Upgrading my Computer

[captcadaver]

Given my specs, what's the most effective way to improve my computer's performance?

Sorry for the vague question. Let me know if you need any more information.

 

[essenbe]

Real simple answer. SSD

 

[captcadaver]

Why?

 

[essenbe]

Upgrading

I think you will see more improvement from an SSD than probably any thing else you could do. I know I did and ahve heard that exact same statement from many on this board. It is almost like getting a new computer. Just my opinion. The SSD will speed it up considerably. Which one is left up to you.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Capt. C,
Just remember that this will only be for you OS & Apps. All of your data, music, photos etc. will go on the spinner. You will gain a snappiness booting and opening programs that you never knew your system could be. It's truly a transformational device. 60-80gb is a good size and the prices have fallen to reasonable levels considering the performance gains.

 

[Ivan the SoSo]

maybe a newer video card...but ssd is well worth the money too....

 

[Amric]

What, specifically, are you looking to improve upon? It might help get you a more pertinent answer.

 

[Darryl Licht]

First off, I disagree with others saying SSD... that will only improve boot time and apps running off HDD only. Also, IMHO they are still overpriced! Also you may experience "issues" with an HP OEM PC and an SSD.

You also didnt say if your Win7 is 32 or 64 bit in specs... Also, a very important item... how much can you afford or do you want to spend?

And... what is your main usage for this PC??? In otherwords, where would you like to see the performance improved???

=======================================================

Your current mobo/cpu can accept a max of 8GB ram but you need to be running 64 bit Win7 to take advantage of anything over 4GB. See HP Specs here: http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm/WF06a/12454-12454-64287-321860-3328898-3459241.html <--- BTW these specs state your video card is a 8400 GF which only has 256MB of video memory (an 8400 GS has 512MB)!

Just basic answers here... (assuming that you dont want to upgrade Mobo/CPU)

If you are a gamer and want to improve performance in games, then yes a video card will do that very nicely! By todays standards your video card is very old, feeble, and weak!

If not a gamer and you run a 64 bit version of Win7, then an upgrade to 6 or 8 GB of RAM for all around performance improvement.

Both options I stated are good "bang for the buck" upgrades! IMHO!!!

 

[smarteyeball]

Performance wise, there's not a lot you can really do.

► A bigger monitor

Not a performance increase, but still an improvement.


► New video card

Your options here will be very limited. Your case just doesn't have the room for decent / high end cards and your current Power Supply will be a limiting factor as well.

► SSD

You would notice an improvement in overall system responsiveness, but you'll be hamstrung a little by your ICH9 chipset. It will still be quicker than a HDD, however.

► Memory

Questionable. You'd be hard pressed to notice the difference going from 4GB to 8GB. It might make the OS feel a little 'smoother', but unless you are currently maxing all your RAM, then it will be more of a placebo effect. If you have an x86 Installation, then it's even more pointless as it would go to waste.

 

[essenbe]

Smarteteball, I agree with all of your assments they are all spot on. I have tried them all at different times and noticed some improvements in specific areas with each one. However, when I installed my SSD I saw the biggest improvement in overall performance than all the others put together.

If he wanted to do a full upgrade - bassically a new computer case, MB, graphics Etc., I might have some different ideas. But I inferred from the question that he did not want to do that. If I misunderstood, I apologize.

 

[Darryl Licht]

I still disagree regarding the SSD as a general user upgrade, I'd say it's more appropriate for an advanced user, gamer, or power user. Or anyone with deep pockets... <-- not many have them in todays economy!

For one thing the O.P. never really stated his/her budget or what exactly he/she wanted to improve performance wise... If OP is a gamer that 256MB vid card is a huge bottleneck for todays games... sure that slimline HP cant take a huge $300+ high end video card, but there are plenty out there with 1GB that will fit fine!

Lets look at this another way... a 120-200GB SSD (enough for most average users OS and apps) is going to set you back anywhere from $220 to $400 or more. That will improve boot time and app start times for sure, but for the general user who types a few docs, surfs the Internet, and MyFace, Spacebook, etc... It's overkill!

For that same amount of money you could upgrade all these: video card, RAM, and get a faster mechanical HDD with a TB or more storage! I try and spend someone else's $ as if it were my own, and my money doesnt go as far as it used to!

