Should I add RAM?

Punk

Punk

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Staff member
Hello,

My computer is running slower and slower because new programs come out with minimum specs meeting exactly my computer...

The last update from Steam has given lots of lag and sometimes I have to push the on/off button because it freezes..

If I add let's say 512 MB of RAM, will it do any good or should I wait to buy a new processor (don't really want to but if it's the only thing to do..). The problem is that if I buy a new processor, I might have to buy a new Motherboard as well... $$$$ goes up really fast..

PS: I really have not much money, and not enough to buy a new computer...
PS2: Computer specs on the sig
 
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My video card is ATI Radeon Xpress 200.

Is it not enough? is this the reason of my game lags and freezes?
 
Yeah, it came with my computer when I bought it... Don't know what you mean by integrated lol.

I have a sticker saying "Graphics by ATI Radeon Xpress 200". Next to this one, I have another sticker saying "AMD Sempron" and the XP sticker.
 
Memory prices are pretty cheap these days, it would be a good time to get rid of your old ones and get a 2x1GB kit which will give you a good increase of performance. Mixing and matching memory modules is a no-no because of different chips used and different methods of SPD can cause instability issues and errors, actually decreases your performance even if it doesn't throw off errors.
 
I play MohPA, CS:S and other games sometimes like the RCTycoon 3. Those are the only games that are demanding a lot from my specs.
 
webbenji said:
I play MohPA, CS:S and other games sometimes like the RCTycoon 3. Those are the only games that are demanding a lot from my specs.
Click to expand...

Getting a graphics card would drastically improve your game play, ALOT more than 512mb of ram would do, especially if you get a semi decent one.
 
Which one do you recommend?

I have about 40 euros to spend on the graphics.
I also would like to buy two 512 MB RAM sticks ( a combo as Crimsonite suggested) for about 30 euros.

Can you guys help me find the compatible ones with my computer?
I'm real noob when it comes to computer parts... :o
 
Another 512MB of RAM to get your system to 1GB is probably enough for what you do. Then you can use what's left of your budget to get a better video card. Before you go upgrading open your system up to make sure you have space, it sounds like you have a prebuilt machine so the case may be pretty small on the inside.
 
Ok. Your PC has 2x256MB sticks of RAM installed and 4 slots. You have 2 slots free, but I would get memory in pairs unless you want to lose dual channel. Before someone comes along and says semprons are S754 and don't support it, this one is S939 and does :P

If you had to chose between dual channel and a better video card I would go with a better video card. You have a free PCIe 16x slot but check the power requirements of any video card you get. You should be OK with how much you plan to spend but HP/Compaq generally put as small of a PSU as they can get away with in.
 
I would spend about 40 dollars on the Video Card, and 35 dollars on the memory. I was thinking of getting two 512 MB RAM and remove the old ones. Or should I do 512+256 and 512+256? Will it still be dual channel?

Is dual channel really going to improve my speed?
 
webbenji said:
Yeah, it came with my computer when I bought it... Don't know what you mean by integrated lol.

I have a sticker saying "Graphics by ATI Radeon Xpress 200". Next to this one, I have another sticker saying "AMD Sempron" and the XP sticker.
Click to expand...

Means "its in the motherboard"... Please tell me you wern't serious about that?

It's integrated... If it came with your computer.. Defenitely need an upgrade... 7300 7600 at the least.
 
oscaryu1 said:
Means "its in the motherboard"... Please tell me you wern't serious about that?
Click to expand...

As you might have noticed, I ain't good in computer parts, and I really never cared until recently about how my computer was built... I am a total noob on building a computer.

I'm only good in removing malwares (starting to be pretty good :D), internet settings/ website coding.

So in brief Yes I was serious...:rolleyes:
 
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