Hello

My PC is quite slow at the moment (2 x 512MB RAM) and I was considering upgrading to a 2.5GB RAM by buying a 2GB RAM card to replace one of the current 512MD cards.

However, I am not sure if I would benefit if the motherboard was not up to the job, but I am not sure how to assess that.

I have copied and pasted the details of my PC below in the hope that someone could advise me.

Many thanks.

High1

OS Name   Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Version   5.1.2600 Service Pack 3 Build 2600
OS Manufacturer   Microsoft Corporation
System Name   D45YHY0J
System Manufacturer   Dell Computer Corporation
System Model   Dimension 2400
System Type   X86-based PC
Processor   x86 Family 15 Model 2 Stepping 9 GenuineIntel ~2392 Mhz
BIOS Version/Date   Dell Computer Corporation A05, 02/12/2003
SMBIOS Version   2.3
Windows Directory   C:\WINDOWS
System Directory   C:\WINDOWS\system32
Boot Device   \Device\HarddiskVolume2
Locale   United States
Hardware Abstraction Layer   Version = "5.1.2600.5512 (xpsp.080413-2111)"
User Name   D45YHY0J\Don Higham
Time Zone   GMT Standard Time
Total Physical Memory   1,024.00 MB
Available Physical Memory   214.07 MB
Total Virtual Memory   2.00 GB
Available Virtual Memory   1.96 GB
Page File Space   2.40 GB
Page File   C:\pagefile.sys


Ports:

Name   Conexant SmartHSFi V92 56K DF PCI Modem
Status   OK
PNP Device ID   PCI\VEN_14F1&DEV_2702&SUBSYS_8D881043&REV_01\4&3B1CAF2B&0&28F0
Maximum Input Buffer Size   0
Maximum Output Buffer Size   No
Settable Baud Rate   Yes
Settable Data Bits   Yes
Settable Flow Control   Yes
Settable Parity   Yes
Settable Parity Check   Yes
Settable Stop Bits   Yes
Settable RLSD   Yes
Supports RLSD   Yes
Supports 16 Bit Mode   No
Supports Special Characters   No
Baud Rate   9600
Bits/Byte   8
Stop Bits   1
Parity   None
Busy   No
Abort Read/Write on Error   No
Binary Mode Enabled   Yes
Continue XMit on XOFF   No
CTS Outflow Control   Yes
Discard NULL Bytes   No
DSR Outflow Control   0
DSR Sensitivity   0
DTR Flow Control Type   Enable
EOF Character   0
Error Replace Character   0
Error Replacement Enabled   No
Event Character   0
Parity Check Enabled   No
RTS Flow Control Type   Handshake
XOff Character   19
XOffXMit Threshold   10
XOn Character   17
XOnXMit Threshold   10
XOnXOff InFlow Control   0
XOnXOff OutFlow Control   0
Memory Address   0xFE9F0000-0xFE9FFFFF
I/O Port   0x0000DFF8-0x0000DFFF
IRQ Channel   IRQ 17
   
Name   Communications Port (COM1)
Status   OK
PNP Device ID   ACPI\PNP0501\1
Maximum Input Buffer Size   0
Maximum Output Buffer Size   No
Settable Baud Rate   Yes
Settable Data Bits   Yes
Settable Flow Control   Yes
Settable Parity   Yes
Settable Parity Check   Yes
Settable Stop Bits   Yes
Settable RLSD   Yes
Supports RLSD   Yes
Supports 16 Bit Mode   No
Supports Special Characters   No
Baud Rate   9600
Bits/Byte   8
Stop Bits   1
Parity   None
Busy   No
Abort Read/Write on Error   No
Binary Mode Enabled   Yes
Continue XMit on XOff   No
CTS Outflow Control   No
Discard NULL Bytes   No
DSR Outflow Control   0
DSR Sensitivity   0
DTR Flow Control Type   Enable
EOF Character   0
Error Replace Character   0
Error Replacement Enabled   No
Event Character   0
Parity Check Enabled   No
RTS Flow Control Type   Enable
XOff Character   19
XOffXMit Threshold   512
XOn Character   17
XOnXMit Threshold   2048
XOnXOff InFlow Control   0
XOnXOff OutFlow Control   0
I/O Port   0x000003F8-0x000003FF
IRQ Channel   IRQ 4
Driver   c:\windows\system32\drivers\serial.sys (5.1.2600.5512 (xpsp.080413-2108), 63.00 KB (64,512 bytes), 29/08/2002 06:00)

A new graphics card will help to a point - but performance is based off of the overall system.  (Processor, RAM, OS, VIDEO, hard drive).  512MB isn't too bad for a graphics card, what matters is the make/model of the graphics card.  A newer card with 512MB will run more efficiently and process more than an older version.  If you have a 2GB card, it will only benefit from video processing, and not help out in resolving any slowness with RAM and CPU. 

If you do only have 1GB of RAM on your system - it would be cheaper and more efficient to upgrade that to 2-3GB if your motherboard would support it.  I think, unless you are looking to do some hardcare gaming, a windows XP machine with 2GB or RAM, the processor you have, and a modern video card should handle most everyday tasks you throw at it. 

Other than that, you may want to start saving up for a newer machine.  I BELIEVE the average recommended life span for a PC is 4-5 years.  (I know, crazy).I think he meant module, not card.

XP needs a minimum of 1GB.

A reinstall will probably get you more of a speed benefit than a RAM upgrade.With an older P4 CPU in my opinion spending any more cabbage on that rig would be a waste...
Consider putting that towards saving for a new build...Hello

Many thanks for your advice.

I think I might get 1GB of RAM and do a Win XP reinstallation to clear the system of any rubbish.

Thanks again.

HighMake sure you look up your motherboard and find the maximum RAM supported for each slot before ordering.  Nothing worse than buying nice RAM only to find out the motherboard doesn't know how to handle it.Hello Darthgumby

Thanks for your message.

How would I do this: 'find the maximum RAM supported for each slot before ordering'?

Thanks again.

High1 Quote from: High1 on March 07, 2012, 03:47:06 PM

Hello Darthgumby

Thanks for your message.

How would I do this: 'find the maximum RAM supported for each slot before ordering'?

Thanks again.

High1

How would I do this: 'find the maximum RAM supported for each slot before ordering'?

...
XP needs a minimum of 1GB.
...

Not so. Adding more memory to XP brings small returns.