Would I have to replace the original HD or can I add an additional HD to increase HD storage? The unit has the original 128 MB VVIDIA 8300GS, INS installed. Depending of answers, if any, I'll be asking lots more!
Also...can someone explain to me the difference in storage capacity if I were to add additional memory boards and NOT add increased Hard disk storage?
I don't want to purchase a new computer at this time.
Thanks!
You PC should have room for a couple more HD. You can buy an additional HD. A 500 GB is about $60. Newegg and TigerDirect would have them. What most of us here do is put your Windows and programs on your C: drive and put your documents, spreadsheets, pictures, songs etc on the D: drive. This way it keeps your C: small so that if you ever replace your OS, it makes your job a bit easier.
Memory boards (as in, system memory) don't add storage capacity -- although, in a pinch, you could use them for RAMdisk -- but that is only temporary.Also...can someone explain to me the difference in storage capacity if I were to add additional memory boards and NOT add increased Hard disk storage?
I assume you mean NVidia 8300 GS rather than VVidia 8300 GS. That's likely your video card.
I think the Inspiron 530 is from about 2007 and has all SATA connectors for the hard drive. You should confirm that, but if so, you should be able to add a 1 Terabyte hard drive easily enough. You can currently buy a Western Digital Blue of that capacity for $60 at Newegg.com.
Memory is a different topic. I'm guessing you currently have 1 or 2 GB of DDR2 memory. You can get by with that, but Windows 7 is more comfortable with 4 GB.
You'd have to decide if you want to keep Windows on the existing hard drive or move Windows to the new larger drive. When it's all done, you could have just the newer larger hard drive or instead have both the old and new hard drives installed.
You have 2 extra sata ports for adding drives so you can add second drive or just replace the drive you have installed now. The Inspiron 530 can support memory up to 4GB. You can upgrade the CPU alsp with any of these.
Processors:
Yorkfield Quad Core, QX9300,2.5G, 6MB, 1333 FSB
Yorkfield Quad Core, Q9450, 2.66G, 12MB, 1333 FSB
Yorkfield Quad Core, Q9550, 2.83G, 12MB, 1333 FSB
Yorkfield Quad Core, Q8200, 2.33G, 4MB, 1333 FSB
Yorkfield Quad Core, Q9550, 2.83G, 12MB, 1333 FSB
Yorkfield Quad Core, Q8300, 2.5G, 4MB, 95W
Yorkfield Quad Core, Q9400, 2.66G, 6MB, 1333 FSB
Yorkfield Quad Core, Q9650, 3.0G, 12MB, 1333 FSB
Kentsfield Quad Core, Q6600,2.4G, 8MB, 1066 FSB
Depending on what you have in it now you could get a pretty good speed upgrade for very little cost as these cpu's are very cheap on evilbay.
Thank you for the informative and concise advice and info. Very much appreciated. :)
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