Is there a very low budget upgrade that I can do with this old computer?

[PCrealgewd]

I want to help a friend out but I don't want to spend more than $100-120ish on this project. I know, that is very little room for upgrade but I don't intend to turn the old clunker into a gaming beast. I know $100 wont go that far. She is currently paying student loans so she probably won't have the money for a new computer for a few years. I just want to do something nice and play games with my friend again, even with shitty graphics.

Here are the specs. Yeah, it's pretty wonky.

Dell Inspiron 570

AMD Sempron 140 processor, 2.7 GHz

It only has 2g of ram. I definitely want to bump that up.

ATI Radeon HD 4200

It runs windows 7, 64 bit.

And I'm guessing by what's in the tower that it's probably only like a 300 w PSU unit.

I'm just wondering with this set up if there is one or two parts that I can replace with current mediocre pieces to make the most out of the money I have.

Like, I was thinking of spending $40 towards 4g of RAM and then putting $60 elsewhere put I don't know what would be most appropriate. I'm feeling limited by the 300w PSU and obviously the budget. I don't know, guys. Anything would help. Thanks.

 

[Okedokey]

The best use of that money will be to buy an SSD.

Even a smallish one will provide by far the best increase in speed and user experience. That will also negate the need for more ram as the page file will be on the SSD which is much faster than a normal HDD (which is where the slow down in low ram comes from)

Then reinstall Windows 7 on the SSD, and put all other files and storage on the existing hard drive.

By far the best use of $120.

Here is an option. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820239045 120GB SSD @ $99.

Spend the extra $20 on something like 1GB RAM

Please post full system specs (e.g. actual motherboard) to ensure that the RAM will work before buying.

All in all $100 - $120 will give you an SSD and extra RAM, and with a Windows 7 install, it will be like night and day better.

OR

If you want gaming performance, you could go

HD7750 - $90 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161403
and a

Corsair 430M - $30 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139049

Still not a bad option, for $120. Will give you significantly more gaming and power supply.

Two choices, first, if you want fast overall computing, second if you only care about gaming. Best is to do both

 

[Currency]

From the research I've done she, or you, could drop in a better CPU and still have enough for the memory upgrade, although this option may blow the budget.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103680

Phenom II X2 550 3.1Ghz dual core, $64.99, has been tested with the motherboard offered in the Dell Inspiron 570. The motherboard is, 4N3H3 Motherboard from what I've found.


Mushkin Enhanced Essentials 4GB (2 x 2GB) $41.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146748

According to Newegg, the above mentioned processor only supports DDR3 memory @ 1333Mhz, that is why I selected the kit above. A single 4GB ram stick runs around $33.99 so a little more money could be saved, but I do not know if the motherboard supports dual channel memory, maybe but maybe not.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231310


If she, you, didn't opt for the CPU upgrade a GPU could be put in but it may stress the power supply unit which is most likely 300 watts, or smaller. My emachines came with a 160 watt PSU.

Hopefully this helps somewhat and provides a little guidance or which direction to go. Will continue poking around for detailed motherboard specs, which I couldn't find on Dell's website.

 

[Okedokey]

From the research I've done she, or you, could drop in a better CPU and still have enough for the memory upgrade, although this option may blow the budget.
.

Not a good idea. You are changing a 45W TDP CPU for an 80W TDP with a rubbish PSU.

My options will also provide MUCH more bang for buck in terms of either gaming or computing speed.

 

[Currency]

I honestly don't know enough about thermal design power to debate, perhaps this isn't the place but if you have time please explain why this would cause a problem since Dell's website shows they tested all the way up to Phenom X4's in this system without issues?
I know that some motherboards won't work with higher TDP processors than those it was designed for, example, my Emachines W3052 with it's 2.0Ghz Sempron cannot support anything over 45watt TDP if I remember correctly.

Thanks

 

[Okedokey]

Because the PSU is old and crappy and putting potentially (approx.) an extra 3A on the 12V rail is a very very bad idea. In addition, that extra heat will further reduce that PSU's ability to maintain a 12V rail stability. Not a good idea.

So for gaming that CPU will make very little difference as it will be bottled by that GPU.

So the best course of action is to either reduce power consumption and increase performance with RAM and SSD OR, improve PSU and GPU for gaming.

But for sure, if he/she can afford it, all three options will make a marked improvement.

 

[spirit]

If you really must spend money and time upgrading it, Okedokey's suggestions are good. If you're not interesting in gaming I'd get the SSD, even on SATA 3GB/s it will be a lot faster than a regular 7200 RPM HDD.

If you can, get the most RAM that your board will support. Probably 4GB or maybe 8GB, but most likely 4.