Memory Question

[richard11992288]

Im currently getting a new PC for work and the new junior graduate is getting my old machine.

Now the machine in question is a Dell Precision T5400.

Intel Xeon E4510
4GB DDR 2 PC 5300 RAM
Nvidia Quadro NVS 290

Bascially my team leader wants to know what parts are needed to give it a bit of a performance boost (Bascially this machine isnt fit for purpose but giving it a parts upgrade is cheaper than a new machine, im the lucky one who gets the new machine.)

From my what I know I think its the RAM and GFX that are letting it down.

Do you think more than and a better GFX card will do the trick and if so which ones should I buy? Reading up on the motherboard it only seems to take ECC memory which seems really expensive.

Any ideas?

Cheers,

Rich

 

[JonSmith]

What is this going to be used for exactly? The GPU probably isn't worth upgrading unless you're gaming or intend to use OpenCL/CUDA accelerated tasks. 4GB of RAM won't be the issue with the system either (even though it is "slow" RAM). I guess to speed it up in normal usage you could buy a fast HDD or even an SSD for it (cost around £70-80 for a 120GB one).

 

[richard11992288]

Its a workstation used for 3D modelling and rendering, so im guessing more RAM will be important?

Im thinking a newer Nvidia card and some more RAM and a SSD hard drive will give it a performance boost?