Help Wanted- Upgrading My PC Functioning

vitamin_joe

A few questions. I’d quite like to increase the memory on my PC. At the moment I have two 512 Mb sticks of RAM- I’d like to increase it to at least 3 GBs if possible. What memory sticks should I buy? I’ll be getting them off ebay if possible.

The memory sticks I have now have some stuff written on them, but I don’t know what it means-
1Rx16 pc2 64 ddu 666-12-c3

Next question- is it worth getting a better processor to improve function? and how do I know which one to buy?

I’m running Vista on a cheap machine. The numbers on the side of the computer might be helpful, I don’t know!

Compaq Presario SR5501UK

PROD#: KX752AA

SN: 3CR82423Y8

Thanks!

EvilScotsman

Easiest thing to do is run the Crucial scanner: http://www.crucial.com/uk/systemscanner/

This will tell you what types of RAM are compatible with your PC. You can take a note of the types of RAM then buy elsewhere.

vitamin_joe

Cheers. Ran the scan, but it's not managed to identify the RAM I need...

I found a place online that is doing two Gigs for my model for £41- does that sound like an ok deal? I might just go for it, cos I don't know how to find what memory stick I need, so I can search for it specifically.

gonzo127

product details here i think
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01562958&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=uk&lang=en&product=3755391
so a celeron e1200 socket 775
1gb ddr2 pc6400 (800mhz)

so if i am right and it is the above system i would say for upgrade
either
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/139662 - 2 x 1gb sticks to make use of duel channel support
or
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/142399 - 1 x 2gb stick to give future upgrabe ability as would leave one slot free

and for CPU
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/159452 - if you only have small amount to spend -£50
or
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/158339 - if you have £100

personally i think you would be mad to spend to much updating that system so would recommend the CPU at £50 (if you have to) and the 2 x 1GB sticks so total £83.15 including delivery for both, however if its a case of one or the other go for the RAM

Donnie

What specifically would you like to improve?

More RAM, say 2GB in all and possibly an upgraded graphics card with dedicated memory for £25 or so.

tomsolomon

MSI MoBos are ruubbish. Get a cpu and mobo bundle or seperate if you feel the need, preferaly Asus or Gigabyte. Any decent PC tech worth his salt will tell you this, but I'm working with these things day in day out.
Alternatively you could get a decent MoBo that takes your existing CPU that you can upgrade later. If you just upgrade the CPU you will be in for a big dissapointment...

I'm not surprised it's slow, Vista ideally needs 2gb ram. but if you are upgrading, may as well get 4gb.

Download CPUZ and find out everything you would ever want to know about your MoBo, memory and CPU. If you need to know more you probably need a vacation, somewhere sunny....:D
It's free BTW.....
http://www.cpuid.com/

bargains_galore_3

is there any program or software I could run to see what processor I could upgrade to?

I am currently running on a 1.6GHz with 2.5GB of RAM and the processor just cant keep up. The only problem is that the motherboard/computer is quite old circa 1995. I can get all the details off the computer when I get home I was just wondering if it would be worth while.

I really dont want to fork out for a new desktop completely.

gonzo127

cpuz should work as linked above as it will tell you what you have so you can then see what socket you need,

although its not going to be 15 years old (circa 1995 as you have stated) and running at 1.6ghz maybe 166mhz as the first 1ghz cpu was not released till March 6, 2000.

Chimpofdoom

bargains_galore wrote: »

I really dont want to fork out for a new desktop completely.

Sometimes it can be cheaper to do just this, considering you can get a lot for around £300

bargains_galore_3

I have downloaded and ran CPU-Z but I am still unsure if I would be able to upgrade my processor with the current motherboard.

The processor i have at the moment is AMD Athlon XP

Spank

What number is the CPU? i.e 2500 3000