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Active: 699 users

Upgrading a dell Inspiron 531s

Forum Index > Tech Support
Post a Reply
Mordanis
Profile Blog Joined January 2011
United States893 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-24 18:41:05
June 24 2011 18:40 GMT
#1
OK, I got screwed on upgrade timing. I was going to get a new computer right about now, but it was delayed about 6 months. My current setup is a Dell Inspiron 531s, a slimline desktop (I bought it from my granpa 2 years ago for $100, I never chose slim TT), so there is no room for anything but pci cards, and there is only one pci express. There are 2 more RAM slots however
+ Show Spoiler +
CPU
AMD Sempron LE-1300--- single core @ 2.3 Ghz

GPU
Integrated (LOL)
64MB GeForce 6150SE nForce 430 (Dell)

RAM
2 GB

Motherboard
Dell Inc. 0RY206 (Socket AM2 )

HDD
132 GB

OS
Win XP 32 bit

Basically, SC2 is really laggy whenever I try to play, and I would like to stop that. My idea is to upgrade the CPU and GPU with these

Video Card: Gigabyte ATI Radeon HD4350 512 MB PCI-Express Video Card
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800

Will these work with my current rig for another 6 months and let me play SC? Also, I've heard that there is some difficulty installing pci cards onto slimline desktops. Is there anything you know about this? Do I need to add anything else to avoid a bottleneck? Are there any better deals for pci video cards or processors? Any help is greatly appreciated :D
I love the smell of napalm in the morning... it smells like... victory. -_^ Favorite SC2 match ->Liquid`HerO vs. SlayerS CranK g.1 @MLG Summer Championship
skyR
Profile Joined July 2009
Canada13817 Posts
June 24 2011 19:05 GMT
#2
That's a PCI-E x16 graphics card but you keep mentioning you need a PCI card? Are you sure you aren't just referring to a low profile card? These will most definitely fit in a slim tower.

Those upgrades won't make Starcraft II playable. You basically need an entirely new configuration.
TadH
Profile Blog Joined February 2010
Canada1846 Posts
June 24 2011 19:27 GMT
#3
On June 25 2011 04:05 skyR wrote:
That's a PCI-E x16 graphics card but you keep mentioning you need a PCI card? Are you sure you aren't just referring to a low profile card? These will most definitely fit in a slim tower.

Those upgrades won't make Starcraft II playable. You basically need an entirely new configuration.



It might not be playable by our standards, but with those upgrades, I estimate around 15 POSSIBLY 20 FPS on all the lowest settings, and maybe 10 FPS during fights. If that.

So it may be a step up from what you're getting now.
Mordanis
Profile Blog Joined January 2011
United States893 Posts
June 24 2011 19:30 GMT
#4
I opened up the back and there is no place for any additions to the computer except for 2 old pci and one pci-e x16 slots. Also, I wouldn't say that sc2 is unplayable even with the current CPU and GPU, its just that the FPS drops down considerably during battles, so basically I just cant micro or macro during a battle. Except for that and the occasional AVG scan, it runs SC2 just fine on lowest settings.
I love the smell of napalm in the morning... it smells like... victory. -_^ Favorite SC2 match ->Liquid`HerO vs. SlayerS CranK g.1 @MLG Summer Championship
skyR
Profile Joined July 2009
Canada13817 Posts
June 24 2011 19:50 GMT
#5
I guess our definition of playable is a bit different. How much are you looking to pay for the graphics card?
Mordanis
Profile Blog Joined January 2011
United States893 Posts
June 24 2011 20:05 GMT
#6
under $40 would be the best, as I'm going to be given $700 (graduation money, gotta love it) towards a computer in about December. I'd prefer spend what I already have to have a better computer in the future than have a less-shitty computer now, so I'd like to save as much as possible. Also, the cheapest I could find any dual core over 2.4 GhZ (for the min requirements) is $45 without a heatsink or fan, so that is quite a bit of my budget for now. Basically I just want something so that I can micro at a platinum level on minimum settings. Long story short, I'm looking for the best deal without going over $50, but $40 would be much better.
I love the smell of napalm in the morning... it smells like... victory. -_^ Favorite SC2 match ->Liquid`HerO vs. SlayerS CranK g.1 @MLG Summer Championship
skyR
Profile Joined July 2009
Canada13817 Posts
June 24 2011 20:18 GMT
#7
The best option would be a Radeon HD5450 for $20 after mail in rebate: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150544
Mordanis
Profile Blog Joined January 2011
United States893 Posts
June 24 2011 20:38 GMT
#8
OK Thanks a lot for that, just a couple of quick questions, does a 64-bit video card work with a 32 bit processor, motherboard, etc.? Also, I notice that it doesn't have a fan, which might be problematic because there are only 2 small fans in my computer and they turn on rarely because the people who made this rig wanted it silent (good for old people like my grandpa). Should I look into getting more fans or better ventilation? My CPU is only at 22 degrees C, but my HD is up at 45.
I love the smell of napalm in the morning... it smells like... victory. -_^ Favorite SC2 match ->Liquid`HerO vs. SlayerS CranK g.1 @MLG Summer Championship
Myrmidon
Profile Blog Joined December 2004
United States9452 Posts
June 24 2011 20:47 GMT
#9
The 64-bit you see for the video card is the width of the memory bus between the GPU and the video RAM on board. It's just one spec about the internals of the card and has nothing to do with any other part of your system.

