Some advise on ram and upgrading..

[kyo_244]

Hey guys,

right first off I'll give you my current spec.

I got

Gateway
Pentium4 - 2.40 GHz
Ram - 512 MB DDR (2 x 256MB [PC2100] + [PC2300] )
Nvidia GeForce4 MX 440 (64MB)
HDD - total size 111 GB, free space - 3.67 GB
Model Number: (GM) MFATXPNT ESX 500S

Now my main concern is the speed/ram. Doing the simplest things is getting a bit tedious, havent been too bothered but lately its been getting annoying. It'll just freeze up for no apparent reason. Might be worth noting that I've had the pc for about 3.5 years and never formatted yet either.

I've scanned my PC through http://www.crucial.com/uk/

and apparently what I need is DDR memory with support for PC2700

It recommends I get 2 x 1GB (2GB) for judt under 50 quid.
Ooor I could get 1GB for around 25-30 (provided it'll let me mix it with one of the 256's)

My question is, do i really need the 2GB to notice a difference and get a boost? Or just go for the 1GB and clear some space/format ??

I dont play high-eng games or anything I mainley use my pc for browsing, chatting and emu.

Any help is much appreciated.

Ta

[sj33]

On such a spec, 2GB is pointless unless you're running (which you won't want to). Just get yourself 2x512MB sticks. You want to get 2x512 rather than 1x1GB so you can use dual channel mode.

As for RAM speeds, depends what your motherboard supports, though if your motherboard doesn't support a speed, it'll just slip down to a speed it does support.

Clearing up space/formatting isn't going to make a slightest bit of difference to RAM though, that's HardDrive space

Example - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/52057

[wod]

removing startup items on your pc from the msconfig menu will speed up the pc and doing a disc cleanup using ccleaner or one of the many programs out for that purpose will help too

you could also run a registry optimiser if you run xp, i've found this to help

[CMcK]

Back up your stuff. Download all the latest drivers for your hardware. Do a fresh install of Windows. Defrag the hard drive. And if you have the money buy at least another 512MB of RAM. More memory never goes amiss so if you can afford the 2GB kit go for it.

Ideally you should do a fresh install of Window every 6 months or so. And make sure to run the defragmenter once every month or so.

[kyo_244]

On such a spec, 2GB is pointless unless you're running (which you won't want to). Just get yourself 2x512MB sticks. You want to get 2x512 rather than 1x1GB so you can use dual channel mode.

Example - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/52057

What did you mean about the 2gig? (unless Im running what?)


Oh and would that 1 gig kit be suitable for my pc? When I scanned on crucial.com I got a message saying "each memory slot can hold DDR PC2700." The corsair kit is PC3200 and also SD ram. Its all just a bit confusing at the moment..

[sj33]

I meant 'unless you're running Vista'... I guess I forgot to type the last word!

PC2-3200 RAM would work, just at 2700 speeds.... but if you know your motherboard only runs at 2700 maximum, you may as well go for that instead.

[kyo_244]

I see Thanks for the input fellas.

I actually just treid to do a defrag but apparently I dont have enough space for an efficient defrag!! Me thinks I need to get an external HDD!! Any good sites/deals? Id probably go for a 500 gig if it's cheap enough.

[wod]

try downloading ccleaner and run a hard disc scan and remove temp files etc that you don't require on it

setting internet explorer or firefox to about 10mb for the cache etc will also help.

[abigsmurf]

you could also run a registry optimiser if you run xp, i've found this to help

Nooooooooo

Don't run these things. Far too big of a risk of doing major damage for far too little benefit. If you do anything with the registry, run regedit, go into HKLM/software/microsoft/windows/run and remove entries for programs you don't want to be run at startup (update services are the worst). Be careful that you don't delete entries for important software.

Anyway, you can get 2gigs of ram for far less than you're saying (look at the prices on ebuyer, you only need value ram with a system like that) and it makes a huge difference in XP. I reckon you're looking at £20. Get 2*1gig sticks as that enables dual channel memory in DDR. Don't mix and match ram types as it'll lower the speed.

Handy advice for clearing up space: do a windows file search for files over 5000000kb and simply delete files you don't need any more. patches, disc images, incomplete, dead torrents, you'd be surprised at the rubbish clogging up a long term install.

You can also get third party defragmenters with less of a requirement of free disk space.

[kyo_244]

Nooooooooo

Don't run these things. Far too big of a risk of doing major damage for far too little benefit. If you do anything with the registry, run regedit, go into HKLM/software/microsoft/windows/run and remove entries for programs you don't want to be run at startup (update services are the worst). Be careful that you don't delete entries for important software.

Anyway, you can get 2gigs of ram for far less than you're saying (look at the prices on ebuyer, you only need value ram with a system like that) and it makes a huge difference in XP. I reckon you're looking at £20. Get 2*1gig sticks as that enables dual channel memory in DDR. Don't mix and match ram types as it'll lower the speed.

Handy advice for clearing up space: do a windows file search for files over 5000000kb and simply delete files you don't need any more. patches, disc images, incomplete, dead torrents, you'd be surprised at the rubbish clogging up a long term install.

You can also get third party defragmenters with less of a requirement of free disk space.

So am I looking at two of these: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/54265

Still 20.52 each so still looking at aroudn 42 quid for 2. Or am I missin the cheaper stuff?

[abigsmurf]

Ah I forgot you've an old mobo, was thinking of http://www.ebuyer.com/product/116260 which you can't use.

Don't be tempted to mix ram types, it'll be slower than the slowest stick of ram.

[kyo_244]

Also thinkin of gettin this 500gig HDD

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Freecom-Drive-500GB-External-silver/dp/B000LQA652/ref=pd_sbs_ce_3

Recommended?

Or anything better out there?

Not too fussed about what it looks like, just dont want one that'll devour all my data into nothingness! =/

[kyo_244]

Just ordered the Freecom HDD and the 2 1GB ram sticks!!

Woo!!

£110 quid, hope its worth it..

[Sane]

Ideally you should do a fresh install of Window every 6 months or so.

I don't think this is really needed with XP, I've had my current install running for 4 years or so and it's doing fine. It does require you to regularly defrag, don't install loads of rubbish etc.

[kyo_244]

Well I might do a format eventually but we shall see..

Um right before I install this ram i should ground myself.. right?

Hows this work?