Newer Windows OS on an older computer?

[bitBYbit]

I would like to upgrade a Dell Inspiron 530 (Intel Core 2 Duo E4600 @ 2.4 GHz) from Windows Vista to Windows 8.1 -- is this CPU compatible? Could this CPU comfortably handle this upgrade? The system has 3 GB of RAM, therefore 32-bit upgrade.

 

[HardReset]

CPU is compatible. Windows 8.1 is not much heavier than Vista.

 

[mailpup]

You are going to have trouble with drivers. Dell doesn't support Windows 8.1 for this model with compatible drivers.

 

[bitBYbit]

How do you feel about "DriverPack Solution?" I have never used it, but heard good things about it. Has anybody used this, and what are your thoughts?

 

[MaikuTech]

Yes its perfectly fine to upgrade it, just make sure you do a full clean install, from the installation wizard in windows 8.
Saves you from bringing in unnecessary windows 6 "vista" registry problems and screw ups
I highly recommend you have on 4gb of ram on your dell system.
Windows 8/Windows 10 is fat and chunky.it relies much on system ram to do everything.
https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-clean-install-windows-8-or-8-1-2626254