What upgrade will yield the best perfomance improvement?

[eon90210]

I think it's about time I upgrade my old computer. What made me think upgrading is www.gamespot.com and www.ign movies do not run smoothly. I guess some sort of an upgrade can smooth things out. Here's my current specs.

Soltek FRN-2L motherboard
AMD Athlon +1800 (for some reason Windows recognizes it as running at 1.15ghz, anyone know why?)
Kingston ValueRam 512mb CL3
2x80gig Maxtor/WD 8mb HD's
Geforce Ti4200

My motherboard is capable of handling a 400FSB CPU and 3 slots for RAM with which I can dual channel two chips. I'm guessing first the RAM, then the buying the fastest CPU that my motherboard can take will yield best performance increase. I don't game on my comp, PS2 for that, and I basically use it for internet and watching videos and other non too taxing tasks. How much ram should I upgrade to, 1gb? 2gb?

[jwei]

I think at this point it's better to start brand new. You'd be better off to just purchase one of those cheap dell deals that go on once in a while (at 299/399) or invest in brand new build for the long run (probably cost you anywhere from 600+). Double check with everyone else in the forum though!

[Mark099]

AMD Athlon +1800 (for some reason Windows recognizes it as running at 1.15ghz, anyone know why?)

Chances are the battery on the motherboard has died. Once you shut down, the BIOS settings will not hold and will revert to default settings. Replace the battery, then check your BIOS settings. The CPU frequency is probably set to 100Mhz. It should be 133Mhz.

Putting another 512MB of ram in will also help, but don't do anymore than that because it's not worth the money.

[flyz]

I think it's time to lay that rig to rest and get a $300 Dell Vostro since this will last you another 5 years.

Chances are, something will break and it's not worth the cost to fix (ie mobo caps leaking and looking for a Socket A board would be a waste of money), HDD dying (bad sectors etc), PSU failing and taking out most parts (it will happen on old PSU since caps age)

[Amourek]

You need a faster CPU to watch those videos though I don't know if any compatible XP processor will be enough.

And your CPU is running at 1.15Ghz because it is set to the wrong frequency. It's running at 11.5 x 100MHz instead of the proper 11.5 x 133MHz.

[board123]

I think it's time to lay that rig to rest and get a $300 Dell Vostro since this will last you another 5 years.
I second this. It's pointless trying to breath more life into this old system.

[sickcars]

Correct no point in investing $$ into the computer because DDr1 which is wha tyour motherboard would take is pretty expensive because its not longer used. So to add another 1GB into the system to see a difference probably wont be worth it unless you can find somebody selling for cheap.

Also your computer IS fast enough to watch online videos and do basic internet surfing and so on. My guess is that you have not reinstalled windows in a while. So if you dont want to buy a new computer now. Reinstall windows first and you will notice a speed increase since it will be a clean running system. Just make sure to have all your proper drivers ready on a cd or something before reinstalling windows.

So basically
#1 - Reinstall windows if you dont want to buy a new comp
#2 - Buy a new computer.

[ji_hyun_jun]

install linux, or get a new computer. not sure if even the DDR1 ram is worth upgrading in this case. (relative to the value of your machine)

[mcceng]

I think at this point it's better to start brand new. You'd be better off to just purchase one of those cheap dell deals that go on once in a while (at 299/399) or invest in brand new build for the long run (probably cost you anywhere from 600+). Double check with everyone else in the forum though!

I agree. The OP's old computer is not worth upgrading. Time to pony up some cash and get a brand new one when it comes on sale. Anything new would be at least 10X? better than what you have now and would probably last you another 5 years or more.

[eon90210]

I am really not in the market for a new computer as I think this one is good enough for my current needs. Also, since it was my first build, it has sentimental value to me though I am interested in this Acer deal you guys speak of but I can't find the link. I looked for the Dell Vostro but the link says the webpage no longer exists.

The FSB was set at 100mhz! Switched to 133mhz and now it's running back up to regular speed. I can now watch the videos at www.ign.com. Thanks.

I found a guy selling this ram, 512x2, for $40.
http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/memory/ocz_ddr_pc_3200_premier_dual_channel-eol
Also the same RAM I'm using right now, Kingston ValueRam 512mb, for $25 used, $40 new. Good prices?

[Negotiator]

I am really not in the market for a new computer as I think this one is good enough for my current needs. Also, since it was my first build, it has sentimental value to me though I am interested in this Acer deal you guys speak of but I can't find the link. I looked for the Dell Vostro but the link says the webpage no longer exists.

The FSB was set at 100mhz! Switched to 133mhz and now it's running back up to regular speed. I can now watch the videos at www.ign.com. Thanks.

I found a guy selling this ram, 512x2, for $40.
http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/memory/ocz_ddr_pc_3200_premier_dual_channel-eol
Also the same RAM I'm using right now, Kingston ValueRam 512mb, for $25 used, $40 new. Good prices?

Just horrible. You can easily find the same prices for 1gb new sticks - in the stores. I've seen somebody on the forum selling 2x1gb sticks of good ram for like $40 - that's the kind of prices you should be looking at. Check the BST section here - you'll find much better deals for used stuff than you're currently being offered.

Fresh reinstall of windows might definitely help.

If you really don't want to get rid of your computer just yet (on which I agree with everybody else here that it wouldn't be a waste of money), upgrade your comp to the max memory you can. If you can increase size of ram to 2gb or more, delete the paging file, then defragment your main OS harddrive and set the size of the paging file to about 300-500mb and make it unchangeable in size (300mb-300mb or 500mb-500mb instead of 300mb-500mb). That way, your computer won't have to work with your harddrives too much and since hdds are the slowest components in any computer, you should see at the very least a slight improvement in speed.

[mr_raider]

I'll be decomissioning my dad's a64 3200 s754 rig in few weeks, once I get the needed parts assembled. You are welcome to have the 2x512MB sticks of RAM (ddr1-400) if you cover mailing costs.

[Warlock]

... AMD Athlon +1800 (for some reason Windows recognizes it as running at 1.15ghz, anyone know why? ...

Multiplier correct
but
Incorrect FSB.

[flyz]

If that's the case, do a windows reinstall. It's surprising how much it degrades over time and it's free to boot :)

[attonbitusira]

Glad to hear it's running at the correct frequency.

For 300 bucks you can build yourself something that will eat your current computer for breakfast, then ask "when's lunch?"

[infamouskid]

buy new. right now there is no point in upgrading on any path since all current platforms are reaching end of support.

the new platforms you should be investing in are am3 for amd cpu or socket 1336 for intel cpus.

[board123]

buy new. right now there is no point in upgrading on any path since all current platforms are reaching end of support.

the new platforms you should be investing in are am3 for amd cpu or socket 1336 for intel cpus.
No love for 775? Even if it has no upgrade path, it's still a very modern platform with excellent performance. It's also much cheaper than 1366.

[attonbitusira]

buy new. right now there is no point in upgrading on any path since all current platforms are reaching end of support.

the new platforms you should be investing in are am3 for amd cpu or socket 1336 for intel cpus.

Given the specs of the OP's current computer, I don't think am3 is a necessary target. I would argue that an AMD X2 would be a great upgrade path.

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4396232&CatId=2417

Remember, OP is not an enthusiast, so recommend something that fits the user.