Upgrading old hardware (several questions)

[RyanFeud]

Hi guys,

I am currently looking into upgrading my old Dell Inspiron All In One 2310.

It's a few years old now with fairly outdated specs. I was going to buy a new rig flat out but with my first child on the way I'm trying to save as much cash as I can for at least the next 12-18 months.

I am a full time Lab technician but I have been doing graphic design part time since Uni so my PC has been used for web browsing and running Adobe PS, ID, Is etc - nothing too taxing. I have recently started some video editing and now as I suspected, my pc is showing its age. Windows 8.1 has not helped much either.

I will be upgrading from 4 to 8 gigs of RAM this week, that's a given. Any cost effective ideas to get my system up to speed? New processors etc that would be compatible with my 2310? I have a budget of £200-£250

Thanks in advance for any help guys.
Ry

 

[thebluebumblebee]

with my first child on the way I'm trying to save as much cash as I can for at least the next 12-18 months

Not sure you understand this child thing. They stick around longer than that.
I don't think you will get any benefit moving to 8GB, or at least very little.
What processor do you have? Those came with Core i5, i3 and Pentium P6100 CPU's. If you have one of the lessor CPU's, you should be able to upgrade it to the i5, if you can find it.

 

[Frag_Maniac]

The problem is trying to get actual MB CPU socket spec on that thing. I've read everything from LGA775 to Core i5, the latter of which has several socket variants (1150, 1155, 1156, etc) There's also at least two low power socket types for i5, 1050 and 1100, and if it's one of those, you'd be very limited on what you could upgrade to.

I've even seen one of the actual MB replacements for it, but the CPU socket spec wasn't listed.

 

[Sasqui]

Not sure you understand this child thing. They stick around longer than that.

lol... "child" and "saving" in the same sentence?

The problem is trying to get actual MB CPU socket spec on that thing. I've read everything from LGA775 to Core i5, the latter of which has several socket variants (1100, 1150, 1155, etc) There's also at least two low power socket types for i5, 1050 and 1100, and if it's one of those, you'd be very limited on what you could upgrade to.

I've even seen one of the actual MB replacements for it, but the CPU socket spec wasn't listed.

Yea, can't really give advice without detailed system info. Here's a start: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/what-is-system-information#1TC=windows-7

 

[thebluebumblebee]

I based what I said on this review, not on hands on experience.

Yea, can't really give advice without detailed system info.

Agreed. Screen shots needed. CPU-z would also be a good source.

 

[RyanFeud]

Haha, no the little one is sorted financially - the big expense is a new family car lol

Anyways, yeah the current processor is a Pentium P6100 (outdated as I said)

Do you guys reckon a compatible i5 and 8gb of ram would tide me over for a while or am I clutching at straws here?

Would prefer to keep this little guy because of the portability/big 23" screen. I can't provide a system info because I'm in work.

 

[Sasqui]

Haha, no the little one is sorted financially - the big expense is a new family car lol

Anyways, yeah the current processor is a Pentium P6100 (outdated as I said)

Do you guys reckon a compatible i5 and 8gb of ram would tide me over for a while or am I clutching at straws here?

Would prefer to keep this little guy because of the portability/big 23" screen. I can't provide a system info because I'm in work.

I say your going the right route. Definitely confirm all the system information and post when you can. In the meantime, I came across this:

https://communities.intel.com/thread/24809

Supposedly, it's a "Socket G1 / Socket rPGA988A" and these are all the compatible chips: http://www.cpu-world.com/Sockets/Socket G1 (rPGA988A).html

You probably want to stay within the same thermal envelope, last column 32w. You could push your luck and try an i7 but it may draw too much power and produce too much heat. Best bet would be anything from an i5-520M to i5-580M. Cores and cache stay the same, but the frequency will give you a good kick in the pants.

The one thing you'll definitely need to confirm is if the motherboard will support those chips!

 

[Jetster]