This system is a 2006 system and with some push can run Windows 7 64 Bit. It is not advised to spend any money upgrading this system, as it is cheaper to purchase a more capable Second Hand Business Desktop.
System Upgrades
Operating System License
Windows 7 is no longer for sale and it is not recommended to run Windows 10 on this model.
Service Manual
Memory Upgrade:
This system supports 8 GB of RAM 2×(2×2 GB Modules)
amazon.com Crucial CT2KIT25664AA800
amazon.co.uk Crucial CT2KIT25664AA800
Solid State Drive 3.5 "
Upgrading to a Solid State Drive
BIOS
OS Updates
System Utilities
Chipset
Video
- Intel Q965 [Variant A]
- ATI AutoUpdate [Variant B]
- nVidea AutoUpdate [Variant C]
Ethernet
- Intel 825xx Gigabit Platform LAN Network Device [Windows 7]
- Intel 825xx Gigabit Platform LAN Network Device [Windows 8.1]
Audio
For Windows 8.1 the audio driver is inbuilt to the OS and the registry file or older Sigmatel Driver should not be installed.
- Sigmatel [Variant A]
Install the registry file and then the audio driver. New untested.
- Creative Labs Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer [Variant B]
Card Reader
Dell Media Card Reader with Integrated Bluetooth Module (CAB-200), Media Card Reader 19-1 with Integrated Bluetooth*
Input
- Logitech Setpoint [Not all systems have a Dell/Logitech Keyboard]
Hi this link appears broken: Crucial Part: http://www.crucial.com/upgrade/Dell-memory/Dimension+%2f+Dimension+XPS/Dimension+E520-upgrades.html
I'm assuming it's pretty important for upgrading an old dimension E520 from XP to Windows 7.
Crucial updated their website and all my previous links on my driver sets got broken. I've updated the link for you. DDR2 RAM has unfortunately increased in price and I would recommend at least 2-4 GB for a Windows 7 64 Bit install.
If you are looking at the cost of maxing it out an 8 GB kit ($120) and a Windows 7 64 Bit license ($100) and a SSD ($120)… then it may not be worthwhile you should compare it to new Dell hardware:
http://www.dell.com/us/p/inspiron-3847-desktop/pd?ref=PD_OC
You can probably save on the Windows license by installing Windows 10 Technical preview and using its evaluation until its released at which point in time you can take any advantage of promotional prices.
Thanks for all this very useful information. I have a Dell Dimension e520 of which I had increased the RAM to 4Gb a hile ago. With the system running on 32 bit Windows 7, only 3Gb of RAM used to be addressed, leaving 25% unused. I wasn't aware that this machine would also work with 64 bit Windows and installed a 64bit version of Windows 7 which then used the full 4Gb of RAM. Free upgrade to Wondows 10 did not work well initially because the installed Radeon AMD x1300/x1550 video card would not handle the very peculiar graphics during the Win10 installation process. I then installed an MSI Radeon HD5450 video card (cost about 32 Euros) and Windows 10 installed perfectly well. All the drivers are up-to-date and the Dimension e520 is now running very reliably on Win10. Thanks once again for the useful tips!