Any simple upgrade worth doing to this PC?

EveryWhere

A.Penny.Saved wrote: »

An SSD would help but that would need to be fitted and an OS re-install would be needed unless you go for a transfer which is not the best option.

A new graphics card which supports HEVC/H.265 assisted decoding might be a good idea because Hi-Def HEVC can be very CPU intensive. My system struggles with anything over 720p HEVC but I do intend to upgrade to a nVidia GTX 1660 hopefully during Black Friday Sales if I can find a decent card. For basic decoding assistance you wouldn't need to spend as much as me ~£200.

If he is as much a technophobe as he suggests things could go pear shaped so someone would be needed to do the job. That is unless he has another way of accessing the internet without that PC.

A good source of samples;

http://jell.yfish.us

A.Penny.Saved

Thanks EveryWhere, those should be helpful to test out HEVC performance on my PC ATM and could also allow the OP to test out on his PC. My Intel Z77 chipset does not support HEVC decoding so if I want that I do need a graphics card and nVidia is my preferred choice because of DGDecodeNV. Having a GTX 1660 would include HEVC encoding with B frame support otherwise I would of gone with the 1650.

motorguy

A.Penny.Saved wrote: »

Thanks EveryWhere, those should be helpful to test out HEVC performance on my PC ATM and could also allow the OP to test out on his PC. My Intel Z77 chipset does not support HEVC decoding so if I want that I do need a graphics card and nVidia is my preferred choice because of DGDecodeNV. Having a GTX 1660 would include HEVC encoding with B frame support otherwise I would of gone with the 1650.

I'm going to take a wild stab in the dark here and say thats going to wash entire over the O/Ps head.

SSD and a fresh Win10 install will give a massive reward for little effort.

motorguy

mksysb wrote: »

There is no mention of what software he is running in the OP. Linux has plenty of free software which is as good as the paid for software. LibreOffice, Chrome, Firefox, GIMP, darkatable, audacity, openshot, shotwell, inkscape to name a few. This is a money saving site and you can't do better than free.

Another person who doesnt understand the point of the MSE site.

Linux is unnecessary and will create an awful lot more disruption for a technophobe such as the O/P than the benefit attained from the minimal outlay for an SSD and sticking with Windows.

I would go so far as to say the advent of cheap SSDs has rendered Linux on home PCs almost pointless for the vast majority of PC users.

EveryWhere

To be fair, I have dealt with the OP many times over the years and he has never taken even the tiniest step to maintain nor upgrade his device.
I have no reason to suspect that he will do so now.

mksysb

motorguy wrote: »

Another person who doesnt understand the point of the MSE site.

Linux is unnecessary and will create an awful lot more disruption for a technophobe such as the O/P than the benefit attained from the minimal outlay for an SSD and sticking with Windows.

I would go so far as to say the advent of cheap SSDs has rendered Linux on home PCs almost pointless for the vast majority of PC users.

That's all nonsense, the only reason so many people use Windows is because it comes bundled with their machine. If they are starting with a blank SSD it's just as easy, if not easier to install linux, and then they would have the advantage of a superior operating system.

EveryWhere

mksysb wrote: »

That's all nonsense, the only reason so many people use Windows is because it comes bundled with their machine. If they are starting with a blank SSD it's just as easy, if not easier to install linux, and then they would have the advantage of a superior operating system.

That is the first time you mentioned an SSD at all.
He asked about upgrades, not about operating systems.

capital0ne

Maverock wrote: »

He say's that he is a 'technophobe' so not really a good idea.

In that case installing an SSD or more memory is out as well. As for re-installing Window$ forget it!

capital0ne

EveryWhere wrote: »

That is the first time you mentioned an SSD at all.
He asked about upgrades, not about operating systems.

In my opinion installing Linux over M$ Window$ is an upgrade!

parcival

Agree about Linux.

I changed from Windows Vista to Linux Mint.

It was not exactly difficult but i only do surfing, email and some Office stuff. I have never had any problem managing it and the laptop flies..........I also consider it an upgrade.

I should also say that I run a Windows machine and that causes more work and hassle than maintaining the Linux machine.