Should I buy a new desktop or upgrade my old one?

[margrave]

I have a five-year-old HP desktop (Win 7, i930 quad, 8 GB RAM, 1 TB main drive, 500 GB secondary).
It used to be a fine performer, but when the 1 TB C: drive failed, the replacement turned out to be a slower drive. I/O performance suffers a bit. (The backup 500 GB D: drive is much faster.)

I could replace the C: drive with a faster one. They're cheap, under $100 for a TB or two.
I could replace the C: drive with a 500 GB SSD. They somewhat cheap, $220 for Samsung's PRO model.
I could replace the whole computer with a contemporary screamer for around $1000.

Obviously the one or two hundred dollar solution is cheaper than a new desktop. But that desktop will have to go to the grave sooner or later. So why put money into the old one?

But if I replace it I'll be stuck with Windows 10, an unappealing prospect.

Thoughts?

 

[whs]

I would add a 128GB SSD just for the OS and programs. The data will be OK on the spinners. This SSD you can get for under $50.

128gb ssd - Newegg.com

 

[AddRAM]

I agree, and there`s no reason to get a 500 GB ssd.

250/256 is plenty.

SSD 850 PRO 2.5” SATA III MZ-7KE256BW | Memory & Storage

SSD 850 EVO 2.5" SATA III 250GB | Samsung Solid State Drives

You can always use the ssd on a future build

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Use cpu-z/ cpuid and post screen shots of the Main board/ mem/ cpu/ graphic's sections
CPU-Z | Softwares | CPUID

As far as the drives you really didn't post any brand/ models so we have no idea what rpm's they are....

Some times newer is better sometimes not
Post what size power supply you have and if you buy a new verify what it has

 

[maxseven]

I have a five-year-old HP desktop...why put money into the old one?

But if I replace it I'll be stuck with Windows 10, an unappealing prospect.

If your only complaint is a slow HDD that is easy (and cheap) to fix these days!!! An SSD would be even better if your hardware fully supports it.

When faced with the pain of re-fitting a new computer with all your programs and files, I say fix the one you have first. After all, for the most part a speedy new machine only feels different for a few days, then you're used to it!

 

[michael diemer]

I agree, upgrade your current machine. My Gateway 5656 is at least 7 years old and going strong. I've upgraded the power supply, hard drives, and put in more RAM, as well as a graphics card. Think of the junk you'll be keeping out of the landfill! Recycle, Re-use, etc.

 

[Layback Bear]

I have a old i7-960/X58 computer and I installed a ssd and it's like a new computer. It started working so much better I went and install a better video card.
The old grandpa computer has got a new life. Makes me happy.

All this means is, if you have a good basic computer you can do some upgrades down the road and get a lot more use out of the old grandpa. A ssd is always a great idea if you can install with the existing hardware.

To me changing operating system does very little. You need the proper hardware to start with. Old hardware is even more old to a new operating system.

 

[chefduane]

I was facing your issues a few months ago and decided to go ahead and upgrade my machine instead of replacing it. I replaced my 5 year old m4a mb with a M5a97R2.0 and went from 8g to 16g memory. I went with a FX6350 Vishera cpu with a slight overclock and a Cooler Master Hyper 212. And then had to upgrade the gpu to an r9 270 2g. (AMD haters insert comments here.) The PS then went from 350w to 750w modular. I now use my old Samsung EVO 850 250g for boot, and a new EVO 850 500g for storage and stuff. I retained my Hitachi Touro 1T for backups. I pretty much upgraded everything but the case - but I did get some new fans for additional cooling. Overkill? Clearly yes! But I have a really nice machine now that is good to go for a while. And it was lots of fun doing the upgrades. Also, a BIG factor was the ability to STAY with Win 7 SP1!

 

[AddRAM]

It really depends on how much money you have and whether if it`s worth it.

I rebuilt a Gateway GT5404 Vista computer, maxed it out and it runs Windows 10 great.

Take your time, do your research, come back here and throw ideas around.

We`ve helped many people pick out parts for a new rig or upgrade an older one.

