old computer

I have a Dell 3000 which is 6+ years old. I runs pretty well. It currently
has 512ram/P4/2.80ghz.I know the ram should be alot more. Question is, should I just invest in more ram, or just start over with a new computer do
to the age of it? :confused

 

6+ years is not a long time, My old banger here is about that age and is running just fine, depending on what you use it for I would just add some more memory and see how it goes as its cheap enough these days.

 

I don't see you complaining about performance, I'd fit a GB or 2 more RAM and keep using it.

I'm running a P4 2.4Ghz here.

 

Thanks for your thoughts on this. I believe I will just add some
memory and see how that works.

 

Let us know the outcome

 

will post the results of the "grand expierment". :-D

 

Fastest, cheapest and easiest upgrade possible.
1-2GB extra will surprise you in performance.

 

Unless you wind up with a Dell that has RamBus RAM, then it would be cheaper to buy a new computer! I got a couple of Dells from another offce that upgraded their PCs, they were 1.8ghz, so I thought I'd take them and upgrade the RAM - Whoa sticker shock!!

 

According to http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/SYSTEMS/dim3000/en/SM/specs.htm#wp1075776, it uses 333- and 400-MHz DDR SDRAM, not RamBus RAM. So, I'd add memory.

What OS are you running? I'm running Win 7 on a Pentium 4, 2.67GHz, with 2GB of DDR 400 SDRAM. I'm thinking of adding 1GB, for a total of 3GB.

 

How many slots do you have? If you have 4, go for a full 4 GB of RAM.

 

I have 4 slots and the computer recognizes dual channel memory. I may go for a full 4GB of RAM. The extra cost would be probably be a good investment to maximize the life of this system.

 

As the owner of a Dell Dimension 8400 circa 2005, single core, 3.2 Ghz, I can attest that 4 gb of RAM and Win 7 are primo.

 

I didn't look up the specs I was just conveying a story for anyone following along at home. Saying in general RAM upgrades are not always the cheapest route.

Wasn't this Wayne's thread? lol

 

Heres a link that has specified what Ram you need for a Dell Dimension 3000. Look at your other stick of Ram and choose accordingly. Also I suggest you look at the link that usafveteran has given you.

http://www.easyasmypc.com/l6-dell-dimension-3000-how-to-upgrade-cpu-ram-kits

 

I wouldn't put Ram in,Balance is key your not gonna be able to do anything with that computer that will need more than 1gig of ram or less,if you see a used half meg stick laying around for cheap maybe.

I'd get a half decent flash drive with a low seek time and and put a fresh copy of windows on it switching your old drives to storage drives.

You could spend from £40 up it will be like having a new computer the better drive you get the faster your computer will be LITERALLY,if your forward thinking don't skimp,get a decent one and you can use it as your OS drive for your next computer.

MY £2.

 

I had a 1GHz Celeron, XP and 512MB(max) and it did all I needed at the time, listen to music or watch a movie and surfing and has now found a new home where it is being used as a Linux server.

@Wayne- what is your purpose to upgrade an machine like that, what do you want to do with it? You just say faster, what do you want to be faster? It is after all 6 yrs. old and as Rikky said, you need balance. If you look around you can find excellent deals on Core2Duos which will blow you away on the speed, especially if you're converting videos!

 

I just use the computer for normal stuff. Nothing out of the ordinary. I added 2gb of memory. Question - is the computer suppose to reconize the memory or is there something else I need to do? :confused

 

Usually Dell's require you to enter the BIOS setup when you first power up after a hardware change (it'll prompt you on the screen F1 or F2 I forget which).

re: older computers
I took the guts out of an Dell Optiplex GS270 that needed a new mobo. Got a cheap Biostar mobo, put the 2.8Ghz P4 in it, added 3Gb ram, an old PCIe vid card, the Optiplex's hard drive, CD burner, a fresh install of Win 7 and it runs great. It's in our guest bedroom, grandkids use it all the time.

Gave my ex-wife an old system I had: Athlon 64 2.4Ghz, 2Gb, 250Gb HD, 512mb AGP video card. Runs Win 7 just fine and does all she needs a pc to do (web surfing, email, video and music).

Took my wife's Inspiron 8500 laptop bumped the memory from 512mb to 2Gb, the video card module from a 32mb to a 128mb ATI one and the hard drive from 40Gb to 160gb. Runs Win 7 great, does what she needs it to, should last a couple more years.

Hate just dumping older but still useful systems if they'll run a current OS. I can usually find someone who has simple enough needs an older system will fill.

Sam