Processor

Hello everyone.
I am new to this and certainly not a youngster. I am probably old enough to be a grandfather to most of you. LOL
I had this computer built about 6 months ago. When I had it built I mentioned to the young fellow that built it that I would like to upgrade to a better, little more powerful processor somewhere along the line. Well that line is now here and I want to upgrade
Supposedly I now have an A open board with a Pentium 4 2.8 and 1G of ram.
My question is, does anyone think/know how much more I could upgrade if at all?
Thank you all for your time.
Tino

 

It's hard to say without a motherboard model number. But if you have 2 RAM slots, the max RAM is probably 2gb. Generally speaking (not always tho'), you get 1gb per RAM slot, some boards will accept up to 4gb per RAM slot, it depends on the model. As far as your CPU; again, w/o a model number for your motherboard, there's not much I can tell you....

hopperdave2000

 

If I open it can I see a name or description on the board?
How can I find out which board it is?
Thank you.

 

An easy way is to download
Everest
http://www.majorgeeks.com/EVEREST_Free_Edition_d4181.html

Its freeware !

Once installed
start the program
select: computer
select: summary

and copy the 'motherboard name' details

 

Do the Everest it's a good program and will certainly tell you a deal about your system. You can always ask questions on Major Geeks about its entries.

I do not think you will see a significant improvement by changing your processor. More memory will provide a better investment.

I presume you are running XP. Major Geeks currently has a thread dedicated to trimming XP to the lean and mean olympiad operating system it is billed as. And tweaks are generally free.

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=121452

Studio T

 

Thank you very much, you guys are fantastic.
I have a screenshot of the Everest info but can't figure out how to put it on this board.
Thank you.

 

Start a reply posting
go advanced
click on the paper clip icon in the toolbar
the manage attachments box open
upload the file
close the manage attachments box
click on previw post and presto there is your attachment.

Note the file size limitations for future reference.
There is a long text file now in the other thread about XP.

Studio T

 

Don't necessarily agree that more RAM is the way to go unless you are a power user or hard core gamer.

I added 1 gig to my 1 gig laptop, to 2 gigs, thinking it might make a difference.
Most times almost 1½ gigs of my RAM is not used.
I think 1 gig is enough in Xp for non power users.

To check out much RAM you use, or don't use, download FreeRam XP Pro at

FreeRAM XP Pro 1.52
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=1670

and run it for a while before you invest in more RAM. Bazza

 

Thank you.
Here is the info on my computer.

 

Here is the link to the mobo
http://usa.aopen.com/products_detail.aspx?auno=1301

 

the p4 extreme edition is the best u can get for that board

it has more cache and a bit faster clock speeds, i may get one myself to keep this rig of mine alive a bit longer

http://search.ebay.com/search/searc...itle=p4+EE+478&category0=&submitSearch=Search

they are kinda old though and can only really be found on ebay

 

Thank you very much viper. You guys are all great!
One more thing please.
I downloaded the "free ram" xp pro 1.52 and it shows (but fluxuates)
RAM @ 60%
LOAD @ 24%
Does that mean I need more memory?
Thank you again fellows.

 

Look at post #22 in

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=121452

Studio T

 

What is this?

 

What is MOBO?
Thank you.

 

shanemail read the everest information, which notes which motherboard your computer has, and kindly found the manufacturers website to look at to tell you all about it.
MOBO = motherboard.

If you are thinking of doing any hardware changes yourself (memory, processor etc) I recommend you post and ask how to do it to avoid damaging
something as it is very easy to destroy electronic parts with static electricity.


Studio T

 

Thank you to all.
I appreciate your knowledge/experience.
Tino

 

My FreeRam XP Pro has a little box down by the time (bottom right). For my 2 gigs of RAM it shows 1583 megs free just now. Yes it fluctuates, that is the point of the program. Double clicking on the little box frees up more RAM instantly.

With 1 gig of RAM it should show around 500 megs free. You may have to fiddle with the defaults to get it working like mine. Send a Private Message to me and I will explain my defaults.

I've never noticed RAM and LOAD percentages, probably because of my defaults.
I have the splashscreen set to OFF, by default, so only the little icon appears.
Bazza

===

 

ive got a gig of ram and i usually idle about 600-700 megs free

freeramxp pro is a great program, very nice to run before playing a game

 

You guys are BOMB! :major

 

Is there something simple I can do to free up some more ram?
I am currently running at 655 mb with my 1G.

Also, would getting another gig speed up what I currently have?
Thank you in advance.
Tino

 

I just started a game (Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter) with 750 mb and a minute or so into it I got as low as 10! What gives? Is there something I can do to get as much as 500 or so?

 

playing a new game like GRAW, the extra gig will do wonders. it will run much smoother and load much faster and also allows you to multi-task better. id recommend getting the extra gig if you can.

when u were playing, did u alt-tab (minimize) it and check WHILE the game was going? if so, it shouldnt matter, it will use as much RAM as it can so unless you were having problems playing during that time i wouldnt worry about it

 

Modern computers are over resourced for routine jobs, but have quite a way to go to fulfill the aspirations of gamers. Thus games use resources to the limit available. The gamers motto is 'ya can't have too much'. This is an observation not a criticism as progress is made by finding out what happens at the limits and of course in a non critical way in a game. It's fun to fnd out.

Studio T

 

Thanks again guys!

 

As I mentioned in reply #8, you don't need 2 gigs unless you are a power user, or gamer. As you are a gamer ,and Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter apparently likes lots of your free RAM, then 2 gigs would certainly help you. Bazza

===

 

Thank you Bazza.
I am looking into some ram now.
Tino.

 

You're welcome. Let us know what you get, and how it goes. Bazza

===

 

Now I wonder which Somerset player said that?

Studio T

 

I sure will Bazza.

Good one Studio.

 

This is a handy site to find out what memory is suited to your system
http://www.crucial.com/

 

Hey guys.
I want to thank you again for all the help and knowledge.
I did get the extra gig and the ES processor.
WOW! what a difference when playing GRAW!!!
Happy Easter to all.
Tino

 

The Easter Geek replaces the Easter Bunny!


Thanks for letting us know.


Studio T