Will this upgrade make much difference?

[Fresco]

Ok, my computer has served me well but is really starting to shows it age.

I am looking at replacing the CPU, Mobo and Ram but am a bit out of touch with things lately.

I have been reading a few posts and people seem to be suggesting the Intel E5200 is a great budget buy. The question is, if I buy this along with 2Gb of ram and a new mobo, would it make much difference. If not then what would you suggest. I dont really want to spend more than £200 on these items.

I dont do anything much more demanding than playing World of Warcraft and watching movies, which my current computer does, but stutters a lot and doesn't like it when you try and do more than 1 thing at a time.

Many thanks.

[Emirzan]

The biggest difference will come from the ram upgrade, in terms of multitasking the difference from 1 to 2gb is massive. I assume the system you're upgrading is the one in your sig?

[Fresco]

Yes, my current computer is the one in my sig.

Thanks for the reply, do you think I would see much improvement if I just go with 2Gb of ram in my existing setup? Do they still even make compatable ram for this motherboard?

[Webby]

If it is a recent thing (the stuttering that is) then you may want to defrag your hard drives can make a huge difference, use a decent program though not windows defrag.

i use O&O Defrag you can get a free trial from their website http://www.oo-software.com/home/en/products/oodefrag/

I'm sure the are free alternatives out there as well if you look.

Oh and you can get DDR memory still but it costs ~2x the price of DDR2 ~£40 for 2GB of DDR-400

[Emirzan]

Or alternatively you might be able to pick up some cheaper DDR memory from the for sale section on this forum. Sure I've seen people selling it, might be worth posting a request in the wanted section.

Webby, when did you ditch the giraffe? (Yes, this is totally off topic I know, sorry) That was an awesome avatar!

[Webby]

Lol everyone loves my Giraffe

Its because of a thread in general discussion (http://forums.hexus.net/general-disc...-tomahawk.html)you may notice that about 10-15 people are all sporting the same Avatar think I may change back to Giraffe shortly though, I miss it too and keep missing my own posts...

[Fresco]

I defrag regularly using disk keeper and it helps but I think its just the system is getting old.

I guess if I can get some cheap ram its worth a try, but seems a waste to spend too much on something I wont be able to reuse.

[Webby]

Yeah, I guess your only other option is new board, CPU and RAM which will set you back a minimum of £120.

[Pob255]

Well 2gb is generally the happy ram number for windows xp, but it's a matter of cost, picking up some 2nd hand is an option. just another 2x512 should be fine.

Next step is a cheap motherboard, e5200 and 2x1gb ddr2
Personally I'd get a low cost cpu cooler to go with it, but I really don't like thoes intel stock coolers.

EDIT: Yeah the Giraffe is back

think I may change back to Giraffe shortly though, I miss it too and keep missing my own posts...

[Zak33]

Fresco...
first get 1 gig of ram, and as its an NForce 4 mobo, get it in a pair.... presuming that you already HAVE a pair of sticks. (ok....you do.. just saw yuor System spec)

DONT get one stick of 1 gig...that mobo wants it in PAIRS...

And then see how you get on..the diference from 1 gig to 2 gig is very good

[Fresco]

Thanks for all your help guys. I think I am going to try the extra ram in my existing system first and see how it goes.

[Fresco]

Just for my own reassurance, could anyone please confirm that the following ram is compatable with my motherboard. I'm a little out of touch with things these days.

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/98690

I think I am going to buy 2 new sticks of ram rather than another 2 x 512Mb to go with my existing. I seem to recall the DFI mobo being quite fussy about memory timings and would not want to bet on it being happy with 2 different types of ram installed.

[McstylisT]

My personal preference is to use 2GB min with XP and 4GB on vista. This is slightly overkill but you will have the full experience this way.

If you bought 1GB i could see you adding another pretty soon. I would add it now. Scan have some awesome deals , especially in " Today only "

McT