Computer Hope
Hardware => Hardware => Topic started by: Snickers on June 27, 2009, 07:42:09 AM
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Hi,
I just recently reformatted my PC, and it is still running slow. I have decided it was time to upgrade a component of two, but I am having a hard time figuring out what would give me the best performance increase. Here is my current configuration:
Mainboard : Asus P5W DH Deluxe
Processor : Intel Core 2 Duo E4400 @ 2000 MHz
Physical Memory : 2048 MB (2 x 1024 DDR2-SDRAM ) PC2-6400 (399 MHz) - [DDR2-800]
Video Card : NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS
So basically my question is: which part should I most upgrade in my computer? I also don't want to go too expensive.
Thanks in advance!
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What exactly do you want to do with it? What kind of programmes do you want to use?
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Oh, I forgot to specify. It is simply heavy multitasking. I often have 6 or 7 different Internet Windows Open, along with a game, a media player, 2 or 3 word documents, MSN Messenger, a torrent client...
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Add as much memory as you can afford...it's relatively cheap these days and it's the single most economical way of increasing performance.
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I just checked, and my motherboard can handle up to 8GB of PC-6400 DDR2 RAM. Considering I have currently 2 sticks of 1GB of PC-6400 each, should I just buy a 4GB pack for a total of 6GB? Or would this have any side effects?
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What version of Windows are you using...
A 32-bit version of Windows is limited to a maximum of 4 GB RAM, and so will not give you the full memory for your applications—operating system processes are mapped into the address space, resulting in an effective memory capacity of 3 GB, or sometimes a bit more. Effectively, the maximum memory capacity is limited to only 3+ GB...... A 64-bit version of Windows will give you access to more available memory as you add it. *
Toms Hardware...*
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I am using Windows XP Pro... sorry for not mentionning it earlier!
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Then anything over 4G is wasted...
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I know there are certain combinations that work better than others. For example, I currently have 2 sticks of 1 GB each. Adding 1 stick of 2 GB would give me a total of 4, but shouldn't I be better off with 2 sticks of 2 GB each?
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See your MBoard manual for reccomendations...
But in general 2 like sized stiks normally perform better.
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It might be a good idea to buy your 4GB (if that is what you want) all from the same manufacturer , a pack of sticks is always a good idea doing this since you might get a little discount.
The reason for this is that all motherboards run at certain RAM frequencies
for example mine runs with RAM from 267 MHz up to 667MHz
but if your other sticks of RAM are slower than yourbought RAM then you wont get the speed of the ram you bought because ram will slow down to equal the slower speed.
Also look out for what type of ram you have ... there are around four types that i know of , DDR , DDR2 , DDR3 and one other that i cant remember right now.
Your motheroard will only accept the memory which is that type (DDR2 , DDR3 etc)
DDR2 seems to be the most widely used in modern computers or there mobos
I have googled your mobo and the ram seems to be DDR2 but double check , don't go on my word.
You gould possibly get an update on your processor but it seems to be a good one... keep an eye out for new ones though cos i think you might be needing an upgrade pretty soon... if you decide to do this you should get a quad core , especially since you multitask alot.
I would reccomend getting a new graphics card aswell but it is not really needed unless you enjoy games like unreal tournament 3 or any other high powered game. I got an inno3D 9400 GT graphics card for £50 ( 81.86 US dollars )
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I'm also going to suggest that you try cleaning some of the clutter from the machine. Check for unnecessary services and unnecessary startup items. Maybe set Windows to use less "eye candy", sure it looks great but it's a resource hog. I also recommend setting your page file to a static size, that will decrease the fragmentation level for it.
Definately go with the RAM upgrade, and like patio says, make sure that you are getting the correct RAM for the mother board. Make sure it is a known brand, Kingston is great.