Most HD 5450 do not come with fans because they use something like 12W (a low amount) when stressed in a game. It's generally fine by itself without needing some special cooling assistance.

However, improving airflow in the case may be a good idea, particularly since your hard drive is already up at 45C. If you can replace a fan or add another, that may help. It's hard to say without seeing the layout of your case.
Mordanis
Profile Blog Joined January 2011
United States893 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-24 20:52:27
June 24 2011 20:51 GMT
#10
[image loading]
There you go :D

Anyways, thanks a lot SkyR and TadH, I'm very happy with the help you've given me. I am most grateful.

EDIT:
Didn't see that someone else had written that last little bit... Thanks to you too Myrmidon :D
I love the smell of napalm in the morning... it smells like... victory. -_^ Favorite SC2 match ->Liquid`HerO vs. SlayerS CranK g.1 @MLG Summer Championship
Myrmidon
Profile Blog Joined December 2004
United States9452 Posts
June 24 2011 21:06 GMT
#11
Where are there fans other than the CPU and power supply (or were those the two you were talking about)? Are there fan mounts anywhere? Maybe I'm hoping for too much in a slimline case.

Regardless, if it works now, it will probably work with a HD 5450 installed.
Mordanis
Profile Blog Joined January 2011
United States893 Posts
June 24 2011 21:17 GMT
#12
the CPU and PSU are it for fans, and there are 0 fan mounts elsewhere... I'd like to reiterate that I got this second hand :D
I love the smell of napalm in the morning... it smells like... victory. -_^ Favorite SC2 match ->Liquid`HerO vs. SlayerS CranK g.1 @MLG Summer Championship
pStar
Profile Blog Joined December 2010
996 Posts
June 24 2011 21:21 GMT
#13
I used to use a Radeon 4350 and a Athlon X2 265 3.3ghz and its absolutely playable.

You cant stream or anything obviously. but it got the job done.
lqd
Profile Joined May 2010
United States108 Posts
June 24 2011 21:39 GMT
#14
On June 25 2011 06:06 Myrmidon wrote:
Where are there fans other than the CPU and power supply (or were those the two you were talking about)? Are there fan mounts anywhere? Maybe I'm hoping for too much in a slimline case.

Regardless, if it works now, it will probably work with a HD 5450 installed.


there's an exhaust fan above the cpu

here's some better pics:
http://www.techenclave.com/pc-peripherals/how-open-dell-inspiron-531s-case-155532.html
i'm not a team
Myrmidon
Profile Blog Joined December 2004
United States9452 Posts
June 24 2011 22:01 GMT
#15
On June 25 2011 06:39 lqd wrote:
Show nested quote +
On June 25 2011 06:06 Myrmidon wrote:
Where are there fans other than the CPU and power supply (or were those the two you were talking about)? Are there fan mounts anywhere? Maybe I'm hoping for too much in a slimline case.

Regardless, if it works now, it will probably work with a HD 5450 installed.


there's an exhaust fan above the cpu

here's some better pics:
http://www.techenclave.com/pc-peripherals/how-open-dell-inspiron-531s-case-155532.html


I'm still not seeing it. x_x

All I see are ventilation holes above/adjacent to the motherboard I/O shield, vents in the front about where the hard drive is mounted, and those three strips of vent holes above (parallel to) the CPU fan, for intake to the CPU cooler.
lqd
Profile Joined May 2010
United States108 Posts
June 25 2011 07:20 GMT
#16
On June 25 2011 07:01 Myrmidon wrote:
Show nested quote +
On June 25 2011 06:39 lqd wrote:
On June 25 2011 06:06 Myrmidon wrote:
Where are there fans other than the CPU and power supply (or were those the two you were talking about)? Are there fan mounts anywhere? Maybe I'm hoping for too much in a slimline case.

Regardless, if it works now, it will probably work with a HD 5450 installed.


there's an exhaust fan above the cpu

here's some better pics:
http://www.techenclave.com/pc-peripherals/how-open-dell-inspiron-531s-case-155532.html


I'm still not seeing it. x_x

All I see are ventilation holes above/adjacent to the motherboard I/O shield, vents in the front about where the hard drive is mounted, and those three strips of vent holes above (parallel to) the CPU fan, for intake to the CPU cooler.


Yea that fan. I just figured top exhaust seemed more likely than intake. So there's the cpu fan, psu fan, and the case fan. Still pretty poor cooling, but the 5450 isn't a heat monster either.
i'm not a team
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