DEAD: Dell Inspiron 530 for $239+ship (Pent E2180 + 2GB + 250GB + DVDRW)

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: HardWired
Lots of good info here on this good cheap box. Nice find OP.

I read the whole thread and I didn't see it asked but what is the highest CPU one could go to on this if getting the lowest end offered, that being the E2180. I understand jumping up to the bigger CPU/fsb option is going to get a faster stock FSB mobo (and are they always Foxcon?), but what is the fastest FSB/CPU supported when buying it with the E2180 config?

Also, anyone here ever do the bsel pin mod on this chip? Is it worth it? Piece of cake? Do tell...

Had no problems with an E8200, replacing the stock E2180. I would think E8500 is probably fine.

 

[msarp]

Antec earthwatts EA380 will fit . Excellent PS!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817371005

 

[skywhr]

will a pci-e 16 2.0 video card work on this base pc?
Also can I use a gddr3 card with this pc?

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: skywhr
will a pci-e 16 2.0 video card work on this base pc?
Also can I use a gddr3 card with this pc?

Yes, and yes. BUT, if the video card needs a 6-pin power connector, then no, not unless you replace the PSU. However, if you order the system with a Q6600, then it will comes with a better PSU with one 6pin power connector and dual 12V rails @18A.

 

[skywhr]

I was looking at this card

SAPPHIRE 100237L Radeon HD 3650 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

Someone on the board said the 3600 series would work in the case

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: skywhr
I was looking at this card

SAPPHIRE 100237L Radeon HD 3650 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

Someone on the board said the 3600 series would work in the case

That should be just fine. It doesn't require a 6pin power connector.

 

[HardWired]

Not having a 6-pin wire lead on your PSU does not keep you from running a card that requires one. You can get a molex to 6-pin adapter for a buck or less.

It's just that when you jump to a beefier card that requires the 6-pin, thats a sign that its a much more power hungry card and that you may have problems running it on a system w/ a lower end PSU. If everything else about the system is standard and your not running 4 HDD's and 2-3 opticals, etc., the Dell PSU will running most any single core video card. Even the big boys that require a 6-pin power connector.

 

[middlehead]

This sure would spank my current desktop. I've got XP and Vista licenses I could scrounge to put on it, but I'm tempted to get it just to dick around with Linux.

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: HardWired
Not having a 6-pin wire lead on your PSU does not keep you from running a card that requires one. You can get a molex to 6-pin adapter for a buck or less.

It's just that when you jump to a beefier card that requires the 6-pin, thats a sign that its a much more power hungry card and that you may have problems running it on a system w/ a lower end PSU. If everything else about the system is standard and your not running 4 HDD's and 2-3 opticals, etc., the Dell PSU will running most any single core video card. Even the big boys that require a 6-pin power connector.

There are no 4pin molex connectors. And a lack of proper amperage on the single 12V rail will keep one from running a video card which requires a 6pin power connector.

 

[JBT]

not bad at all

 

[HardWired]

Originally posted by: bamacre
There are no 4pin molex connectors. And a lack of proper amperage on the single 12V rail will keep one from running a video card which requires a 6pin power connector.

Really...no molex conns? Bummer. But you can run the big dog cards on single rail PSU's. Here's an example. Zippy

There are many PSU's on the market that claim to be dual/multi rail, but when you look at the actual build (see jonnyguru.com) you'll see they're combined and share the same wiring, etc..

Here's another Zippy (considered by many to be a quality PSU) w/ 30+ amps on a single 12v rail. Zippy 6460

But you're right. Ultimately whether its a 400w PSU or 1200w...in the end it's all about the amps.

Anyone here ever bench a Dell PSU for actual output? I'd be interested in the results.

 

[Chiropteran]

Showing an option to upgrade the CPU to Q6600 for $140 now, I don't think that option was showing up before. $399+shipping with the Core 2 Quad.

 

[Skipholiday]

ty op

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: Chiropteran
Showing an option to upgrade the CPU to Q6600 for $140 now, I don't think that option was showing up before. $399+shipping with the Core 2 Quad.

Good deal. That should also guarantee receiving the better PSU, which will allow you to add a higher-end video card like an HD4850 or 8800 GT.

 

[Skipholiday]

This deal is still good,,,

 

[Freewolf]

nice

 

[Samus]

awesome

 

[daveybrat]

PNY 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

Here's the cheapest 2GB kit i can find to add to this computer. 3GB total would be perfect for this pc.

$36.99 w/free shipping for PNY 2GB kit and same speed (667) that's in the pc now.

 

[FlyPenFly]

If I order this with a Q6600, is still a better deal than assembling one myself?

How quiet/loud is this thing and does it put out a lot of heat? How many and what size drive bays?

I have a spare beefy ATX PSU and an old X1950 XTX that I hope to use on it.

 

[dman]

I've been looking for a Q6600 deal, but this isn't that great. To avoid VISTA I save $60, but I also wouldn't get +250GB HDD, +1GB RAM, +Wireless Nic, +Speakers (comparable system w/ 22" Display's on both). Basically VISTA is free if you need/want the extra hardware. This is just one example, but I'm sure others can be found. Not a bad deal, just make sure you compare against the other options as for 'free' you might just want that WindowsGenuine Vista, perhaps to use to run in a VM under ubuntu, or as a dualboot or something. Keep your options open that way.

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: FlyPenFly
If I order this with a Q6600, is still a better deal than assembling one myself?

Yes, IMO.

How quiet/loud is this thing and does it put out a lot of heat?

Very quiet, more so than one you'd build at this price point. Runs pretty cool, too.

How many and what size drive bays?

Room for two optical drives, two internal HDD's, one 3.5in floppy (or media card reader).

SATA only for all optical/hdd's. There are no PATA connections.

I have a spare beefy ATX PSU and an old X1950 XTX that I hope to use on it.

If you order with a Q6600, then the included PSU is probably just fine. I don't remember that card needing anything but a 6pin power connector.

 

[FlyPenFly]

Awesome, thanks for the info, looks like I'll probably be ordering one. Anyone try OSX on it?

So is that 3 3.5" bays and 2 5.25" bays?

Going by newegg prices, CPU alone is already $185.

It comes with a 250gb drive, 2gb RAM, motherboard, fans, PSU, and a good case so this is definitely a pretty good deal it seems.

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: FlyPenFly
So is that 3 3.5" bays and 2 5.25" bays?

One 3.5" bay and two 5.25" bays.

 

[hrbngr]

hello,

could anyone that has installed XP on this system reply w/the basic drivers neeeded to make this happen?

im guessing you need:

chipset (8.3.0.1013, A00 version)
audio (realtek alc888 ? )
modem (conexant driver)
network (Intel 825xx 10/100 driver)
Sata ? (matrix storage mgr) do i need this or can i just get a regular sata driver?


would this do it? I would be installing xp sp2 on it.

 

[msi1337]

Dell Inspiron 530 XP Drivers