Upgrade or New Build?

[Kuroshio]

Hello everyone,

The other day I recieved a Dell Ispiron 530 for free and I would like to know is it worth it to upgrade or not, if so what should I use to upgrade for my use. I would like to use it for gaming and movies. It's connected to a 1920x1080 LCD TV.

It's running
Operating System: Vista Home Premium 32bit Service Pack 2.
Memory: 2X1GB 667MHZ DDR2-667/PC2-5300
Motherboard ?
CPU: Intel Core 2 4400 2.GHZ
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce 8300GS (Needs to be replaced)
Hardrive: 320GB Seagate
Audio: Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer SB0730

Here is a Dell parts list associated with this pc.

Thanks

1 DJ301 Kit, Mouse, Universal Serial Bus, 2BTN, Optical, Lead Free Black
1 DJ425 KEYBOARD..., 104, UNITED STATES..., UNIVERSAL SERIAL BUS..., MULTI-MEDIA..., LITEON..., BLACK...
1 UN495 Kit, Software, MS Office Home and Student-2K7, English
2 PN424 Dual In-line Memory Module, 1G 667M, 128X64, 8, 240, 2RX8
1 GM504 Display, Flat Panel Display 24W, 2407WFPHC, Black, Dell Americas Organization
1 W5775 Assembly, Cable, ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY ATTACHMENT PACKET INTERFACE..., Matrix Neo, Desktop
1 HX852 Assembly, Floppy Drive, 1.44MB Half Height, BARE, Sony
1 CR582 Assembly, Compact Disk Read Write/Digital Video Disk DriveCombo
0 83535 INFORMATION..., PART, ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY ATTACHMENT PACKET INTERFACE..., DEVICE
1 XN463 GUIDE..., TECHNICAL SHEET..., CLIENT..., CONT-INFO
1 JY172 PLACEMAT..., GETTING STARTED..., DIMENSION..., DAO/BCC
0 149DF INFORMATION..., PREPARATION MATERIAL..., DEVIATION..., PRECISION WORKSTATION..., INCREASE..., #2
1 WX093 Card, Graphics, 128, 8300 MRMGA11B, NV
1 JF495 Modem, V.92, Data Fax, Internal SON2, Lead Free, Dell Americas Organization
1 XK514 Kit, Software, Mcafee, 8, Compact Disk Drive, English
1 XU819 Hard Drive, 320G, S2, 7.2K, 16M Unleaded, Seagate-GL
1 CR585 Assembly, DVD+/-RW..., 16X, Half Height, BARE, Toshiba Samsung Storage Technology
0 83535 INFORMATION..., PART, ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY ATTACHMENT PACKET INTERFACE..., DEVICE
1 TH760 Kit, Speaker, 120V, A525, Lead Free, Black, Dell Americas Organization
1 DC094 Assembly, Cable, Serial Ata Optical, Matrix, smith, mini Tower
1 HX425 Kit, Software, Overpack, VHP32 A01, Digital Video Disk Drive England
1 WR645 Processor, E4400, 2.00, 2M, Core Duo-Conroe, Lavaca
1 WN585 INSTRUCTION..., DEVIATE L6 TO L5+, Pentium 4 Prescott DT, 3.0GHZ, 1 MEGB, 800FSB...
1 JY167 Assembly, Heatsink, Fan, Mini Tower
1 CN481 ASSEMBLY..., CHASSIS..., MNTW, Pentium 4 Prescott DT, 3.0GHZ, 1 MEGB, 800FSB..., NON PFC..., PWA INTEGRATED...
0 01323 INFORMATION..., NO ITEM

[jdeb]

You could upgrade the memory, are there any slots open?
Watt is the make/model/wattage of the power supply?
What is the service tag# ?
Are you using onboard video now?
What games do you play?


I would hate to see you sink too much money in old technology. It appears the CPU has already been upgraded according to your list.

[Kuroshio]

Originally Posted by jdeb You could upgrade the memory, are there any slots open? Watt is the make/model/wattage of the power supply? What is the service tag# ? Are you using onboard video now? What games do you play? I would hate to see you sink too much money in old technology. It appears the CPU has already been upgraded according to your list.

I think its a 300w power supply and the service tag# is 7XK6GD1

I'm using the NVIDIA Card but sometimes I get line across the screen randomly and when I try to play sim city I get lines and it freezes. So I think its going bad.

This might help: http://reviews.cnet.com/desktops/del...g=mncol;subnav

I found more info about the MOBO:http://www.foxconnchannel.com/produc...d=en-us0000319

[glc]

Not worth trying to upgrade that computer to try to play modern games.

[jdeb]

Originally Posted by glc Not worth trying to upgrade that computer to try to play modern games.

I agree, you would need more memory, new power supply, and video card. Save that 250.00 and put it towards current technology. You can remove the defective video card and hook up to the integrated until you save up for a new build. When you have the money let us know your budget, intended use and we can give you a recommended build.

[Kuroshio]

Ok thanks. I will come up with a budget and some plans for a new build.

[glc]

You can remove the defective video card and hook up to the integrated

Maybe. Dell has a nasty habit of blanking off and disabling the onboard video when a computer is ordered with a video card. If all you need is a video card to get you by for a while that can play movies, get one of these:

Newegg.com - MSI N210-MD512D3/LP GeForce 210 512MB 64-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card

It appears the CPU has already been upgraded according to your list.

Nope.

1 WR645 Processor, E4400, 2.00, 2M, Core Duo-Conroe, Lavaca

[jdeb]

Originally Posted by glc Maybe. Dell has a nasty habit of blanking off and disabling the onboard video when a computer is ordered with a video card. If all you need is a video card to get you by for a while that can play movies, get one of these: Newegg.com - MSI N210-MD512D3/LP GeForce 210 512MB 64-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card Nope.

I seen this at the bottom of OP
1 CN481 ASSEMBLY..., CHASSIS..., MNTW, Pentium 4 Prescott DT, 3.0GHZ, 1 MEGB, 800FSB..., NON PFC..., PWA INTEGRATED...