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Xankos · 08-23-2011, 03:49 AM

Here is my situation. I have an older computer I would like to upgrade as cheap as possible. Here is what I am working with...

Its a Dell Inspiron 531, not sure which exact model.

MOBO- Asus M2N61- AM2 Socket, DDR2 Ram, PCI-E x16 and x1 no 2.0 support(This should be able to tell what I can and can't use)

Processor- AMD Athlon x2 5000+

RAM- 2.5 Gig DDR2 800 I believe, if not it supports up to 800

GPU- Nvidia 6150SE nforce 430 onboard lol...

Power Supply is like 250 or 300W.(I know this needs to be upgraded)

HDD- 320 gig(not sure what brand)

OS- Windows Vista(6.0, build 6002) 32 bit

I know I wont be able to use the most up to date technology or even semi up to date, but I can't afford to get a new Computer right now, but want to get the most out of this one.

For a price range, I would say 100-200USD max...

If anyone could just point out reasonable upgrades for each part I would highly appreciate it.

SnOwBunZz · 08-23-2011, 10:22 AM

I'd recommend to save up those 100-200USD to get into your new PC savings.

You can get a decent gaming machine for about 500USD.

Xankos · 08-23-2011, 05:06 PM

I will be saving for a new PC. Its just really hard to save atm. Two kids and the job is not really getting any better. Not to mention college.

Saving for a computer is more of a long term goal. I would just like some input on the most optimal parts this older computer can handle. Something to boost my gaming quality now. I can get a new computer later, around march of next year.

SnOwBunZz · 08-23-2011, 06:38 PM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130679
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371026

Your GPU will be bottlenecked in most newer games, but it can serve as a backup card later on and perhaps even as a dedicated PhysX card. Though you'll need another nVidia card for that in your next build, as AMD cards don't work with it.

PSU may be a bit overkill for now, but I had in mind to let you put that PSU in your next rig. At least it's not thrown away than.
Just keep your old PSU so you can reuse your current rig for whatever you want.

Xankos · 08-23-2011, 07:32 PM

Thanks for the input. That PSU is rather overkill, but I see how it can transfer over to my next rig. Especially since most new computers come with piss poor PSUs.

Will a GPU card that needs PCI-E x16 2.0 work with a MOBO that is not 2.0 equipped? If so, what would the effects be due to not having 2.0?

SnOwBunZz · 08-23-2011, 07:46 PM

It will work. It will just operate at a lower speed, which you won't notice much.

08-23-2011, 03:49 AM	#1 (permalink)
Xankos Cloud's Hair Spray Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 70 Reputation: 10	Computer Upgrade Here is my situation. I have an older computer I would like to upgrade as cheap as possible. Here is what I am working with... Its a Dell Inspiron 531, not sure which exact model. MOBO- Asus M2N61- AM2 Socket, DDR2 Ram, PCI-E x16 and x1 no 2.0 support(This should be able to tell what I can and can't use) Processor- AMD Athlon x2 5000+ RAM- 2.5 Gig DDR2 800 I believe, if not it supports up to 800 GPU- Nvidia 6150SE nforce 430 onboard lol... Power Supply is like 250 or 300W.(I know this needs to be upgraded) HDD- 320 gig(not sure what brand) OS- Windows Vista(6.0, build 6002) 32 bit I know I wont be able to use the most up to date technology or even semi up to date, but I can't afford to get a new Computer right now, but want to get the most out of this one. For a price range, I would say 100-200USD max... If anyone could just point out reasonable upgrades for each part I would highly appreciate it.

08-23-2011, 10:22 AM	#2 (permalink)
SnOwBunZz Nyan nyan ni hao nyan Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: The Flanders Posts: 8,018 Reputation: 319	I'd recommend to save up those 100-200USD to get into your new PC savings. You can get a decent gaming machine for about 500USD. __________________ [My Anime List] \| [last.fm] \| [xfire] \| [Steam] If anyone would like me to build a rig, I'd prefer it to be in a thread in the tech section rather than PM. Thank you.

08-23-2011, 06:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
SnOwBunZz Nyan nyan ni hao nyan Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: The Flanders Posts: 8,018 Reputation: 319	http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130679 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371026 Your GPU will be bottlenecked in most newer games, but it can serve as a backup card later on and perhaps even as a dedicated PhysX card. Though you'll need another nVidia card for that in your next build, as AMD cards don't work with it. PSU may be a bit overkill for now, but I had in mind to let you put that PSU in your next rig. At least it's not thrown away than. Just keep your old PSU so you can reuse your current rig for whatever you want. __________________ [My Anime List] \| [last.fm] \| [xfire] \| [Steam] If anyone would like me to build a rig, I'd prefer it to be in a thread in the tech section rather than PM. Thank you.

08-23-2011, 07:46 PM	#6 (permalink)
SnOwBunZz Nyan nyan ni hao nyan Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: The Flanders Posts: 8,018 Reputation: 319	It will work. It will just operate at a lower speed, which you won't notice much. __________________ [My Anime List] \| [last.fm] \| [xfire] \| [Steam] If anyone would like me to build a rig, I'd prefer it to be in a thread in the tech section rather than PM. Thank you.

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08-23-2011, 05:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
Xankos Cloud's Hair Spray Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 70 Reputation: 10	I will be saving for a new PC. Its just really hard to save atm. Two kids and the job is not really getting any better. Not to mention college. Saving for a computer is more of a long term goal. I would just like some input on the most optimal parts this older computer can handle. Something to boost my gaming quality now. I can get a new computer later, around march of next year.

08-23-2011, 07:32 PM	#5 (permalink)
Xankos Cloud's Hair Spray Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 70 Reputation: 10	Thanks for the input. That PSU is rather overkill, but I see how it can transfer over to my next rig. Especially since most new computers come with piss poor PSUs. Will a GPU card that needs PCI-E x16 2.0 work with a MOBO that is not 2.0 equipped? If so, what would the effects be due to not having 2.0?