Do I need more RAM? Better chip? Both? HELP!

[Ilyavich]

Hi all,

I currently have a Dell E521 with the following specs:

* AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Dual Core Processor
* 1GB PC2-4200 DDR2 Memory
* 160GB 7200rpm SATA Hard Drive
* 16x DVD+/-RW Burner
* 19" Dell E197FP LCD Monitor
* NVIDIA GeForce 7300LE Graphics with 256MB TurboCache
* Integrated AC'97 Audio
* 10/100 Ethernet
* Six USB 2.0 Ports
* Windows XP MCE, MS Works 8

It DOES NOT handle multiple programs well, at all. Firefox, Adobe Reader and Photoshop cause pretty big slowdowns, and I think that it's the processor that can't handle multiple programs well, but I'm not sure.

Say I have $300 - What would I need to do to make my computer faster?

I don't plan on using it for gaming, but I do want FAST operation (fast opening of Photoshop/work within Photoshop, no slowdowns with 3+ programs open, fast processing of photos, etc.)

Also, if I wanted to switch to Intel would I need to only change out the motherboard and chip, or other things as well?

Thanks!!

 

[Ilyavich]

How's this for $288?

AMD Athlon 64 X2 6400+ Windsor 3.2GHz Socket AM2 Processor Model ADX6400CZWOF - Retail

mushkin Extreme Performance 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) with EPP Profile Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996523 - Retail

 

[JackMDS]

Welcome to AT Forums.:thumbsup:

The Applications that you mentioned should not cause a significant slow down on a computer like yours.

You can save some resources by using Free Foxit pdf reader, and get rid of the Adobe Reader AKA the "Hog".

Also make sure that the Dell is cleaned from all the unneeded processes that are loaded at startup.

As far as your current paltform goes you can add another 1GB of RAM and get a Better processor.

Or might be better for $300 switching to the Intel processor, you can use all the components as is and get a New Motherboard and CPU (that is provided that your dell case can take other components with No physical problem).

This thread migh help you to decide, http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2067695&enterthread=y

 

[Ilyavich]

Thanks, Jack! Reading that thread now. I definitely want some new hardware - when I open a folder with, say 100 pictures in it in Vista Basic, and the pictures are set to be viewed as medium or large icons, it takes 2-3 seconds to get all of the loaded - annoying! I want that to be instantaneous, or as close to it as possible.

Also, how fast of a processor can I buy with my current motherboard? I know it supports up to 4GB of 5300 speed RAM, but I don't know how fast a chip I can put in it. Should I just upgrade the motherboard as well?

 

[JackMDS]

Hmm. If you are dwon to few seconds I doubt that there would a diffrence. I.e that it would not load instantaneously even with a stronger computer.

Reading the pictures from the hard Drive and process them into icons takes time. Longer time if addttional pictures where added since the last reading (I.e it is Not in cache).

 

[Ilyavich]

Hmm, interesting.

How about this (switching to Intel):

GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

AND

Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 Conroe 2.33GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6550 - Retail

For $280 shipped.

Good deal? I'll also need some RAM, so probably around $350 for the "conversion."

Will I see significant improvement?

 

[magreen]

You can't fit that in an E521 afaik. It's a btx case.

 

[Roguestar]

Ilyavich, you'll not notice much change in standard office apps with an upgrade like that. Your 3800+ X2 should certainly not be a bottleneck for these programs - my old A64 3000+ had no trouble flinging around photoshop whilst doing other things. To put your thumbnail statement into perspective, even on the PC I'm running now it'll take a second or two for every icon to be read from the hard drive, that's just something you'll have to expect. To be honest I'd not spend any more money at all on your PC, except possibly adding a stick of RAM. Give your hard drive a Disk Cleanup, perhaps defrag overnight (old school ), make sure you've not got nonsense applications that you don't need running while you're doing things you do need, consider some more efficient programs like the Adobe RAMeater alternative that JackMDS suggested, or perhaps a clean reinstall. Save your cash for a while from now when you do need to upgrade and you can get yourself a better system out of it!

 

[oynaz]

I think you are bottlenecked by your single gigabyte of RAM. Adobe Acrobat and Photoshop both likes lots of RAM, especially when running in Vista. I think that the single best purchase you can do is upgrade to 2 gigs of RAM.

 

[Ruptga]

Originally posted by: oynaz
I think you are bottlenecked by your single gigabyte of RAM. Adobe Acrobat and Photoshop both likes lots of RAM, especially when running in Vista. I think that the single best purchase you can do is upgrade to 2 gigs of RAM.

Definately, that X2 3800 is old, but it's not that old. Memory is what you want, especially with Vista and its caching.

 

[heyheybooboo]

More ram . . and maybe a scratch disk for PS

 

[nineball9]

Welcome to AT, Ilyavich.

Another gig of memory will help Vista, but beyond that, what Jack posted will help much more than any hardware you can buy: decrapify your Dell. Like other major PC vendors, new Dells come loaded with a lot of stuff running in the background which you'll never need, much less want.

Yeah, it takes a bit of thinking, some research and reading and is more difficult than plopping in new hardware, but getting rid of the junk apps will give you better results that new processors. Plus, it's free!

Good luck