Help me UPGRADE!!!

[compsunn123]

Alright so it is definitely time for me to re-format my computer, and then buy a few upgrades to improve speed and everything else!

What kind of info would you guys need from me? Here is some basic info:

-Dell Dimension 4500 S

-Windows XP

-Verizon Fios (Not really exciting and fun with such a slow lagging computer, I really want to see the speed correctly on a good comp )

-System RAM
You Have: 254 MB


-Video Card
You Have: Intel(R) 82845G/GL/GE/PE/GV Graphics Controller (Intel(R) 82845G Graphics Controller)

-Free Disk Space

You Have: 95.5 GB out of 130 GB



Ok so as you can tell, my computer is very, VERY slow. I can't even run more than 1 or 2 processes at the same time (such as Mozilla with Microsoft paint, or notepad, etc.)

I know that I should first start with memory. My question is though, I have read about making sure that the memory even fits and works on my computer first of all. How do IO figure this out? I was going to buy a Kingston 1024MB PC5400 DDR2, but what if my computer isn't even made to sort of "handle" it, I can't explain it correctly.

Graphics cards are easier I think, and most will work with many computers.

Thanks a lot!!!

[hot dog]

if you are not sure about what kind of RAM you need, go here: http://www.crucial.com/              and run a test on your computer

If your computer experience is generally slow, go here:

http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000179.htm


 

[Ironman]

Looking at the Dell Dimension 4500S specs, you either have a Pentium 4 or Celeron processor. Which is ok for and XP laptop. I recommend that you upgrade your RAM to 1-2GB and upgrade your hard drive to at least 250GB. If you want to play some video games that require good graphics or want to work with high-level graphics I would then recommend you to upgrade your video card, but if you don't need to do any of those things then I wouldn't be necessary to upgrade your video card. To buy your hardware I would go to www.newegg.com.

[Mulreay]

http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews4599.html

Check this out.

May be time for a full change my friend.

[BC_Programmer]

I'm using a Dimension 4400 right now. I got it used- so the only thing that's the same as when it was retail would be the power supply, motherboard, and CPU. (P4 1.6Ghz).

I upgraded the RAM (1GB) Installed a new HD (500GB) Video card (Geforce 2MX to 5500FX) and Sound Card (some stripped SBLive! for a X-Fi XtremeGamer) Added a USB2 card I had lying around and it's met my needs quite well.

Ironman is quite on the money regarding his suggested upgrades- but I think another thing that needs to be mentioned is that, even with those specs, it shouldn't be having too much difficulty- surely not 1 or 2 programs. I suspect a heavy infestation of malware which is responsible for the reduced performance.

[Mulreay]

I was trying to make a point with my link but BC you....... did that very well.

[2x3i5x]

I was trying to make a point with my link but BC you....... did that very well.

As long as you have good firewall, antivirus program and a maloware scanner or two, if you are still not happy with it's performance for what you want to do then .....