Windows 7 Windows 7 on a Dell Dimension 5100?

[TechieJustin]

Hi folks, I have a relative who is running Windows XP Media Center on a Dell Dimension 5100.
In my opinion MCE is somewhat "quirky."
He expressed interest in upgrading to Windows 7.
How well would Windows 7 run on this machine? From what I understand it doesn't run all that bad on older hardware, but I'd like to get a confirmation on this specific machine.

• Type: General Purpose, Value
• Processor Family: Intel 5 Series (Pentium 4)
• RAM: 512 MB
• Storage Capacity: 160 GB
• RAID: No
• Graphics Card: nVidia GeForce 6200
• Primary Optical Drive: Dual-Layer DVD+/-RW
• Secondary Optical Drive: None
• Monitor Type: Link Removed - Invalid URL
• Screen Size: 15 inches

 

[busydog]

Hi folks, I have a relative who is running Windows XP Media Center on a Dell Dimension 5100.
In my opinion MCE is somewhat "quirky."
He expressed interest in upgrading to Windows 7.
How well would Windows 7 run on this machine? From what I understand it doesn't run all that bad on older hardware, but I'd like to get a confirmation on this specific machine.

• Type: General Purpose, Value
• Processor Family: Intel 5 Series (Pentium 4)
• RAM: 512 MB
• Storage Capacity: 160 GB
• RAID: No
• Graphics Card: nVidia GeForce 6200
• Primary Optical Drive: Dual-Layer DVD+/-RW
• Secondary Optical Drive: None
• Monitor Type: Link Removed - Invalid URL
• Screen Size: 15 inches

I've installed Win7 on lesser equipped computers but you might not like the responsiveness. Your 512 MB of RAM is the limiting factor. If you could upgrade the RAM to 1024 MB that would really help. Crucial.com says you could do that for as little as $36.

 

[Saltgrass]

There is a compatibility checker on the Win 7 site. It might tell you if there are some hardware or software problems.

Busydog is right about the Ram, according to Microsoft, 1 gig is minimum for a 32 bit install.