Question on life expectancy of my computer. need suggestions

[aceofskies05]

So im currently running a dell e150 system. Its got a pentium d 2.8 ghz cpu. 1 gig of ddr2 ram, nvidia 7600gs, 160 gig hdd. So I wondering about how long of life its got left in it. I know the processor isnt the greatest but at least its dual core..... Should I upgrade to 2 gigs of ram? I currently have two 512's to get the whole dual channel effect. Should I buy two more 512's? Does the dual channel make much of a differnce? or should I even go upto 3 gigs? I got XP, but I also have a copy of vista.... Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[DarkRogue]

If you don't have any pressing need to upgrade, but just want it a little faster/snappier, adding 2 extra 1GB sticks of ram would definitely be a cheap way to make that happen, although with ram prices as low as they are, you might as well replace that ram entirely with a 2x2GB kit for 4GB.

 

[aceofskies05]

yeah I dont really wanna spend more than 30 bucks. should I got with 2 512's or 1, 1gig

 

[Marty502]

Depends. If all I did was write in MS Word, my old 486 would still have plenty of life expectancy for me.

If you want to do some light gaming, watch movies and do everyday tasks, then put as much RAM as possible, a bigger, faster hard disk maybe and you'll be set.

EDIT: Just noticed it's a Dual Core. Sorry. Well, if you overclock your CPU a bit, with a newer video card you definitely could play some newer titles... definitely.

Also, Dual Channel just doesn't matter. Put as much RAM as you can, period. And about Vista... if you get 2 gigs of RAM or more, go for it. If not, stick to XP.

 

[aceofskies05]

photoshop, light gaming, video editing during the school season, always have itunes, aim, FF, the esstials running. Anywho I though on dell mobos the cpu is locked down? If i did over clock wheres a good place to research this? and cooling?

 

[Marty502]

Just for Photoshop and Premiere/Avid/Whatever you use to edit videos, you need tons of RAM. So the first priority for you it's definitely more RAM. Again, Dual Channel is just a cute gimmick with close to zero relevance in what you and I do on our computers. You just won't notice it.

For overclocking, here's a good guide for starting: http://www.legitreviews.com/article/334/1/

I think that's your processor, right?

But beware: Those old Pentiums are HOT bastards. You'll want some good cooling before pushing it harder. Read as much as you can before fiddling... if you damage something, there's no second chance.

 

[DSF]

I doubt very strongly you'll be able to do any overclocking at all.

What's running slowly for you?

 

[aceofskies05]

820^^^

 

[aceofskies05]

nothings really running slowly. I just want to keep it up to date for the next year and a half

 

[betasub]

Originally posted by: aceofskies05
nothings really running slowly. I just want to keep it up to date for the next year and a half

Up-to-date is as up-to-date does. Focus on your needs, and then upgrade as advised in this thread if you really feel the need.

For most ATers, a PentiumD with 1GB RAM and NV7 series gfx is already well over a year out-of-date - but that's only because most here follow the technology for its own sake as much as for its actual usage.

 

[Magusigne]

Well said.

Ace, just toss in some RAM...cheapest upgrade that will make a decent difference on yer rig...I wouldn't bother with anything else till you get a new rig

 

[Marty502]

Yup, what the others have said. I thought you were feeling your computer a bit slow, hence why I suggested overclocking it. Don't do it.

Just put as much RAM as possible and you'll be set.