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AndiB10

1 Rookie

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20 Posts

39

May 15th, 2024 00:30

Dell Inspiron 3646 Desktop Upgrades

Greetings, my name is Andi!

I own a Dell Inspiron 3646 Mini-Desktop, as stated in the title, and I would like to know some things that I don't know if I'm able to do. Here are some details below:

RAM: What is the maximum amount of RAM this PC is capable of? And if it is capable of upgrades, would it be able to support modern technology like DDR4? If yes, please provide details below.

CPU: Can the Inspiron 3646 be upgraded with CPUs other than the Pentium Processor originally installed on the motherboard? If yes, what are some processors that can be used to upgrade without any problems to the PC?

GPU: I don't see any PCI/e slots on the motherboard, assuming that there is no upgrade available for GPU. Or, the graphics come directly from the Intel Pentium Processor, which is most likely correct. Please inform me whether there is one or not.

Thank you and have a blessed day!

Chino de Oro

5 Practitioner

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5K Posts

May 15th, 2024 04:12

Inspiron 3646 is not a good candidate for any hardware upgrade.  This system supports Intel Celeron and Pentium processors and can not be upgrade without a motherboard change.  There is one slot for DDR3L-1333 memory, supporting maximum of 8 GB.  Besides Intel HD integrated graphics, some motherboard was configured with discrete graphics NVIDIA GeForce 820M option.  See full system specifications below.

https://dl.dell.com/manuals/all-products/esuprt_desktop/esuprt_inspiron_desktop/inspiron-3646-small-desktop_reference%20guide_en-us.pdf

Considering the system age and value, save all your upgrade budget toward a new(er) system.

redxps630

7 Technologist

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10.4K Posts

May 15th, 2024 04:15

It is not a mini tower like the other Dell MT models that use standard psu micro ATX mobo. 3646 is more like a laptop that uses proprietary mobo with sodimm laptop style ram and AC adapter. It has no built in psu.
max ram is 8GB ddr3L. Not c/w ddr4.
cpu is soldered on mobo like laptop. no upgrade possibility 

such Dell model is basically a toy like its brethren HP mini pc, not a serious pc that has much option. User option is limited to ram and ssd 

it has a discrete video card option but that comes from Dell factory as a different motherboard that has GeForce gpu soldered on it, just like laptop too

(edited)

AndiB10

1 Rookie

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20 Posts

May 15th, 2024 14:43

@Chino de Oro​ @redxps630 I have noticed that when looking at the motherboard, there isn't a lot to upgrade. I would definitely recommend using an older PC, like the Dell Optiplex first-generation models. You have many options, such as upgrading to a maximum of 32 GB RAM, upgrading to an Intel Core i7, which, in my opinion, is quite decent, and lastly, you can even add a GPU to it. The only upside to this model in particular, is that It has an HDMI port, Unlike the Optiplex 790, which only supports VGA, an outdated technology. In conclusion, I recommend using this model solely for office or school work.

(edited)

bradthetechnut

6 Professor

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7.6K Posts

16-05-2024 00:38 AM

@AndiB10​ 

By the way, if you let us know what you want your PC to do, we can always make suggestions.

bradthetechnut

6 Professor

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7.6K Posts

May 16th, 2024 00:37

The post above mine does not look like it's by AndiB10.  Hijacked?

Not sure what the above poster is thinking when mentioning Optiplex 1st gen and Core i7.  Optiplex's go back much farther than that.  Would not recommend.

(edited)

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