Justinx14

Alright, well I just upgraded my computer from 1G of RAM to 4G. I also plan on upgrading my HD from a 80G to a 1TB. Here is the one I want to upgrade to CLICK.

So:
1. Is that a good Hard Drive to get? Also, will it be compatible with my Dell E520?

2. Should I use Norton Ghost to do the HD cloning process, or is there a better program to use for that?

3. I currently have the stock PSU that comes with the computer. I was wondering if I should upgrade it to one that has more power?

Thanks In Advance

Phædrus2401

That is an excellent hard drive, Western Digital is a very reliable brand and that is a good model, though unless you're saving a lot of music and movies to your computer, it will take you a *long* time to fill it up. However, it requires a SATA interface and some computers over ~5 years old have only an IDE interface. Looking the computer up on Dell's website only says that it supports two 320GB hard drives (it probably has the Western Digital Caviar Black 320GB version in a standard HDD cage, so if you take it out the 1TB should fit). I don't know if your computer has IDE or SATA or both, so I can't help on compatibility.

I don't trust any product by Norton, personally. After bad experiences with Norton 360 on my brother-in-law's computer (identifying everything BUT the virus as a virus...) I've decided that Norton just isn't worth messing with. Try googling "freeware hard drive cloning program" (freeware because it's free and it's *often* made by enthusiasts who probably use the program themselves).

RAM and hard drives don't require much power, so it's unlikely you'll need a new PSU to run them. If you plan on making any other changes, I would consider one. Dell's website says you have a 305 watt PSU, and Dell PSUs are ****, so if this were my computer I'd get a decent quality 450 watt PSU (though I would never buy this computer in the first place), but if it works now it should be able to power your HDD and RAM as well.

wrench97

For the ram and hard drive upgrade no you don't need a new PSU, for what it's worth Dell's PSU's are decent units that will power the PC in stock form for many years there just isn't a lot of head room for high power up grades(video cards) and numerous external usb devices.

Acronis True Image is one of the better image programs, WD has a program called Data Life guard of Dos the will copy your existing drive to the new one> http://support.wdc.com/product/downl...sid=53&lang=en

Justinx14

So from what you read on Dell it said my computer can use 2 320G Hard Drives? What exactly does that mean if I put the 1TB in there? Will it not accept it or what happens?

Should I give Dell a call and see what they say?

HD_Monkey

No idea what this refers to. There is no manufacturer mandated limit on hard drive capacity.

A 1TB HDD should require no more power than a drive of lesser capacity. It just doesn't work like that. The only power supply consideration would be in adding the additional drive and wrench97 has already covered that.

You should have no problems with the 1TB.

Justinx14

That's what I was referring to, sorry about that.

Alright, so if I go with the Acronis True Image program for the cloning process what exactly do I do to transfer it to the new HD?

HD_Monkey

Hey no problem. Just wanted to avoid confusion. The Acronis software is very user friendly and you should have no problem using it's cloning wizard.

It will ask you for the disk to be cloned and the destination drive (new drive). Sorry can't give you exact steps right now as I am running raid 5 and Acronis doesn't recognize it as more than one disk.

Get the drive and install along with Acronis then check back and we would be happy to walk you through it if necessary.

Justinx14

Alright, will do.

Thanks for the help guys.