Recently I've been thinking. Instead of building a new PC (which is kinda out of my budget at the moment) I could just replace the existing parts in my PC with better ones. The other day, I replaced my 2GB of RAM with 4GBs, and my performance has significantly improved already. (I can't go past 4GB of RAM since my computer is 32-bit.) So here's my specs at the moment:
Computer: Dell Inspiron 530
RAM: 4GB
Processor: Intel Pentium Dual Core E2200 @ 2.20 GHz
GPU: ATI Radeon HD 3400
Power Supply: Dell stock, 300 watts
Yeah, kind of shitty at today's standards. So I do want to upgrade some things. I have a few questions, though:
Would I be able to upgrade to a mid or high range graphics card with my current power supply?
If no to the question above, would I have any issues fitting a new power supply into my computer's case? Are they all different sizes, or is there some kind of standard size for all power supplies?
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that 32/64bits is determined by your processor. Therefore, if I were to upgrade to a 64bit processor, would my computer just become 64bit?
Are processors even upgradable?
(Sorry if some of these questions sound n00bish, I don't have much experience with this stuff.)
Your 32/64bit is not determined by your processor, it is determined by your OS, however 32bit processors did exist but they are all old, as are 64bit, today we use x86 processors. You would not be able to upgrade anything else on that PSU, besides Dell makes crappy PSU's, so I wouldn't trust putting anything in there.
Your 32/64bit is not determined by your processor, it is determined by your OS, however 32bit processors did exist but they are all old, as are 64bit, today we use x86 processors. You would not be able to upgrade anything else on that PSU, besides Dell makes crappy PSU's, so I wouldn't trust putting anything in there.
Wait, so would that mean I could install Windows 7 64-bit on my computer, and it would work?
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I don't feel like putting anything witty here, sorry.
It woudn't be worth it on such a bad computer, but the answer to your question is yes.
I'm sorry, but the answer may not be yes. Processors have different Bit architecture, so if he has a 64-bit processor he could install both 32-bit or 64-bit windows. If he has a 32-bit processor, he can only install 32-bit processors. Just because the architecture code is referred to as "x86" does not mean it is more Learn your facts before spreading them...
Your 32/64bit is not determined by your processor, it is determined by your OS, however 32bit processors did exist but they are all old, as are 64bit, today we use x86 processors.
EVERYONE, 32-bit and x86 processors ARE THE SAME THING!!! 32-bit processors aren't all that old, 64-bit became really popular around when Vista came out. Even though it can be determined by the OS, that would only be true if he had a 64-bit processor which can handle both types, so if he has 32-bit he is 100% limited to 32-bit things.
Computer: Dell Inspiron 530
RAM: 4GB
Processor: Intel Pentium Dual Core E2200 @ 2.20 GHz
GPU: ATI Radeon HD 3400
Power Supply: Dell stock, 300 watts
Yeah, kind of shitty at today's standards. So I do want to upgrade some things. I have a few questions, though:
Wait, so would that mean I could install Windows 7 64-bit on my computer, and it would work?
It woudn't be worth it on such a bad computer, but the answer to your question is yes.
I'm sorry, but the answer may not be yes. Processors have different Bit architecture, so if he has a 64-bit processor he could install both 32-bit or 64-bit windows. If he has a 32-bit processor, he can only install 32-bit processors. Just because the architecture code is referred to as "x86" does not mean it is more Learn your facts before spreading them...
EVERYONE, 32-bit and x86 processors ARE THE SAME THING!!! 32-bit processors aren't all that old, 64-bit became really popular around when Vista came out. Even though it can be determined by the OS, that would only be true if he had a 64-bit processor which can handle both types, so if he has 32-bit he is 100% limited to 32-bit things.