Upgrade advice

neocon · 30 Aug 2006 at 21:45

My mum has a Dell 3000. I want to buy her an upgrade for it. It currently has 512mb ddr333 and onboard graphics.

pci graphics card?
another 512mb ram?

Will there be any improvement in performance?

semi-pro waster · 30 Aug 2006 at 22:02

What does she do with it? If you can give an example of her uses then maybe the upgrade can be targetted better.

Can you also list the specifications roughly so that we have some idea of what might be possible but probably best not just to link to the manufacturers website.

neocon · 30 Aug 2006 at 22:31

Outlook
Word
IE

I've noticed it is a bit sluggish when many instances of word/IE are open at the same time.

I've seen 512mb ddr333 stick for £15. While cheapest pci gfx card is £25.

Tetras · 30 Aug 2006 at 22:33

I'd just upgrade the RAM, it is somewhat universally beneficial. Graphics card wouldn't bother.

Worth checking if the board can support higher, like PC3200/DDR400, since with some CPUs that can be a bit of a botteneck so if you can eliminate it now while your at it, it is all good. Would also check if dual channel mode is supported, as you could say.. sell the 512MB in there now and get a 1GB kit.

neocon · 30 Aug 2006 at 22:34

Yeah. I'll look into that. Thanks.

neocon · 2 Sep 2006 at 11:48

The computer is a P4 2.8 Ghz with a 533fsb.

It has 2x256mb ddr333 memory. No free slots.

I've checked the manual and I don't think its capable of operating ddr400 memory.

Am I right in thinking my only option is to dump both 256 sticks and replace with 2x512 @333?

deadeyedic30 · 2 Sep 2006 at 12:15

Yes but you may as well get 2x512mb ddr400. It will still work, just run at slower ddr333 speed

t31os · 2 Sep 2006 at 12:43

If ram's the only suggestion, 2 gig would be nice would it not?

Tetras · 2 Sep 2006 at 12:48

2 GB would be total overkill for the uses

neocon · 2 Sep 2006 at 13:30

Thanks

It's quite expensive

OcUK Value 1GB (2x512MB) PC3200 184pin DDR Memory Dual Channel Kit (MY-004-OK)
£70.49

I only paid £70 for my Geil!

Tetras · 2 Sep 2006 at 14:06

How about this instead:
G.Skill 1GB DDR ZX PC3200 (2x512MB) CAS2 Dual Channel Kit
£72.79

Can run 2-3-3-6 at stock and overclock, plus lifetime warranty.

Is also:
Crucial 1GB DDR PC2700 CAS2.5 Dual Channel Kit (CT2KIT6464Z335) (2x512MB) (MY-038-CR)
£72.89
Good compatibility and nice warranty service on Crucial RAM.

neocon · 3 Sep 2006 at 12:11

Thanks. Hopefully i'll get a job before her birthday and then i'll be able to afford it.