Gateway 710S vs. Dell Dimension E510

[dar124]

Hello, I'm hoping to get some upgrade advice here from the forum.

I'm currently using a Gateway 710S as my desktop PC, but I was given a Dell Dimension E510 PC and am thinking of switching to it. I think both of these PC's are similar in age and possibly similar spec wise?? But for some reason I've always liked these Dell's. I use my desktop PC for downloading (movies, music, and torrents), processing all my media into MCM and then transferring it down to my WHS server, word processing tasks and web browsing.

I'm not currently having any major issues with the Gateway (one of the fans is getting loud and I got a larger SSD that I'll prob upgrade to) but no major day to day problems with it. I realize that both PC's are a bit old, but I wanted to check to see if one was better than the other, or if one had more upgrade options available?? I'd even consider upgrading either one's processor. Right now the Dell is a bit stripped down, but whichever one I'd use would run W7 Ultimate, have a SSD, video card, maxed out ram and a low end audio card installed in it.

I've posted some screen shots below of the BIOS / System info from both PC's. Thanks in advance for any info.



Gateway PC

Dell PC

 

[E4g1e]

My recommendation is neither of those PCs: Your current Gateway is already 10 years old, and thus is not properly supported by any OS newer than Windows XP (which is now no longer receiving any further support from Microsoft). If you do try to install Windows 7 on that system, you will be restricted to the 32-bit version in that PC - and even then, Windows setup may hang indefinitely or your Windows installation may become partially crippled because Windows 7 drivers for some of the critical motherboard components do not exist at all.

As for that Dell, I wouldn't recommend spending a single penny on that PC: Even if the CPU is 64-bit capable, the chipset isn't (it is limited to 4GB maximum - and buying new DDR2 RAM for that old machine is now much more expensive than the performance benefit is worth).

As a result, I'd strongly recommend saving your money for a completely new system. And do you know that mainstream support for Windows 7 will end this coming January? After that date, updates will only be issued for critical security flaws and operational bugs, and phone support will be switched from a free model to a pay-per-incident one. What's more, software developers are now no longer writing for Intel's old NetBurst architecture (which was used by the Pentium 4 and Pentium D) any more.

And you effectively cannot upgrade the CPU on your Gateway any further: It is a Socket 478 motherboard, and there are no CPUs in existence faster than your current CPU that are worthwhile (the only CPUs ever manufactured for Socket 478 that are faster than your current 3.2C P4 ever manufactured are the Gallatin-based Pentium EE, which is not worth its going price these days in terms of performance improvement, and the recalled 3.4GHz Pentium 4).

 

[defaultluser]

If you HAVE to pick ONE OF THE TWO, I'd stick with the Gateway because you already have 3GB of DDR1 ram for it (the most essential element for any desktop PC), and hyperthreading is already enough to make a single-core P4 usable for a *basic* desktop. You can use that until you can afford a REAL upgrade (even the Dell $300 special will run circles around this thing, and come with it's own copy of Windows).

While the dual-core of the Dell is tempting, it uses a different socket and DDR2, so you can't really consolidate.

I agree with E4g1e: don't waste a dime upgrading either of them. As soon as you get fed-up enough with the poor performance to stop being cheap, buy yourself one of these:

http://www.dell.com/us/p/inspiron-3...ddost302&model_id=inspiron-3647-small-desktop

The processor in that is over TWICE as fast as the crappy dual-core on the Dell, comes with a beefy 4GB ram, and has a chance in hell of actually being compatible with modern video cards (I would not expect much luck with the Dell's first-gen PCIe slot). It would also play more favorably to the SSD you're currently wasting on your Gateway.

 

[dar124]

Yea, I agree with the above responses. Guess I was just trying to do things as cheap as possible But I've been noticing more and more that it's time for an upgrade!!! So let me throw this plan out there and see what everyone things about it.

I'd like to reuse this case, SSD, HD and W7 Ultimate OS. I'd get another motherboard / processor and also pick up a decent PSU.

I looked online a bit today, but I'm not exactly sure what to look for in a motherboard, other than needing to fit into this current case. There seemed like a few brands stuck out ASRock, MSI & Gigabyte. But I'm not sure about pros cons etc for each. So I guess I'd like to get suggestions on some options. I'd be using this PC mainly for downloading (movies, music, and torrents), processing all my media into MCM and then transferring it down to my WHS server, word processing tasks and web browsing. So I wouldnt think that I'd need anything crazy, but I'd like it to be a good balance between cost and performance. Hopefully there'll be some good deals out there this time of year. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

[PornoSatan]

*edit*
Just checked, your E510 won't support Core2 or 8GB DDR2. That starts with the 965G Express and you're on a 945G Express chipset.
*edit*

For what it's worth, I have a Dell Dimension E520 sitting here, and it supports Core2Quads and 8GB DDR2, so it has reasonable upgrade capability. Maybe the E510 is the same? If you don't have Core2 era and DDR2 on hand, I wouldn't bother buying parts to upgrade it. Also you're looking at dealing with the BTX form factor on the older Dell Dimensions, which can be a pain in the ass.

This E520 started off as:

Pentium 4
512MB DDR2 533
80GB HD
Integrated Video
300W PSU

I tossed in my parts and now its:

Core2Quad Q6600
4GB DDR2 800
1TB Western Digital Blue
Radeon HD4830
500W PSU

It's behind the times still, but considering when it came out and what it started with, it's actually pretty capable now. Was actually thinking about putting a 750ti in it.

 

[dar124]

Sorry, I was talking about re-using my current Gateway case (in my signature). Putting a new motherboard, processor & PSU in there and just re-using my SSD, HD & OS. Just figured that I could save some $$ by only having to pick up a handful of new parts.

I liked the look of the Dell case, but I think replacing some parts in the Gateway would be the simpler way to go. So I guess that I'd like to get some recommendatiosn for a new motherboard / processor that would work in the Gateway case.

 

[PornoSatan]

I do think its pretty rad you're making use out of the old school gear though.