New Computer- Dell Inspiron 531 AMD

[njaykaplan 10+ year member]

Looking to upgrade it, and wondering what i can do about the processor. The motherboard is a RY206. I got it from a pawn shop, and i have 30 days to return it, i'm not sure if i'm going to keep it unless i can put a quad core amd in it. If i can't, i might look into replacing the motherboard if i can reuse some of the components. I like the casing though, easy to swap everything out and came with a processor fan and one on the back of the case as well, plus the built-in power supply fan.

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[njaykaplan 10+ year member]

bump

 

[Scoobydoo 5,000+ posts]

What do you do that requires/utilizes a quad core CPU?

Or are you one of those people that think just cause it has two extra cores it will be faster at everything? If you are then you are 100% wrong

 

[njaykaplan 10+ year member]

I'm really just looking for something for gaming, think i can get much more out of a computer dedicated to my TV vs xbox360 or PS3. I've tried playing Saints Row 2 and GTA4 with a nice graphics card, and it still didn't play as smooth as i expected. The only people i've talked to who have run it smoothly, even at low settings, are people with quad core cpus. Plus on Craigslist, i can find one reasonably cheap locally, and i bought this computer planning on upgrading the 2 year old Dual core 2.0. And i kinda do think it will be faster at certain things, i'm sure not at everything, but as games come out some will take advantage of the extra cores.

 

[Scoobydoo 5,000+ posts]

If your looking to upgrade and game an oem pc isn't a good choice

Unless you got a killer deal on that pc I would take it back and use the money to build a dedicated gaming pc

 

[njaykaplan 10+ year member]

If your looking to upgrade and game an oem pc isn't a good choice
Unless you got a killer deal on that pc I would take it back and use the money to build a dedicated gaming pc

260 including tax with a lcd monitor, wireless keyboard, speakers, and mouse. I figure i can use a quad core, since with intels i know i could've swapped it out for a Q6600. I can return it for 30 days, but i'm not looking to spend anywhere near a grand on a computer, and every time i try to write down a computer to put together it ends up being 600-800 dollars. I figure i can find a quad core for 100 or so used locally, upgrade the power supply, hard drive, and a high powered mid-priced graphics card.

 

[Army-Killa]

I dont think that dell motherboard gonna let you put a quad core in it. Theres not alot of info on it either. Of you put a v card into it what one was it? Also any PSU ugrade for the card?

 

[domllama 10+ year member]

This is socket Am2..I would leave it with a dual core 5000+ or whatever it comes with?Put in a nice PCI express card like a GTX 260..and bump to 4GB ram..you should notice a big difference in performance..like stated above unless you have applications that are even designed for multiple cores (3, 4) then you're wasting money. So keep it dual core and look for those extra components and could have a nice little system for under 450$. my .02

Maybe it would be nice to know what types of games you plan on playing..cuz then you could even go with something like a GTX 250 which is about 100$ on newegg..and 4gb ram should cost around $80..thats cheap for a decent gaming PC with very minimal upgrades, add a better psu (this one is rated @ 300w, squishy)

Or you could buy all new components and case and build your own PC if you're up to the challenge.

 

[njaykaplan 10+ year member]

It has a 375 watt power supply at the moment, and a 2.0 gh processor. AM2 and AM3 are not compatible? A few games i've tried to play will operate much smoother with a quad core. GTA IV and Saints Row. I'm also getting into the call of duty 4 and 6, but that doesnt require any more computer than i have. I currently use a 9400gt as a graphics card, and i'm probably going to pick up a gtx or a 9800 gt. I only picked this one up for my dads computer, since i was using his and it has a 375 watt power supply as well. I'm also going to step the computer up from 2 gb of 667 mhz memory to 4 gb 800 mhz memory.

 

[njaykaplan 10+ year member]

It has a 375 watt power supply at the moment, and a 2.0 gh processor. AM2 and AM3 are not compatible? A few games i've tried to play will operate much smoother with a quad core. GTA IV and Saints Row. I'm also getting into the call of duty 4 and 6, but that doesnt require any more computer than i have. I currently use a 9400gt as a graphics card, and i'm probably going to pick up a gtx or a 9800 gt. I only picked this one up for my dads computer, since i was using his and it has a 375 watt power supply as well. I'm also going to step the computer up from 2 gb of 667 mhz memory to 4 gb 800 mhz memory.

I just googled it, and wikipedia says I can put a AM3 into a AM2 motherboard but not vice versa. Anyone confirm this? i would've thought it'd be the other way around, but this is good for me at least. I'm just planning on picking up a quad core on craigslist most likely, always some good deals on there.

 

[njaykaplan 10+ year member]

bump