What Would be the batter computer for my mother?

[ComputerWizKid]

I just got an old PIV (Socket 423 RD-Ram) but my mom currently has an equally old computer I want to know what would be the faster one? I am thinking the P IV as it has a faster processor + the some what faster RD-Ram) But I really don't know the difference between the two

Her current computer is as follows
AMD Athlon 900MHZ
Asus A7A-266
512MB of SD-Ram PC133
40 GB Seagate IDE Hard Drive
IDE CD-Rom
Antec Power Supply
Onboard Sound
Nvidia Vanta 16MB AGP
Linksys NIC (10/100)

The one I think that is faster
P IV 1.5GHZ (Socket 423)
Abit TH7-Raid
1GB of RD-Ram PC800
350 Watt PSU
Onboard Sound
3-Com 3C905-TX 10/100 PCI NIC
Generic AGP Card with TV out
DVD-Rom
30GB Hard Drive (If I do find out that this is indeed the faster Computer I will swap out the hard Drives)


Thanks let me know which would be the better one for her all she does is surf the web and play windows solitaire + a couple of other older games. She is complaining lately that her computer is slow (I just did a fresh install of XP Pro a month ago) and I thought her about Virus's + Spyware

 

[dguy6789]

The Pentium 4 machine is better, mainly because of the extra ram.

 

[Eureka]

Yep, the p4 is good. You could also try adding in a second gig of ram and maybe overclocking the processor a bit (not sure how those p4s overclock).

 

[PottedMeat]

Originally posted by: Eureka
Yep, the p4 is good. You could also try adding in a second gig of ram and maybe overclocking the processor a bit (not sure how those p4s overclock).

That extra gig of RDRAM is going to be really expensive.

It's kind of a wash, but the gig of ram gives the P4 system the edge.
Putting in ~20 bucks into the AMD machine for a newer processor would be good too. Maybe a 2400+ or something.

 

[RebateMonger]

The P4 looks fine for what you want to do. Don't spend ANY money on it.

 

[dbcooper1]

Originally posted by: PottedMeat

Originally posted by: Eureka
Yep, the p4 is good. You could also try adding in a second gig of ram and maybe overclocking the processor a bit (not sure how those p4s overclock).

That extra gig of RDRAM is going to be really expensive.

It's kind of a wash, but the gig of ram gives the P4 system the edge.
Putting in ~20 bucks into the AMD machine for a newer processor would be good too. Maybe a 2400+ or something.

And bring the RAM up to 1GB and you're done; you're time's worth something.

 

[WaitingForNehalem]

Pentium 4 FTW!

 

[0roo0roo]

its all about the monitor.
and yes..ram.

 

[InflatableBuddha]

The P4 is actually not much faster (that 1.5 Ghz model is pretty close in performance to a PIII 1 Ghz, which is only slightly faster than the 900 Mhz Athlon).

I did a quick search on Pacificgeek.com, and 512MB of PC133 runs about $30. A better Athlon CPU is about the same.

So for $50-75, you could upgrade the Athlon machine to be better than the P4. However, if you don't want to spend any money at all, then go with the P4. As others have said, don't invest in the P4 system, as the RDRAM is expensive.

 

[dguy6789]

Total waste of money. Why spend $30 on 512MB of obsolete junk when you can spend less on 2GB sticks of modern stuff? Why spend $30 on a processor when you can spend a bit more and get a processor that is at least infinity times better? I suggest just using the P4 machine as is for as long as it works and not spend a dime on it.

 

[dbcooper1]

She's not doing anything that will make use of 'infinity times faster'; add RAM to get it to at least 1GB and find an inexpensive socket A/462 for a few bucks and make it 2+ times as fast as now. I think you can potentially use up to a 2600+. If it's been usable as is up to now, she'll be good for the forseeable future for $50 and 15 minutes of your time. Otherwise you'll have to rebuild and reinstall too; what's your time worth?

 

[InflatableBuddha]

Originally posted by: dguy6789
Total waste of money. Why spend $30 on 512MB of obsolete junk when you can spend less on 2GB sticks of modern stuff? Why spend $30 on a processor when you can spend a bit more and get a processor that is at least infinity times better? I suggest just using the P4 machine as is for as long as it works and not spend a dime on it.

Obviously the best idea would be to buy a brand new $400 Dell that would stomp both of these machines, but apparently the OP can't afford that.

I agree that old tech is not the best value compared to newer, faster stuff, but unfortunately, not everyone can afford new technology. If he only has $30 to spend, then it's a worthwhile upgrade while he saves up for a new machine.

 

[ComputerWizKid]

OK I got the PIV setup for her and I was wrong it only has 512MB of ram but It does seem faster to her. But I have one problem what is a good program to monitor CPU Temperature?

I tried core temp but no go

 

[dguy6789]

Speedfan should work on older computers that won't work with Core Temp.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
Don't spend ANY money on it.

:thumbsup:

Originally posted by: ComputerWizKid
OK I got the PIV setup for her and I was wrong it only has 512MB of ram but It does seem faster to her. But I have one problem what is a good program to monitor CPU Temperature?

Why monitor temperature? As long as it isn't having stability issues, it is best to not have anything else running in the background.

Maybe doing a fresh Windows install using something like XPlite would make the system work faster?