[RESOLVED] Need advice on upgrade

[david004]

Hi,

I'm after some advice on upgrading a DELL Dimension E520. Specs are below.

It seems to be struggling with Google Sketchup, Adobe Premier, and other graphics editing software.

The PC was purchased in Mar 2007 and I'm hoping it will last another couple of years.

Is it possible to upgrade the processor and if so, which one would be best bang for buck?

I believe I have two spare memory slots on my motherboard. Must I purchase exactly the same kind of memory as is already installed? Must I get it from DELL? If not, what is the best value?

Would the graphics card be limiting the graphics editing software?

Any recommendations on getting this PC running faster would be much appreciated.

Regards,

David

SPECS
Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor E6300
(1.86GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB)

2GB (2X1GB) NECC Dual Channel DDR2
533MHz SDRAM Memory

256MB PCIe™ x16 ATI Radeon™ X1300
Pro w/TV-Out, VGA and DVI

[Steve R Jones]

Welcome to HWC

Which OS are you running?

A better video card would probably be the thing to do...But you'll probably have to upgrade the power supply too.

[jankerson]

Yes you can upgrade the CPU and the Graphics card, but as Steve said you will need to upgrade your power supply too.

Your ram is fine at 2GB.

[david004]

Hi,

Thank you very much for the replies. I am running Windows 7. One thing that really bugs me is when I try and do a large batch edit of photos. Just to rotate 20 or so photos at the same time can take over a minute.

I recently started playing with Premier, and it is really struggling.

Could you recommend any particular products. How do I know what is compatible with my PC?

Thanks again,

[jankerson]

Hi,

Thank you very much for the replies. I am running Windows 7. One thing that really bugs me is when I try and do a large batch edit of photos. Just to rotate 20 or so photos at the same time can take over a minute.

I recently started playing with Premier, and it is really struggling.

Could you recommend any particular products. How do I know what is compatible with my PC?

Thanks again,

You can get your Power Supply HERE.

Graphics cards are easier.

Something in the ATI 3000 series with 512mb of memory.

[Technoplume]

I was looking at the spec on the Dell web page. And it look like a nice machine except for the on board video card. Witch is a fine card to run office software but you need more power for video editing paired whit a fast Hardrive.

It has a PCI -E X16 slot so he can put in a better card.

[david004]

Hello again,
Please can I have some more help with this decision. (All Costs are Australian dollars)

CPU
Current: Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor E6300 (1.86GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB)

Option 1. Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 (3.16GHz), LGA775, 1333FSB, 6MB Cache, ATX - Cost = $250
Option 2. Intel Core 2 Quad Q9400 (2.66GHz) LGA775, 1333FSB, 6MB Cache, ATX - Cost = $256.
Option 3. Intel Pentium Dual Core E6300 (2.80GHz), LGA775, 1066FSB, 2MB L2 Cache, 45nm, 65W, ATX - Cost = $102


Video Card
Current: 256MB PCIe(TM) x16 ATI Radeon(TM) X1300 Pro w/TV-Out, VGA and DVI
Option 1. HIS Radeon HD 4350 - 512MB DDR2, 64-bit, VGA, DVI, HDTV, HDCP, Heatsink - PCI-Ex16 v2.0 (600MHz, 800MHz) - Low Profile Edition - Cost = $90

Option 2. HIS Radeon HD 4670(Rev. 2) - 1GB DDR3, 128-bit, VGA, DVI, HDMI, HDTV, HDCP, Fansink - PCI-Ex16 v2.0 (750MHz, 1700MHz) - IceQ Edition - Cost = $111

Option 3. Gigabyte Radeon HD 4550 - 512MB DDR3, 64-bit, DVI+VGA, HDMI, HDTV, HDCP, Heatsink - PCI-Ex16 v2.0



PSU
Current: Unknown?

Option 1. Corsair VX550W - 550W Power Supply, ATX12V 2.2, 120mm Fan, 6x SATA, 1x 6-pin PCI-Ex, 1x 6+2-pin PCI-Ex Connectors - Cost = $118

Option 2. Corsair TX650W - 650W Power Supply, ATX12V v2.2, 120mm Fan, 8x SATA, 2x PCI-E 8-pin - Cost = $148



Questions
1. Are all these components compatible with my motherboard? (particularly the Quad processor).
2. Is it good value for money to pay $150 (Intel E8500) for an additional 0.36GHz and 4MB L2 Cache?
3. Is a 2.66GHz Quad better than a 3.16GHz Duo? (The most intensive work I do is photo and video editing with the adobe Creative Suite, and I don't play games)
4. Which, if any, are the best options?

Thanks again

David

[Shinma]

Did not find any listing for official support of 45nm processors.
Good luck on support check with Dell.

[Technoplume]

compare to the E6300 I would say yes for the E8500. Has for quad core it also depend on the software, but bottom line is 4 core is better then 2. I would go whit the E8500, and the ATI 4670 (because of the ram and 128bit) and the TX650W.

[david004]

Well then that is what I will go with.

Thank you all very much for the help.