In the end, captcadaver has some questions to answer before we can actually and more importantly properly answer his/her upgrade questions!

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Yes but my 64gb was only $130.00 usd delivered and I hear rumor that Crucial is having a half off refurbished sale. 128-258 is only for well healed and those whom have tons of Apps and games. I have Office Pro '07, ACT, Photoshop, Quicken and much much more and I have 16gb free.

 

[Darryl Licht]

:sarc:<SARC> Ohhh I know I get excited whenever I see refurbished hardware!</SARC>:sarc:
LMAO!!!

Your SSD is 64GB??? You've gotta be kidding me! My music wont even fit on 64GB! My main HDD is a 750GB with only 250GB free.... lets not even get to the other 3 behemoth drives storing videos, photos, and disc images!

 

[linnemeyerhere]

You don't put data on your SSD my friend only OS and Apps. And I would give a recond'd SSD a try any day as they have no moving parts. I have 6TB's of spinners but all Apps boot from SSD and yes 64 is more than enough ! It has made the greatest leap in speed of any upgrade.

 

[Darryl Licht]

You don't put data on your SSD my friend only OS and Apps. And I would give a recond'd SSD a try any day as they have no moving parts. I have 6TB's of spinners but all Apps boot from SSD and yes 64 is more than enough ! It has made the greatest leap in speed of any upgrade.

I fully realize that, but you dont have many apps and a 64 is fine for you! Im stating that some people would need a much bigger SSD, especially a user with a laptop which can only house a single drive! It may speed up boot time and app start up, but once your in a browser, or Word processor, what good is all that speed? It doesnt speed up your typing! LOL!

I still think we have aways to go and the price will have to drop on SSDs significantly before they are a good upgrade for the average wallet and user!

 

[linnemeyerhere]

So may you suggesting a course in speed reading or a good speed typing course would be a better investment? You could well be right. There are lots of ways to speed up a system and each system has a unique set of bottlenecks and considerations. But I haven't seen a system yet that didn't benefit from the SSD upgrade and yes it sounds like you may well have to wait till the 1/2TB or larger is affordable. Till then nothing wrong with a good spinner or more.
Have a good Turkey day and remember we are what we eat !

 

[essenbe]

Linneymeyerhere, I happen to agree with you. OS and Apps can take up little room. I have 4 TB of spinners to place my documents on. Everything you do is considerably faster. As far as I am concerned, I can't imagine going back to all spinners. If you don't want a SSD. Buy 4 Samsung Spinpoint HD103SJ, in raid 0. They will rival a ssd in many cases, but not response time. For the money, they are probably the fastest spinners around. but that is another subject. SSD's are fantastic, it just takes a little work and thought to set them up right.

 

[Darryl Licht]

We can differ back and forth on the merits of SSD's forever...

The point is the OP hasnt bothered telling us what he/she uses system for, where he/she want to improve performance, and how much $ he/she is willing to spend!

All very important factors before anyone can really give solid advice!

 

[captcadaver]

Well, here's how I use my desktop. I'm a junior in undergrad.

-Surfing the web (Facebook, Twitter, e-mail, Google Reader, school stuff)
-Homework (writing papers, doing spreadsheets, sometimes coding) -- right now I take a mix of business and CS courses. Hopefully will get into some industrial design, which might require special software
-Web development
-I rarely game unless I'm at home

I've also got a nice dual screen setup going on. They're both 17" monitors: http://www.lcdnfo.com/html/Samsung_713N-lcd-monitor.html http://accessories.dell.com/sna/pop...1&l=en&price=329&s=dhs&sku=320-3997&~lt=popup

I just bought a 2 TB external HD to backup stuff (like media that I rarely watch) because I need to reinstall Windows 7, and I might go and buy a 23" monitor today. I'm not sure though. ><

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Well Industrial design could mean CAD and that's a whole new can of beans. But for everything else your system is good if not more than adequate. Still if you want transformational for the cost of just one of those dual monitors then whole heartedly I recommend the SSD. Look for a 60-80 or if you can swing it a 128GB SSD. Clean install your OS and Applications which does take time......but when done you will love the change in speed and response. Of course my opinion.