Windows 7: An old fart needs help to keep up with grandson.

ignatzatsonic I hope you do not think this request is rude? Could you please tell me what I should ask for when I shop for the items you suggest. The information above could be copied and presented to the salesperson but I will be stuck if he wanted clarification on anything. If you don't mind, and it is not a time consuming chore, I will be very grateful for your help.

From one old fart to another. I would like to complicate things. In adding memory, be sure that the memory you add is exactly the same as what you already have, or buy compltely new memory. Memory is rather cheap right now. Secondly, you apparently have a 300 watt PSU. In buying a graphics card, make sure the power requirements of the card as well as everything else installed in your computer will not overload your power supply.

Thank you very much for your input essenbe. Doubling my memory by putting in the same as I have already is a good tip but I'm lost by the 300 watt PSU and the possibility of overloading my power supply. How would I know what my system would be capable off?

While others may have different opinions, I would find a PSU calculator and put in the info of your system now. it will tell you what size PSU you need now, or put another way, how much power your system is currently pulling. When looking at video cards, they will usually tell you how much power they pull and some even tell you the minimum PSU requirements. Next, after deciding on the new video card and ram, go back to the power calculator and add those components and see if they fall under the size of your current PSU.

Just for your info. I have a Dell 580s. I wrestled with some of the same problems you are facing now. That is the reason I have the system I am running. I considered most of the suggestions you have received. New ram, decent video card, PSU requirements, and even a new CPU. I considered those costs. That is when I realized that for just a few more dollars I could have a new and better system than if I had made those upgrades to the Dell. I have no idea of your financial situation or the costs of components in your country, but You may want to look at the situation in that way.

There is a power calculator here. This site is in the USA, so prices will not be the same, but while on this site you can look at some video cards and the details. When you find one you are interested in, just check prices in your country. Sorry, but I am not familar with the sites in your country so I provided you with what I an familar with.

Thank you for that valuable suggestions - It makes sense to enquire the price of single components versus the price of a new upgraded computer. I will definitely look into this and I thank you for that suggestion.

All the best to you and your clan - Cheers and take care.

The easiest thing for you to do is to order directly from Crucial.com online. It's guaranteed to be compatible.

Go to that website and enter Dell 530 into their configurator. That will lead you to 6 choices for compatible RAM that differ only in size. You want the 1 GB size and you need 2 sticks. They are 19.99 each plus postage.


Look here:

Computer memory upgrades for Dell Inspiron 530 Desktop/PC from Crucial.com

If you cannot or will not order from Crucial because you are in the UK, the next best thing is to write down those specifications I listed in my earlier post and take them to a reliable local dealer. Get a known brand: Corsair, Kingston, Crucial.

Do NOT, Do NOT get talked into "fancy" RAM with heat spreaders etc. Don't get talked into something that you cannot verify as 1.8 volt RAM. You need 2 sticks of ordinary DDR2 RAM with these specs: 240-pin DIMM, 1.8 volt, non-ECC of 1 GB capacity. It can be PC-2 5300 or PC-2 6400.

Here are the Crucial.com part numbers:

1 GB stick of PC-2 5300: Part #: CT700764

1 GB stick of PC-2 6400: Part #: CT763013

Get 2 of them; either will work fine.

Edit:

Here is some compatible Corsair RAM from a reliable UK supplier:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...d=8&subcat=144

It 34.99 pounds for the kit of two 1 GB sticks.

That is absolutely great thanks a lot for that advice - I will visit the site now and I will keep a copy for reference. Blessings to you and your clan.

Am I searching on the right track ignatzatsonic? It is a British site

Note the edit I made to my above post regarding a UK source for memory.

Regarding power supplies:

Here is a fairly reliable calculator:

eXtreme Power Supply Calculator


You use the drop down lists to enter your components and it spits out a recommended PSU watt rating.

You need to decide on a video card before you use the calculator. If you only move up to a mid level card (say under 75 pounds in price, you may not have to change power supplies. If you go beyond that, you might.

Decide on the card first. Start a thread on that if you need help with it.