A processor upgrade on an old computer would be a waste of money with little return. Adding memory might be a better investment if you can't afford to buy a new computer. You can check your memory capacity and buy memory from www.crucial.com. They guarantee it would work. In any case, check prices on a new computer. you could buy a much faster computer for less than $400. That would be a better investment. www.dell.com/.../pd.aspx
I actually read that from another owner. 4 gigs would be more than enough for me, I'm a student just running these programs can take awhile. Its a great computer though for now.
The E310 uses the Intel 915GV chipset, which has an 8gb memory upper limit. I'd be interested in seeing firsthand that an E310 won't recognize 4gb of memory.
Just because the manual says 2gb is the upper limit doesn't mean that's true. For example, the Dimension 2350 has a 1gb stated limit, but will fully recognize 2gb.
At the time the E310 was introduced, 2gb modules were either unavailable or not commonly available. That has changed, and I'd think the E310 should support 4gb of memory.
Thanks everyone! I heard this model only can take up to 2GB...true?
No, I purchased a used Dimension 3100 (identical to the E310) and tested it with a 2x2gb GSKILL PC6400 DDR2 kit. It is fully recognized.
The chipset will recognize up to 8gb, but as 2x4gb kits are $200, it's not a palatable option for an old machine like the E310/3100.
I also tested the machine with a PCIe-1x-to-PCIe-16x adapter, and an HIS 6450 PCIe-16x card is working. The combined cost of the adapter and a PCIe-16x video card is much less than a PCEe-1x version of a similar card.
I installed a Kingston SSD in the 3100 and Windows 8 on it. All drivers apart from the onboard video install automatically, including the onboard audio. DXVA video acceleration is supported with the 6450 card and a Blu-ray disc (in an Asus USB 2.0 external drive) plays smoothly at 35% CPU usage.
Mary G
6 Operator
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20.1K Posts
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March 3rd, 2013 07:00
A processor upgrade on an old computer would be a waste of money with little return. Adding memory might be a better investment if you can't afford to buy a new computer. You can check your memory capacity and buy memory from www.crucial.com. They guarantee it would work. In any case, check prices on a new computer. you could buy a much faster computer for less than $400. That would be a better investment. www.dell.com/.../pd.aspx
shesagordie
12 Elder
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46K Posts
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March 3rd, 2013 07:00
theor23
Besides upgrading the memory, you could install a PCI video card, but this may require upgrading the default 230w power supply.
A Socket LGA 775 Prescott, P4 3.4gb, 800FSB is the maximum size processor that can be installed.
The D-3100/E310 motherboard, does not support either Dual Core or Core 2 Duo processors.
Bev.
rdunnill
8 Professor
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8.8K Posts
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35.3K Points
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March 3rd, 2013 09:00
You add a new video card: www.newegg.com/.../Product.aspx
New memory would also help: www.newegg.com/.../Product.aspx
You might be able to add an SSD: www.newegg.com/.../Product.aspx
None of the mods I've described would require an updated power supply, provided your existing power supply is in good working order.
rdunnill
8 Professor
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March 3rd, 2013 09:00
A less expensive video card combination might be a Startech adapter and a Sapphire PCEe 16x 6450 video card.
theor23
10 Posts
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March 3rd, 2013 12:00
Thanks everyone! I heard this model only can take up to 2GB...true?
shesagordie
12 Elder
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46K Posts
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March 3rd, 2013 13:00
theor23
10 Posts
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March 3rd, 2013 13:00
I actually read that from another owner. 4 gigs would be more than enough for me, I'm a student just running these programs can take awhile. Its a great computer though for now.
rdunnill
8 Professor
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8.8K Posts
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35.3K Points
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March 3rd, 2013 13:00
The E310 uses the Intel 915GV chipset, which has an 8gb memory upper limit. I'd be interested in seeing firsthand that an E310 won't recognize 4gb of memory.
Just because the manual says 2gb is the upper limit doesn't mean that's true. For example, the Dimension 2350 has a 1gb stated limit, but will fully recognize 2gb.
rdunnill
8 Professor
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8.8K Posts
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35.3K Points
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March 3rd, 2013 13:00
At the time the E310 was introduced, 2gb modules were either unavailable or not commonly available. That has changed, and I'd think the E310 should support 4gb of memory.
rdunnill
8 Professor
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35.3K Points
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March 11th, 2013 19:00
rdunnill
8 Professor
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35.3K Points
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March 14th, 2013 00:00
I installed a Kingston SSD in the 3100 and Windows 8 on it. All drivers apart from the onboard video install automatically, including the onboard audio. DXVA video acceleration is supported with the 6450 card and a Blu-ray disc (in an Asus USB 2.0 external drive) plays smoothly at 35% CPU usage.
speedstep
11 Legend
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47K Posts
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March 14th, 2013 13:00
You can get X1 pci-e cards that don't need an adapter.
HIS H645H2GD1 Radeon HD 6450 2GB 64-bit DDR3 PCI Express x1
speedstep
11 Legend
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47K Posts
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March 14th, 2013 13:00
The video is X1
HIS H645H2GD1 Radeon HD 6450 2GB 64-bit DDR3 PCI Express x1
rdunnill
8 Professor
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35.3K Points
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March 14th, 2013 13:00
A low profile x16 card will work with the Startech adapter. That's what's currently installed and it passed a Blu-ray disc test with flying colors.
There is only one x1 6450 card on the market that I am aware of and it's $100.
speedstep
11 Legend
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47K Posts
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March 14th, 2013 13:00
The video is X1