Upgrading my Computer

[Vinylman]

Here are the specs on my current computer I use to drive my printer and plotter.

CPU: AMD X2 Dual Core 64bit 4200+ AM2

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-M55 SLI AM2 2000mhz FSB

MEMORY: 2GB DDR II 533Mhz.

GPU-VIDEO CARD: nVidia GeForce 7600GS 256 MB PCI-Exp

The computer is about 5 years old.


I cannot afford to completely replace this unit at this time!

SO!

What changes to the existing parts can I make to "speed up" the performance?

Will additional Ram help? What size? What Price?

Will a new Video card help with the "speed up" process? What would be your recommendations. Where are the best deals for these changes?

Thanks to the Gurus' here on Signs 101

 

[SightLine]

Video card is not really going to help much of anything other than gaming. Depending on your operating system (I'm going to venture to guess it's 32bit) you could max out the ram which will probably be 4GB (with about 3.25gb actually usueable by Windows - not going to try to explain this lol). The motherboard can probably take a faster processor. That and the ram is about all you have - might be able to go higher on ram if you want to upgrade Windows to a 64 bit version.

You will probably have to find a used processor on eBay to upgrade that - ram shoudl be easily available. Being 5 years old - it's pretty much outdated. The third thing that might add some speed woudl be a more modern and faster hard drive but then again you will probably hit controller limitations on the motherboard. I hate to say it but it's a waste of time in my opinion. Anything you do to upgrade it is not going to make much of a noticable difference. Save your spare change for 2 months and add that to your current upgrade budget and you can buy a completley new machine that will blow it away in speed (even upgraded).

Edit to add a Dell... - it's nothing spectacular but for a hair over $300 the machine pictured would blow your current system away. Dell outlet often has halfway decent machines pretty reasonably priced. You would probably spend at least half as much upgrading the ram and processor and close to the same if you upgraded Windows as well on your current system. Probably even better deals and options if you look around some more and maybe other will give some too.

 

[royster13]

What is you budget for new parts?....

 

[Vinylman]

Update to supplied info

I am running Windows XP Pro ver.2.0

It is extremely stable, and I do not want to change OS because of the inherent problems with incompatibility with various graphics programs I do NOT want to have to upgrade.

I think this is another reason why I have not upgraded the computer at this time.

If others can make constructive suggestions they are greatly appreciated.

As to a budget, I can afford to replace the computer up to perhaps 550-600 dollars, but for the reasons mentioned, would prefer to stay with my existing system, UNLESS that becomes redundant

 

[SightLine]

I see your reasoning and understand. Yes if some of your applications are older you could run into issues with a newer version of Windows. I'd still suggest replacing the system. That will come with a price though - reinstalling everything. When the new machine comes in, format the hard drive, install XP Pro, then all of your programs. Painful process. Eventually you will have to.

The next option will be to move forward on the upgrade path for the current machine. I'll check the specs for the motherboard and see exactly what is the fastest processor it supports. With XP you are going to be limited on ram so I'd upgrade that to 4GB. The board may support faster ram as well (upgrade to 800mhz ram). Your hard drive coudl be another speed holdup if it's a slower 5400 rpm one. A new retail boxed 7200 rpm hard drive should include a utility to clone your existing drive to the new one which makes the process to upgrading that a lot easier. Again - video card is not really going to make any difference unless you use the machine for gaming.

I pulled the specs on your motherboard (there are a couple of versions of that board - I'm going with the earliest to be safe) http://www.gigabyte.us/products/product-page.aspx?pid=2310# and I'd suggest a new processor - there are a couple of slightly faster ones but they will probably run a lot hotter and not be much faster. I'd go with

Athlon 64 X2 5600+ - looks to be around $50 or so on eBay.

Ram can indeed run at 800mhz. I'd go with 4 1GB sticks. According to Gigabyte there is almost no 2Gb sticks supported (they show 2). Probably any old 1Gb stick will work fine though. Looks to also be around $50 or so on eBay for all 4 sticks.

The board does use SATA drives - a good 1TB 7200 rpm SATA hard drive (new retail boxed one) will run you around $65 to $75 or so.

Going with the above you can add the parts to your existing machine - and have zero changes on your software. Just an immediate speed boost.

 

[Techman]

for about $600 you can git a new really nice machine and keep the old one..

 

[njshorts]

I had that same processor (upgraded to a 5200+) and board... that board is a WORKHORSE.

If you want to keep the same setup, go cheap... Your next move should be to an AM3 or a i5/i7 system... hopefuly with win7 pro/ultimate x64

IMHO:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103979
and
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184

is as much as I'd do with it, personally... or build a quad core box with 8+ GB ram instead (easily done with your budget... use win xp 64 bit if you're stuck on xp, or run your apps in compatibility mode on win 7 pro x64)

 

[Vinylman]

I had that same processor (upgraded to a 5200+) and board... that board is a WORKHORSE.

If you want to keep the same setup, go cheap... Your next move should be to an AM3 or a i5/i7 system... hopefuly with win7 pro/ultimate x64

IMHO:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103979
and
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184

is as much as I'd do with it, personally... or build a quad core box with 8+ GB ram instead (easily done with your budget... use win xp 64 bit if you're stuck on xp, or run your apps in compatibility mode on win 7 pro x64)

Hey! That sounds intriguing.
I am in way over my head with what you have suggested, but VERY interested.
Could you share how I might follow your suggestions? I would be very interested in putting these options together and looking into the cost to do same.

 

[Mosh]

Getting a new Dell Monday from WALMART!!!! $700, 1TB harddrive, 64 bit. includes a monitor! Laugh if you want, but I have 7 systems all Dells from Wally and am super happy with them all.

 

[Locals Find!]

For a little bit more added to your budget you could probably pick up a system from Signburst PCs a merchant member here. Since he sets up the machines for our industry you really cant go wrong.

 

[ddarlak]

keep everything you have, upgrade your RAM to the most your OS can handle and get the fastest hard drive you can.

that, without a doubt, will be the fastest you need.

 

[njshorts]

Hey! That sounds intriguing.
I am in way over my head with what you have suggested, but VERY interested.
Could you share how I might follow your suggestions? I would be very interested in putting these options together and looking into the cost to do same.

a number of ways...

depending on your PSU, you could make the jump to these 3 products, install them in your existing case with your existing cd/dvd drive/HD and be off to the races. (yes, there are hundreds of different ways do do this, no one of them is really right or wrong... some just faster/slower or cheaper/more expensive)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128519 (105 shipped)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226189 (8 GB, 90 shipped- leaves 2 slots open. add another $90 for 16 gb ram)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103889 (100 shipped)

for what's listed above, 295$ shipped for a quad core 3.1 system with 8gb ram, or 385$ shipped for the same with 16 GB RAM.

for windows xp 64 bit, search ebay. if you're ready to make the win7 jump, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116992 - $140 shipped for windows 7 pro x64. most apps can run in compatibility mode.

or you could build off of a barebones - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856101115

you could also buy an off-the-shelf box, but then you're getting a pre-configured box loaded with bloatware... build something yourself (or have a friend help) and be able to fix problems on your own, upgrade on your own, etc.

 

[Vinylman]

Shorty

Thanks for the leads. I will be looking into your suggestions.
Thank You so very much for the research you have done.

 

[njshorts]

Thanks for the leads. I will be looking into your suggestions.
Thank You so very much for the research you have done.

anything to help out a fellow ohioan you're not too far from where my family is from, youngstown/mahoning valley. we transplanted to florida 15 years ago. small world!