more computer advice sought

bryce · 04-17-2003, 12:52 PM

with all these computer threads, maybe we should have gotten one, collective thread going instead... in any event, i have a 3 yr old dell pii 128 ram 2gig-hd. i don't really want to buy a whole new system, but i wouldn't mind upgrading the one i've got if it's worth it.

i'm a complete idiot when it comes to computers, so is there anything that might prove worthwhile? will just adding RAM do anything significant? from what i hear, a new processor would be a major pain in the butt b/c i would need a new motherboard as well and whatever else.

any advice and input is greatly appreciated.

thanks in advance.

KWhit · 04-17-2003, 01:01 PM

Advice: Buy a new computer. Do not try to upgrade this thing. I'm sure some techies will be able to give you more details as to why, but the money you spend upgrading it would be better used buying a cheap-ish new or refurbished system.

Bee · 04-17-2003, 01:16 PM

What's the processor speed in it now? And what kind of video card do you have in it? Also, what do you use it for (are you wanting to play the latest greatest FPS or do you just play FOF type games on it?).

I generally agree with KWhit, but memory and a bigger HD might be a possible interim step if you don't have the cash right now for a new system (depending on the processor speed and video card, etc).

Draft Dodger · 04-17-2003, 01:42 PM

I'm guessing the 2GB hard drive was a typo - that seems small for a 3yr old pII. I bought my PII 333 4 years ago, and it came with 10 GB.

anyways, like the others, I'm guessing you'll find it's more cost-effective to just buy a new system.

Airhog · 04-17-2003, 02:13 PM

well if its only a pii that would probably mean it has a 400 or 500mhz processor. I would suggest upgrading, but only if you really need too. you could slap in a new video card, and that would help, but you wont be able to play many new games with your processor speed.

detroit_fan · 04-17-2003, 02:23 PM

Problem number 1 with upgrading is; it's a Dell (this is not a slam) they use proprietary equipment. Chances are that your audio and video are built into the motherboard. I would even bet that you might not have but one PCI slot.

This PCI slot will be vital to attempting to upgrade this system. If anything is upgradable it will be the harddrive, sound card, video card, modem and memory.

You might have a hard time finding memory that will work in your computer. The point i'm trying to make is that you can buy a decent computer for 500 buck or less. You will spend atlest 250-300 trying to upgrade your current system and will see very little increase in performance.

Aylmar · 04-17-2003, 02:30 PM

Hmm...if you're serious about upgrading the processor, check out this site...

http://www.powerleap.com

I replaced my 500 mHz proc with a 1.4 gHz Celeron...and it's made a world of difference. That and a new video card pushed back having to buy a new system by at least a year. Totally worth the $180.

04-17-2003, 01:16 PM	#3
Bee Pro Starter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Fairfax, VA	What's the processor speed in it now? And what kind of video card do you have in it? Also, what do you use it for (are you wanting to play the latest greatest FPS or do you just play FOF type games on it?). I generally agree with KWhit, but memory and a bigger HD might be a possible interim step if you don't have the cash right now for a new system (depending on the processor speed and video card, etc). Last edited by Bee : 04-17-2003 at 01:23 PM.

04-17-2003, 01:42 PM	#4
Draft Dodger Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Keene, NH	I'm guessing the 2GB hard drive was a typo - that seems small for a 3yr old pII. I bought my PII 333 4 years ago, and it came with 10 GB. anyways, like the others, I'm guessing you'll find it's more cost-effective to just buy a new system. __________________ Mile High Hockey

04-17-2003, 02:13 PM	#5
Airhog Captain Obvious Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Norman, Oklahoma	well if its only a pii that would probably mean it has a 400 or 500mhz processor. I would suggest upgrading, but only if you really need too. you could slap in a new video card, and that would help, but you wont be able to play many new games with your processor speed. __________________ Thread Killer extraordinaire Yay! its football season once again!

04-17-2003, 02:23 PM	#6
detroit_fan H.S. Freshman Team Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Fayetteville, AR	Problem number 1 with upgrading is; it's a Dell (this is not a slam) they use proprietary equipment. Chances are that your audio and video are built into the motherboard. I would even bet that you might not have but one PCI slot. This PCI slot will be vital to attempting to upgrade this system. If anything is upgradable it will be the harddrive, sound card, video card, modem and memory. You might have a hard time finding memory that will work in your computer. The point i'm trying to make is that you can buy a decent computer for 500 buck or less. You will spend atlest 250-300 trying to upgrade your current system and will see very little increase in performance. __________________ heck is where people who don't believe in gosh go.

04-17-2003, 02:30 PM	#7
Aylmar High School Varsity Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Los Angeles	Hmm...if you're serious about upgrading the processor, check out this site... http://www.powerleap.com I replaced my 500 mHz proc with a 1.4 gHz Celeron...and it's made a world of difference. That and a new video card pushed back having to buy a new system by at least a year. Totally worth the $180. __________________ "At its best, football is still football, an amalgam of thought and violence, chess with broken bones and shredded ligaments." -- Dave Kindred

04-17-2003, 01:01 PM	#2
KWhit Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Conyers GA	Advice: Buy a new computer. Do not try to upgrade this thing. I'm sure some techies will be able to give you more details as to why, but the money you spend upgrading it would be better used buying a cheap-ish new or refurbished system.

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