help computer people

[Lee_P]

Hi guys,

So my girlfriends mom is getting a new pc so she said we can have hers now its a new set up apart form the actually Pc thats old and is really slow. so all i want it for is to access the interent so would i be able to pay a computer shop todo some kind of hardware upgrade to speed the proccessing up? and how much ould this be?

thanks
Lee

[saxodan]

Better of buying a new pc, or reformatting the hard drive to gte rid of all the crap.

No point upgrading the processesor if the memory is crap etc etc

Better of just buying a new base unit

[srcnix]

Better of buying a new pc, or reformatting the hard drive to gte rid of all the crap.

No point upgrading the processesor if the memory is crap etc etc

Better of just buying a new base unit

No point upgrading the processor if the memory is crap?

Lee_P, when you upgrade a PC there are a good few pieces of hardware you can upgrade that will give you better performance:

Processor upgrade: A faster processor, 9 times out of 10 will increase the performance of processing data. The faster the processor (Not just in MHz but cache, capacitors, thickness and other variables) the faster data can be processed.

Memory (RAM): The more RAM you have the less accessing of the hard drive you need to do and as a result faster access of data. The faster the RAM the faster you can access that data.

Graphics card: A more powerful graphics card can help take the load of your processor and increase your graphics performance.

Hard drives: Faster hard drives (RPM) and higher cache levels will result in faster access (read and write) times. Also, the type of medium you're using (IDE, SATA, SCSI) will determine the throughput rate from your memory to HDD and back again, IDE being slower than SATA, SATA being much slower than uprated SCSI.

That's just the base of your system. You could also upgrade your sound card and network interface card(s).


Hope this helps.

[saxodan]

No point upgrading the processor if the memory is crap?




You know what I mean, whats the point of having the latest chip with 128 Ram.. not really worth it, the same with having a new chip and an old mother board...

Its all relative

[bloz]

Depending how old and slow you could just try some more RAM, and a format as above, depending on your processor and setup. Because going from say 256mb ram to 512 on Windows XP you should notice a nice difference.

[srcnix]

Depending how old and slow you could just try some more RAM, and a format as above, depending on your processor and setup. Because going from say 256mb ram to 512 on Windows XP you should notice a nice difference.
A big difference ;)

[Ste]

You can do alot, www.stepheneveriss.co.uk check out my FAQ's etc or send a message in! Generally format it and start over and it shouldn't be too bad! Oh and dont put norton on it

If you just want the net you can Put XP on and remove all the settings that make it look pretty and it will run fine...

256mb of ram / 20gb hdd / 1.6ghz CPU / that would be the ideal speed really and lower and it will run a bit pants....but for £100 quid on ebay you can get a decent machine!!!! -

If you need some upgrades etc drop an email to me direct and ill send you a few quotes to give you an idea.

[Clouds_mate]

if its an old pc, finding a shop or place thats specs the requirements you will need could be pretty clostly. May aswell buy a Mobo, Ram and Chip Bundle for around 100 sheets then use the hard disk and case etc from the old base unit

[Lee_P]

thanks guys well ill wait to get it then try giving it a good clean then ill come back and throw a load more questions at you

[devilsadvocate]

To be honest a PC shop will the rip the arse outta ya. Most charge $$$ for labour. Buy an upgrade book from waterstones, be like £10-£20 and do it yourself, will save a lot of money.

As already said, a RAM upgrade will help but it will depened on how old the PC actually is. Its possible they may not even make your RAM anymore so you may have to buy second hand or Ebay it...

A new processor will be another option but again it will depend on how old the PC is becuase they may not make new processors for your motherboard, again you may have to go second hand or ebay it.

RAM upgrares are VERY easy and if you PM me i can guide you through it, assuming you have bought the correct RAM. Processor upgrades are more complex but can still be done if you are confident enough.

[RootDogg]

Plus, depending on how old the system is the processors might not be on the market anymore and you'll have to look at ebay to pick one up....

To be honest, go with the ram upgrade and save up for a new one :P