Win XP, 2.8GHZ, 1gb ram. Any point in upgrading?

M

m118

New Member
I have a Dell d530. Win XP, 2.8ghz pentium 4, socket 478 512kb level 2 cache. Booting harddisk is S-ATA, and current memory is:

DIMM1 ( ) : 256MB - DIMM
DIMM2 ( ) : 512MB - DIMM
DIMM3 ( ) : 256MB - DIMM

DDR-SDRAM PC-2700 (166MHz) - [DDR-333]

Unfortunately, the crucial memory system tool has twice made my computer crash with the Blue Screen, and im struggling to find my model in their list too.

Any comments on whether anything more than 1GB would be benefitical to my computer? If so, how much and what speeds?

If not, thats ok.

Thanks!!
 
i would say its time for a new one, you can pick up a cheap dual core for about £150, and you can build a brand new amd base unit for £145
 
jamesd1981 said:
i would say its time for a new one, you can pick up a cheap dual core for about £150, and you can build a brand new amd base unit for £145
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my concern is that with that ill need a new PSU. Im not sure whether my current one will be enough/compatible. Which will be another ~£15-30.

My computer is adequate enough for the moment. but the Boot up is a little slow, and the computer is a beast in terms of weight.
 
no the build i mentioned the brand new amd, includes everything every piece brand new from case to psu, hdd etc, i put it togethor on ebuyer.com, now that was parts only if your building it yourself, but even having to pay someone £50 to build it for you, it still keeps you under £200 for brand new system, or as i said browse gumtree etc, you can buy a good used intel dual core system for about £150
 
jamesd1981 said:
no the build i mentioned the brand new amd, includes everything every piece brand new from case to psu, hdd etc, i put it togethor on ebuyer.com, now that was parts only if your building it yourself, but even having to pay someone £50 to build it for you, it still keeps you under £200 for brand new system, or as i said browse gumtree etc, you can buy a good used intel dual core system for about £150
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I have been toying with the idea of a whole new build. but because my current setup is still functioning its hard commit to the idea.

however, i did find a great £22 microATX case on ebuyer. Small, attractive enough and cheap but only has a 200W psu. I will look at gumtree and see whats around.

If I do commit to the idea of building a new one, then I will definitely put A LOT more research into.

thanks for the help
 
have a look at there mid tower cases start from £10 and you get loads of extra bays for extra hdd, disc drives etc, and form about £30 they do some great looking gaming cases.
 
jamesd1981 said:
have a look at there mid tower cases start from £10 and you get loads of extra bays for extra hdd, disc drives etc, and form about £30 they do some great looking gaming cases.
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Im keen on keeping the whole comp as small as possible. My bedroom is pretty small and this current tower stands out a mile.

The AMD bundles look most appealing, and safest option too in case it doesnt boot etc...
 
What do you think of this setup. Provisionally, because i have to get the funds but this looks like the cheapest legit mini atx i can do: (exc P+P)

ZOTAC NF610I-K-E nForce 610i Socket 775 VGA Out M-ITX Motherboard = £43.91
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/191713

Cheapest intel processor for a 775 socket = £29.28
http://www.dabs.com/products/intel-celeron-430-s775-1-8ghz-800fsb-4L19.html?refs=4294951884

Kingston 2GB 800MHz/PC2-6400 Memory Unbuffered Non-ECC CL6 1.8V (i THINK this is compatible) = £29.00
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/148853

Case = Sega Saturn. ~£20-25

Total = ~£122-130
EXC mini ATX PSU which is something Im unsure of.

I have the SATA HD, 2 IDE HDs, but I can back up this data seperately.

What do you think of the setup guys? Good enough for Windows 7 with a speedy boot up time? Wont be playing games, but I do want a fast running machine.

BUT what do you think of this mini ATX:

http://www.dabs.com/products/asrock-dual-core-atom-330-945gc-intel-ddr2-mitx-7489.html?refs=52240000

its a dual core 1.6. Its hard to know whether this is actually powerful or not. I miss the days of Ghz = speed and nothing else to consider.
 
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jamesd1981 said:
what do you think of this build all items form ebuyer

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/205560 £29.61

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/191127 £56.37

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/91137 £23.92

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/173804 £39.99

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/176026 £11.99

total cost £161.88
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its the integrated atom processor im unsure of. ive read up some on it and i read a lot that its aimed at internet users.

i watch dvds, avis, whilst browsing the internet etc.. and im worried it will struggle, and whether windows 7 will work too

thanks for the continued input
 
well the only part i haven`t used before is the memory, the case is very good quality, the board and cpu seems to cope well.

my son has it in the mini itx i built him for his room it runs vista which is more power hungry the 7, and he sits on facebook while doing other things like dvds, music etc, it is only slightly slower at really big tasks like installing a full service pack.

but day to day its easily usable, and his only has 1gb ram at mo so with double the memory should perform even better.
 
jamesd1981 said:
well the only part i haven`t used before is the memory, the case is very good quality, the board and cpu seems to cope well.

my son has it in the mini itx i built him for his room it runs vista which is more power hungry the 7, and he sits on facebook while doing other things like dvds, music etc, it is only slightly slower at really big tasks like installing a full service pack.

but day to day its easily usable, and his only has 1gb ram at mo so with double the memory should perform even better.
Click to expand...

promising, very promising. i shall investigate this board more

thanks for the help
 
I quick read, and the same thing pops up. HD video will be a no go. At the mo I have nothing HD, but i assume in a year or so media will start to become higher res... which is a concern as to whether it will be powerful enough. People are saying the intel built in graphics are poor.

What did you think of my original setup? dabs + ebuyer combo?
 
asrock is pretty similar to the intel one has a similar atom cpu, so if you want more power i would go for the zotac board with a standard 775 socket but if you doing that i wouldn`t scrimp on a celeron go a bit extra and get a dual core.

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/159452

are you going to fit a gpu, or just run onboard
 
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