Upgrade or Replace? Help needed!

[Bonyman]

Hi

 

My current set up is as follows:

 

Intel Duo E8400 3.0ghz

2GB RAM

Radeon HD4870 1GB Graphics Card

Windows XP Home

500GB SATA hard drive

 

This is about six years old and has grown increasingly slower. Not used for gaming but more so for Photoshop and web browsing. I am wondering if there is any benefit in doubling the RAM (motherboard can only take 4GB) and replacing the hard drive with SSD plus new SATA drive or should I be thinking of a new system? And also maybe replacing the Operating System. All advice gratefully received. Thanks!

[KenB]

Hi and welcome to ExTS

 

Windows XPHome

I am sure that you are aware that M$oft have withdrawn support for XP as of April this year ?

In other words - whilst the OS is perfectly good ....it is progressively more vulnerable.

 

Most AV software is still receiving updates and will do so for the next 2-3 years

 

I am wondering if there is any benefit in doubling the RAM

Without a re-install I doubt that doubling the RAM will make the system any quicker.

XP runs very well on just 1GB RAM .....2GB is more than enough ( or should be )

 

replacing the hard drivewith SSD

We have members here who have invested in a SSD drive - they will be able to advise you better on this one.

Suffice to say .... this is an expensive investment and I have to ask is it worth it on a 6 year old machine ?

 

has grown increasingly slower.

This is fairly typical of XP.

A re-install should solve this ...if you decide to go down this route.

 

also maybe replacing the Operating System.

This is an option.

If you are thinking along these lines then Win 7 or Win 8 is the way to go.

You may find that your present system is not up to running either of these.

Run Win7 Upgrade Adviser - click here

This will let you know ( for Win7 anyway :) )

 

If your system will support Win 7 we can take it from there.

[Plastic Nev]

Hi, further to KenB's advice.

If you wish to upgrade to Windows 7, which is now at service pack 1, you will have to be quick to buy a copy from a retailer, as Microsoft have now stopped selling it themselves, so any remaining copies will be through retail outlets and no doubt will soon dry up.

Please make sure you buy a genuine copy and not a hacked version, which some unscrupulous people sell on E Bay. Any hacked version we cannot offer any help with other than advising how to get rid of it.

 

Nev.

[Bonyman]

Hi, further to KenB's advice.

If you wish to upgrade to Windows 7, which is now at service pack 1, you will have to be quick to buy a copy from a retailer, as Microsoft have now stopped selling it themselves, so any remaining copies will be through retail outlets and no doubt will soon dry up.

Please make sure you buy a genuine copy and not a hacked version, which some unscrupulous people sell on E Bay. Any hacked version we cannot offer any help with other than advising how to get rid of it.

 

Nev.

 

Thanks to both of you for the advice. Think I'm going to go for a new set up rather than try to squeeze more life out of the old.

[KenB]

Hi

Think I'm going to go for a new set up

 

if you can afford it - this is probably the best way to go.

You will find that all of the Operating Systems are Win 8 - which you will find a bit awkward at first.

( unless you can get hold of Win 7 :) )

[Plastic Nev]

If in or near a larger town or city, take the time to browse any computer shops, many of the smaller dealers and repair specialists are now selling used and refurbished second hand Windows 7 computers, some quite good machines at reasonable prices too. Even these places that are the next thing to a pawnbroker second hand shops are worth looking into if only to get a good idea of prices.

Don't just assume you will have to buy something brand new, as some second hand refurbished machines might not have seen much use, possibly why they were sold.

 

Nev.