Do I need a better PC?

rizla01

Is this a lame machine.
Is it time for an upgrade?

Do I need a better one?
No game playing but graphical use (photos) and ebay.
also frequent need of Google maps (VERY slow nowadays)
Apart from printing docs (labels etc) thats it.

Running W7 Ultimate

Processor
CPU0
Name AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 5000+
Processor ID 178BFBFF00040FB2
Caption AMD64 Family 15 Model 75 Stepping 2
Family 136
Level 15
Stepping 2
Data Width 64 Bits
Current Clock Speed 2600 MHZ
Ext Clock 1000 MHZ
Max Clock Speed 2600 MHZ
L2 Cache Size 1024 KB
Socket Designation Socket M2
Role CPU
Version Model 11, Stepping 2
Revision 19202
Status OK
BIOS
)Phoenix - Award WorkstationBIOS v6.00PG
Manufacturer Dell Inc
Version DELL - 42302e31
Current Language n|US|iso8859-1
Description )Phoenix - Award WorkstationBIOS v6.00PG
Primary BIOS Yes
Serial Number 6WBMY2J
SMBIOS BIOS Version 1.1.8
SMBIOS Major Version 2
SMBIOS Minor Version 4

radu_

When you say "graphical use (photos)" what exactly do you need? Are you using heavy stuff like Photoshop or just simple stuff that can be achieved with online programmes like Canva?
If you can manage the graphical bit in the browser then I would recommend a ChromeBook which is essentially a Chrome Computer (Just a browser). They are not right for everyone but it might be right for you and for £200 you can end up with a really fast machine.

prost

It's an old processor. What motherboard or PC do you have? It may accept faster AM3 processors. Check the motherboard's Web site for its CPU-compatibility list.

If it can't would you be willing to change the motherboard or do you want to get another PC?

rizla01

prost wrote: »

It's an old processor. What motherboard do you have? It may accept faster AM3 processors. Check the motherboard's Web site for its CPU-compatibility list.

If it can't would you be willing to change the motherboard or do you want to get another PC?

I forgot - Its a Dell.
mobo is : Dell Inc 0CT103 A03

Processor a Main Circuit Board b
2.60 gigahertz AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core
128 kilobyte primary memory cache
1024 kilobyte secondary memory cache
64-bit ready
Multi-core (2 total)
Not hyper-threaded Board: Dell Inc 0CT103 A03
Serial Number: ..CN7082172RE0GV.
Bus Clock: 1000 megahertz
BIOS: Dell Inc 1.1.8 04/18/2007

3072 Megabytes Usable Installed Memory

Is it too old worth doing anything with?

prost

Yes. If you want something faster you would need another PC. There's plenty on Ebay. If you're looking at second-hand & want an AMD processor look for at least a 4-core since your needs aren't too great.

Ebay uses a lot of processing power so shut down its pages if you don't need them.

rizla01

prost wrote: »

Yes. If you want something faster you would need another PC. There's plenty on Ebay. If you're looking at second-hand & want an AMD processor look for at least a 4-core since your needs aren't too great.

Is that the same as 2 core DUO
Not fussed about AMD.

prost

No. Intel's Core2 Duo are older dual-core processors, like your current one.

(I don't know if you're buying new or second hand as you didn't say but if the latter, and going the AMD 4-core route, you could look for a Phenom II X4 or an Athlon II X4, like for example an Athlon II X4 610e. The 'e' means it uses less energy.

See
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_AMD_Phenom_microprocessors )

Leo2020

Personally I wouldn't bother updating the processor. I would look at buying a i5 desktop or laptop. I had a PC with a AMD 64 X2 Dual Core and it was a good few years old before I replaced it. Just don't think it's worth updating a processor on an older computer. Because it might not be long before you think I need more RAM or a bigger HDD, maybe you do already?

You can end up spending a fair bit upgrading when really it makes more sense just to buy a new PC.

I use my laptop for Photoshop, eBay, web browsing. My laptop has an i5, 8GB of RAM and the HDD is that big that I can't even remember the size because I doubt I will ever use it all.

If you are doing heavy editing in Photoshop then a PC with an i7 will be a better bet.

rizla01

Old skool here so I do prefer a desktop.
I hate buying new (Done that - been there) as technology moves at a fast pace but I might (depending on price Etc)

I once paid out near £3k for an Atari Mega 4 setup C/W Laser printer, Scanner Etc. (ouch) I ran a Monthly mag from that so it paid for itself.

Used will normally suffice and I have a couple of nice 19" screens already.

I'll keep my eyes on fleabay.
Thanks for that advice Leo & Prost.

One Final Q?

Is there really any difference in makers these days.

Back in the day Tiny (Time) were to be avoided like PC World Service Dept, and there were a few others (HP perhaps) but whats the score these days.

Would an HP with a Phenom II X4 Processor still be OK or would an Acer be better for any reason?
This For example?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HP-Pavilion-a6332-uk-320-GB-AMD-Phenom-II-X4-2-2-GHz-3-GB-Desktop-KC975AA-/281709879870?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item419737a23e

pendragon_arther

Why don't you take it back to factory settings just to see how much faster it will go before forking out?

GunJack

rizla01 wrote: »

Old skool here so I do prefer a desktop.
I hate buying new (Done that - been there) as technology moves at a fast pace but I might (depending on price Etc)

One Final Q?

Is there really any difference in makers these days.

Would an HP with a Phenom II X4 Processor still be OK or would an Acer be better for any reason?
This For example?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HP-Pavilion-a6332-uk-320-GB-AMD-Phenom-II-X4-2-2-GHz-3-GB-Desktop-KC975AA-/281709879870?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item419737a23e

That one should be substantially faster than your current one, the Phenoms benchmark 2-3 times as fast as your current Athlon. Stick W7 on it and it'll be good for a while yet