 

[margrave]

To whs and AddRAM:
I called out a 500 GB SSD because I have bigger demands on data that you might expect.
I have piano software that carries 160 GB of digital audio data. It just won't fit into 128 or 256.
(If not for that 160 GB load, I could fit everything into 350 GB.)

I load 1.1 GB of data every time I start it up, and that takes a lot of time. A fast disk is important.

To ThrashZone:
The disks are 7200 RPM. (Does anybody still have 5400 anymore?)
The 1 TB drive is a Western Digital WD1020FAEX.
The 500 GB drive is a Seagate ST3500418AS.
The specs are: HP HPE-480t, Pegatron 2A86 mobo

To michael diemer:
Just to put some perspective on my inclinations ...
You say you've replaced/upgraded PS, drives, RAM and GPU on your Gateway.
In that situation, I'd have purchased a whole new box.

Layback Bear:
You touch on my main concern:
"An SSD is always a great idea if you can install with the existing hardware."
and
"You need the proper hardware to start with."

That's what I worry about ...
The mobo's SATA connections are quoted at 3 GB/s. Is that adequate?
The BIOS has an AHCI setting. It has been set to AHCI from the day it was new, even though I've never had an SSD. Is that okay?

 

[whs]

You don't put data on the SSD. That buys you very little. The SSD is reserved for the OS and the programs. Data goes on the spinners.

 

[Layback Bear]

You can use a SSD on a 3gb sata connection and it will still be many times faster than a hard drive. I have used 3 and 6 gb sata connections for ssd's.
Having AHCI set in bios should be no problem.

 

[michael diemer]

To michael diemer:
Just to put some perspective on my inclinations ...
You say you've replaced/upgraded PS, drives, RAM and GPU on your Gateway.
In that situation, I'd have purchased a whole new box.

These changes were done piecemeal over time.

 

[margrave]

whs: In other situations I might agree. But for my use, it's critical for data to be on the fastest medium available. The piano software places a high demand on data retrieval. (Read the music forums.)

So do the databases that I use. But those are going to have to stay on disk drives. I'm not prepared to buy a 1 TB SSD. Not yet.

Anyway ... I guess I'll give the SSD a try. Now which one?

Samsung seems to be the leading brand. For 500 GB, the 850 EVO is around $150, while the 850 PRO is at $220.

Or should I buy some other brand?

 

[whs]

Samsung is fine but a bit pricey. I like the Mushkins.

mushkin ssd - Newegg.com

 

[Layback Bear]

Prices go all over the place daily. If one monitors their favorite websites they will probable run into sales. I paid $300.00 for a 500GB EVO Samsung about a year ago. I didn't catch a sale.
I have paid top price for a few Intel SSD but yet around last Christ mas I got two Intel SSD's for about half price. That was cheaper than my Intel Dealer in town could buy them. They would only let me buy 2 or I would of got more. You just have to keep looking for sales. When you find one buy. Some times the sales don't last long.

I ended up RMA the Samsung and then gave it away. I spent to much time trying to get the damn thing working so I don't want another one in my house. I don't need the headaches.

 

[margrave]

I'm now thinking about doubling down on this.

I found the HP ENVY 750xt desktop for $975. And it has Windows 7!
Much newer, faster, better. That can become my everyday box.

Meanwhile the old computer can be fully committed to its piano music role. I can take off all the "bulk" ... software and all the personal files. Once I skinny it down to around 200 GB it will all fit on a 250 GB SSD.

 

[BorisTheAnimal]

Not to poo on your dreams but have you considered building a computer?

I can tell you it is very informative and maybe it will give you the same flame it gave me about computers and IT.

 

[margrave]

My days of building are long past.

The last time I considered it (nearly 15 years ago), the build-it-yourself price was trumped by the ready-made price. Only if I were to pirate a copy of Windows could I build for the same price as buy. Otherwise it just didn't pay.

So I always buy. I just plug it in, turn it on, and it works.

 

[BorisTheAnimal]

Alright, 't was just a friendly advice.

Hm though I'm curious if it actually is that you won't get cheaper away with building yourself.

I mean I do understand the awesome feeling of just plug and play but but.