Worth Upgrading?

[pakman134]

Hey guys, just quick question. My friend has a Sony PCV-RX260DS. It something like Intel Pentium III 800 MHz, 128 MB (SDRAM), and some crappy integrated video card. When the OS boots up it takes quite some time before the cpu stops going crazy and actually lets me launch anything. The thing is, he only plays games like starcraft and stuff that isn't very graphically intense. I was thinking that if he upgraded his ram that he should see a pretty big difference, espeically with only have 128mb right now and running windows XP. Do you think its worth spending about 50 bucks on 256mb of PC133 SDRAM or do you think its time to just save up and buy a new computer? Thanks ahead of time for the help!

 

[LouPoir]

Adding ram would make a huge difference ---

 

[Blain]

I would...
1. Install 2 x 256MB PC-133 DIMMs (system maxed at 512MB, so just the two).
2. Install a ATI 9550 AGP card to help take load off the CPU. Older ATI GPU's tend to pull less CPU % than comperable nVidia's.
3. Install a Sound Blaster Live or Audigy card. Again to help take some load off the CPU.
4. If it currently have a 5,400rpm HD, I'd install a 7,200rpm (80GB WD JB).
If the PC has a 7,200rpm HD, I just do a fresh reload of XP.

1. Should be able to find a pair of LOW DENSITY PC-133 NON-ECC DIMMs for $40-$50 shipped (used).
2. 9550 AGP runs $35 shipped (new), used would be less.
3. You can get SB Live & Audigy cards for $15-$25 shipped (used).
3. WD 80GB JB should run you about $50 shipped (new).

 

[pakman134]

Ah thanks a ton for the help guys, but i have one more quick question.... is this considered "LOW DENSITY PC-133 NON-ECC DIMMs"? Thanks again!

 

[DaveSimmons]

That will probably work but you could a 256 MB stick used for $20-25 shipped from the FS/FT forum here, or a 128 MB for $15-20.

I'd try just adding RAM (an extra 256 should be plenty) before adding other parts.

Also, you might look in the "Security" thread at the top of the first page of the Software forum here for programs you can use to see if the speed problems are because of viruses, trojams, adware/spyware.

Edit: 128 MB - $7

Also, Crucial.com says you have 2 slots (1 free) and can use either 128 or 256 sticks (the sizes don't need to match).