Upgrade pc

[samz90]

I have a packard bell imedia 1403. I want to make it faster as its a bit slow on start up and when Im using programs. It currently has a 2.8 Ghz processor and 256mb of RAM. Whats the best and cheapest way to upgrade it? Where can I buy this stuff online?

ps I do have a dual channel motherboard, so can fit two sticks in.

[Impret-Sir]

The most cost effective way to up-grade a PC is always to increase Ram before anything else, in theory the more the better. If your PC has a graphics 'chip' on the motherboard, rather than a separate graphics card, then your Ram is being shared with this chip as well as performing its usual functions, so a seperate graphics card will speed things up, (as well as improving graphics quality is graphics intensive programs such as games.)

You wont notice any real speed gains from replacing your CPR, a 2.8 Ghz chip is faster than most programs will need already.

[vehelpfulguy]

As already stated, extra memory will help a lot.

256Mb is about the minimum for Windows XP, even less if the graphics is using some of it.

Memory comes in sticks of various sizes, 128Mb, 256Mb, 512Mb etc. so you need to find out what is already in your computer.

If you have a single 256Mb then you can add another 256Mb (although mixing memory makes can cause problems).

You could also remove the 256Mb and replace it with a single 512Mb.

Or you could go mad and buy 2 x 512Mb and have 1Gg which would be plenty.

2 x 512Mb should only cost you about �60.00

Note not all memory is the same. You need to buy the correct speed for your motherboard. Take the existing memory out and see if you can find out what type it is.

It will normally have details on a small label on the side of the memory, or look in the manual that came with your PC.

Fitting memory is easy (as long as you do not force it).

[vehelpfulguy]

Lots of sites to buy online:

http://www.eclipsecomputers.com/categories.aspx?cat=23&catname=Memory

http://www.dabs.com/

http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/

http://www.cclonline.com/

[samz90]

On the RAM card it says

256MB, DDR, 400, CL3

[vehelpfulguy]

So you have 256Mb of DDR400 memory.

DDR400 relates to the internal speed of the memory.

So as you can see from this site, DDR400 will identify the type of memory.

http://www.eclipsecomputers.com/categories.aspx?cat=23&catname=Memory

So you could buy another 256Mb of DDR400 memory (same make if possible) or buy a single 512Mb of DDR400 memory that will only set you back about �25.

You could then try to run the 512Mb AND 256Mb together (for a total of 768Mb) but if that gives problems you could remove the 256Mb and run the 512Mb on its own so you will still be better off.

If you can afford it buy 2 x 512Mb and with a total of 1024Mb you will set up for the next few years.

p.s. check with your PC manual the maximum memory the PC can take. As it is a newish PC you should be OK with 1024Mb.

[samz90]

Im unsure of the make of the current RAM, so I think I will opt for the 2 x 512mb. Is there anything I have to install when I get them?

[fo3nix]

also, there are some other things you can do to speed it up.

first, make sure you've checked for spyware, virii etc. as usual. what firewall do you use? if you use zonealarm, change to kerio personal firewall. it's better, and a lot faster to start up.

also, uninstall any junk you have on there that you don't want. those programs you were trying out but don't really use any more. if you don't use them, take them off.

if you feel brave enough, go into control panel, select classic view and go into the administrative tools. there will be a services icon. in there, it shows all the services that run on your computer. the automatic ones, that are on now, probably start up when you start your computer. you'll need to several of them on, but if there are any you know that you don't need on, feel free to double-click it, and stop it and change the starting mode to "manual". only do it if you're confident you wont need it though. this is an easy way to stop your computer from working properly!

[samz90]

This is the one I will buy I think.

http://www.eclipsecomputers.com/product.aspx?code=MER-10 24-32DC

[fo3nix]

samz: doesn't need any software installation or anything. just turn the two pieces of plastic on either side of current RAM to the side, pointing away from the RAM, and pull old one out. then put in the new one, do same for other slot too. then one in securely, push the two pieces of plastic back up to pointing vertically.

when you start up, does it normally count the ram for you? if you usually see that screen, make sure it tells you that you have 1024mb ram (or something near that). if you don't get a screen like that, just let windows start and right-click my computer, goto properties, and it'll tell you ram there.

[fo3nix]

that page doesn't show anything samz (not to me anyway).

something like this should do fine:
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProduc tID=237278

[samz90]

On that link it says that the CL is 2.5, I think I need a 3. does it matter?

[fo3nix]

samz: it's the CAS Latency. for that number, it's the lower the better. so 2.5 is better to go for than your 3.

anyway, most figures are usually rounded up to the next whole number, so the 2.5 is really a 3 anyway in that sense. it'll be fine.

[samz90]

Thanks for your help, I will order it tomorrow.