Ram recommendations for a Dell 2350 1.7 GHz Celeron 400 MHz

[MageXX9]

The computer came with 128 MB and after updating everything on Windows XP it's really sluggish. It has 2 slots, and I think it's DDR 3200. I'm thinking two 512 MB pieces. Any advice? It doesn't have to be the fastest either, just something that works very reliable.

 

[fightcancer]

what are you going to use this box for?

 

[MageXX9]

It's my employers box. All she does on it is Quick Books, Word, Excel, Email, and Web browser. And none at the same time. It just takes forever to load stuff, even after a fresh format/reinstall.

 

[DaveSimmons]

If you aren't gaming, 1 - 512 MB stick should be fine.

You can even try running it with the 128 MB. You might have a dual-channel motherboard but if not gaming the slight penalty from single-channel mode will not matter.

 

[MageXX9]

Nah, it has one 128 MB stick in it now, and it's very sluggish. Takes forever to do stuff, and loads programs.

 

[fightcancer]

If she only does MS Office apps and one at a time, she'll only need 256 MB of RAM total--maybe 384MB, but no more. Get another 128MB stick and call it good. If you want to splurge, get a 256MB stick.

 

[MageXX9]

I'm thinking about getting this.

 

[fightcancer]

IMO, that's superoverkill and you should be punished for even thinking such things.

 

[MageXX9]

So you think 512 will do the trick?

 

[fightcancer]

Originally posted by: MageXX9
So you think 512 will do the trick?

Originally posted by: fightcancer
If she only does MS Office apps and one at a time, she'll only need 256 MB of RAM total--maybe 384MB, but no more. Get another 128MB stick and call it good. If you want to splurge, get a 256MB stick.

 

[w00t]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145440
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820227039

 

[MageXX9]

See....I like the way w00t talks. Why not go all out? It's not that much more.

teeehee

Thanks guys

 

[fightcancer]

Originally posted by: MageXX9
See....I like the way w00t talks. Why not go all out? It's not that much more.

teeehee

Thanks guys

why stop there? why not get a new mobo w/new CPU and 2 GB RAM? jk

 

[MageXX9]

why stop there? why not get a new mobo w/new CPU and 2 GB RAM?

The dell case can't support a new motherboard. hah



wait...now that I think about it. Mebbe it can.

hrmm *twiddles thumbs*

 

[DaveSimmons]

I meant run the 512 with the 128.

All you need is one 512 or even 256, together with the existing 128 MB.

 

[MageXX9]

So, it's ok to just stick another 512 in there. No issues you can think of.


Thanks for the help guys.

 

[imported_Kensai]

You should've went for the 1GB kit.

 

[MageXX9]

On another note. Does everyone agree with me that the 128 MB ram is the bottleneck. I formatted the drive, reinstalled XP, got *all* updates, installed Norton Internet Security Pro w/ Anti-spyware, installed Office, got all updates, installed Quick books, and got more updates. And it's sluggish. When you close a window you can actually see the window go away and the screen repaint.


I think it's the ram, I don't know of anything else it could be.

Specs:
-Celeron 1.7 GHz 400 MHz bus
-128 MB ram
-40 gig hard drive

 

[DaveSimmons]

Yes. XP runs much faster with even 256 MB. But there are diminishing returns: 128 -> 256 = huge jump, 256 -> 512 small jump, 512+ pretty much only helps gamers and photoshoppers.

Office runs just fine with a 1 GHz CPU, given enough RAM.

 

[MageXX9]

Sweet tits. 512 it is.

 

[nick1985]

that Smeleron CPU isnt helping anything either...

 

[MageXX9]

For what she does, it gets the job done.

 

[Mickey21]

Originally posted by: MageXX9

why stop there? why not get a new mobo w/new CPU and 2 GB RAM?

The dell case can't support a new motherboard. hah



wait...now that I think about it. Mebbe it can.

hrmm *twiddles thumbs*

Exactly... Who ever said anything about leaving it inside the Dell? Muahahahah

 

[BurnItDwn]

Originally posted by: MageXX9
On another note. Does everyone agree with me that the 128 MB ram is the bottleneck. I formatted the drive, reinstalled XP, got *all* updates, installed Norton Internet Security Pro w/ Anti-spyware, installed Office, got all updates, installed Quick books, and got more updates. And it's sluggish. When you close a window you can actually see the window go away and the screen repaint.


I think it's the ram, I don't know of anything else it could be.

Specs:
-Celeron 1.7 GHz 400 MHz bus
-128 MB ram
-40 gig hard drive

there's not likely anything wrong with the 128mb stick that's in there now. If It's DDR (even PC2100...), it's more then fast enough for a 1.7ghz cereron.

Just leave the 128mb stick in there and add another stick. One stick of 256mb would probably be the best balance of price and performance gain.