows 7, GT 710?

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