Ram Upgrade - Easy to DIY?

markfj

Hi all

My 6 year olf PC is starting to run slow, and so is my pateince with it It is only 2gb ram and running windows 7

I have defragged it, removed unnecessary files and cleaned disk, but it hasnt really helped,

I've posted some of its specs below, and I am considering upgrading to 4gb Ram, if it wouldb be beneicial and if its easy to do yourself, looked inline and seems easy enough, but is there really a need for those wrist straps for earthing? or can you just power it off?

Thanks

specs

Common Devices
System Name: RJ169AA-ABU m7630.uk
Processor Name: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 6300 @ 1.86GHz
BIOS Name: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Video card Name: Radeon X1600 Series (Microsoft Corporation - WDDM)
Video card Name: Radeon X1600 Series Secondary (Microsoft Corporation - WDDM)
Installed Memory: 2.00 GB
Default Printer: Microsoft XPS Document Writer

Anthonis

Memory Installed 2 GB
Maximum allowed 8 GB* (4 x 2 GB)

*Actual available memory may be less
Speed supported PC2-4200 MB/sec
Type 240 pin, DDR2 SDRAM

Power off pc, take out power socket and do what you need.
I agree 2gb is not enough 4gb will be fine.
But how about hdd ? 6 years..... I would check health of hdd before buying ram. Mostly performance impact is on hdd health.
Win 7 operates fine on 2gb usually....

markfj

Thanks for the reply
I think, judging by an online scanner 4gb is all my PC can take

What would you suggest for trying out the HDD? I could do with an external HD I know that, but will get one, my HD is 275gb, and I have 80gb space left

TakeThis

Motherboard here

It should be able to support a higher clock speed. But then you would have to get rid of the existing RAM. Scratch that...limited by the processor.

2GB RAM is ok for me, with a much lesser processor. But then I have a separate graphics card.

DCFC79

Yes its easy to do, you might also want to get rid of the dust inside(if it is dusty) with the vac, i do mine outside and i use the blower option.

markfj

cheers guys

I looks easy enough, but I have never opened up a pc before, so was a bit hesitant I guess

It was either upgrade ram or buy a nice apple mac, but there is a slight price difference :rotfl:

spannerzone

I can see a certain forum member posting any moment about reading the cleanup page and posting your logs before buying memory

In all fairness, 2Gb is usually enough for Windows 7 unless you're doing some heavy duty video editing/image editing/gaming and so would be worth a clearout regardless.

hint: it's the sticky thead called 'How to speed up a slow or infected pc'

markfj

Funny you mention that, I have infact read the thread and carried out procedures, but I admit, I caught the sticky after posting

Anthonis

Things you need to do:
Power off pc, disconnect power socket. Open side of the box, usually you have to unscrew 2 screws.
Then hoover all dust, be careful with fans!
Close everything.Turn on, install SpeedFan from almico.
Launch and check temperatures. Then go to S.M.A.R.T and choose your hdd, click on "perform on in-depth......"
This will open you a website with full report about health of your hdd. You will see everything as it will be written what is bad and what ok.
If hdd sems to be bad then buy any new hdd with 7200rpm and 16 or 32mb cache ( well depends on your budget)
Old hard drive you can use as secondary or what ever you want.

If you think that performance is still to low or hdd is fine then:
Your motherboard supports up to 8GB=4x2GB
But before check on ram ( there should be sticker on them) what clock they are (PC2 4200 (533 MHz), PC 5300 (667 MHz) and PC2 6400 (800 MHz))
Better buy same clock as old ones (cheaper).....
If you want 800Mhz then you gonna have to get rid of old ones ram if their clock is lower.

Also check video card is it fine, usually fan on heatsink stucks with dusts.....
Thing's not to do : Do not un-mount heatsinks/radiators on CPU/GPU/NorthB.... if you don't have thermal compound!
If you think that heatsink must be removed to clean area and heatsink, then buy thermal compound that you could reapply it back.
For easier operations you can post photos, screenshots and you will get help if you are unsure about something....

closed

post a hijackthis log, insufficient ram is unlikely to be the problem

bridlestile

Maybe it's just me, but I always figure it's best to leave the power cable connected and use the mains Earth to ground myself by keeping touch of the PC case when doing upgrades.

(as long as the PC itself isn't switched on of course...!)