Buy new PC or service and upgrade?

crockpot

Hi

I have a 4 years old Evesham desktop, Pentium (R) 4 CPU, 2.40ghz,2.45GHZ with 256MB of ram.

It is very slow, and I have done all I can to try and speed it up, but still slow, only 1/2 hard drive full.

Been into local PC shop, if it is fit to service and add 1GB of ram it will cost £80 ish. Plus I still have an old CRT monitor which I wish to upgrade another £100, so total £180.

Other option is to let kids have it and buy a new desktop.

All I do is surf web, chat to family overseas on MSN, web cam and talk. Plus spend too much time on here!! I also have a digial camera and write odd letter.

Any ideas?

Also will any modern computer do?

Thanks

isofa

You might be able to get the RAM cheaper from Crucial or a good dealer like Blue-Anteater on eBay. The checker on Crucial should show you what type you need too.

A P4 2.4Ghz is a decent machine, but the RAM is letting it down.

If you upgrade the RAM, and wipe the HD and reinstall Windows (I assume it's XP Pro), it'll fly along. Reinstallations make all the difference with systems that have been running years.

The monitor is a different issue, as you'll need a decent new one, whether you buy a new PC or not - so if you need one get one.

Dime_Bar

I vote for the ram upgrade too - as mentioned above check out crucial for the type you need and then shop around for is on ebay and the web. aria.co.uk have good deals sometimes, postage can be a bit expensive so have a look at there monitor deals too.

For what you do 1GB of ram will be amplt but check the prices for a 2GB stick if your motherboard supports it as I havew seen them cheaper on some deals.

Conor_3

After 4 years, I recommend backing up your documents then wiping the hard drive and doing a fresh installation of Windows. It'll pep it up no end.

totalsolutions

I concur with the above, a goodly brand in its day. Get the ram up to 1Gb, fitting it yourself, and after backing/storing your personal data, a fresh reinstall and all will be fine. A new monitor for £100 I wished!, get the best and biggest you can afford and get more out of your new pc!

crockpot

Have done a scan thing on crucial and adding 1Gb to it will cost me £26, shop will supply and fit for £30, do not feel brave enough to do it myself!!

Think I will have it serviced and wait to get new TFT monitor- my boys are only 6 and 8 and youngest is always touching screen!!

In a few years will then give old machine to them, and treat myself.

gooner045

I'm a bit confused with the service bit, what do they intend doing for £50, maybe a hoover up and a dab of oil on the fan bearings, dunno what else constitutes spending a bullseye, maybe i'm being old fashioned, I dunno. Spend the £50 going to a 22" instead of a 19" is what i'd do.

BillScarab

If you're CRT is big enough then stick with it, no point replacing if it works and is large enough. Also as you have noted yoruself they're more child friendly. I'm still suing a CRT at hoem because there's no chance of my children knocking it off the desk and I'v ealways foudn CRTs easier to clean sticky finger prints off.

Mobeer

Memory is easy to fit.
http://www.buildpc.info/memoryfit.php

Paying more to have it fitted than it costs to buy seems a bit much.

crockpot

If they are servicing PC they will fit memory for free, I would buy it for £25 and they will charge me £30 so It will cost me £4 more.

Trust the local shop been very helpful in the past, giving free help and info.

[Deleted User]

gooner045 wrote: »

I'm a bit confused with the service bit, what do they intend doing for £50, maybe a hoover up and a dab of oil on the fan bearings, dunno what else constitutes spending a bullseye, maybe i'm being old fashioned, I dunno. Spend the £50 going to a 22" instead of a 19" is what i'd do.

I'd make sure the graphics card in the computer at the moment is going to be able to handle a larger display before buying it.

Crockpot, can you click Start > Run > DxDiag then click no on the first prompt and then click Save All Information. Save the file and can you copy the contents here so we can give you some recommendations on monitors that will work well..