Computer...Do I need more memory?

[nleksan]

I make a hobby of refurbishing and donating old PC's to a local women's shelter, and consequently have dozens of old PC's lying around. Also, around 35-40 CPU's from the P4 to Core2 era, a few hundred sticks of RAM (SDR to DDR3), misc GPU's (mostly AGP), dozens of HDD's, and so on.
If you need anything to get your current computer a bit more up to date, I wouldbe hhappy to help. Just let me know what is needed, and pay for the shipping and it's yours.

 

[Rand]

or just buy a refurb core2duo dualcore 2.5ghz for around 100-130$

 

[rjundi]

Originally Posted By: Warstud
It's a Dell 4550 with a Intel Pentium 4 2.00 GHz processor. Will take 2GB memory. Has 1 empty slot. Has Windows XP.


Get 2GB the machine will likely work really pretty well for your needs.

I find in my Virtual machines running Windows XP used for testing 256MB is too little, 512MB a lot better and 1GB - 2GB they fly so to speak.

XP is a really great operating system if you have little RAM and limited processor. Another hint, turn off your virus protection if you want speed and use only for browsing. Modern virus protection kills those old machines.

 

[berniedd]

If you're looking to get more life and better performance from that old machine for free, download and install Lubuntu. Hardware and Graphics chip demands are light. Trust me, it feels and looks like Windows XP. The download also contains Office software that is largely compatible for ordinary MS Office documents like Word and Excel.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

What's the difference between Lubuntu and Ubuntu?

 

[berniedd]

Lubuntu's hardware requirements on processor speed, graphics capability and RAM are less than regular Ubuntu. I guess the "L" stands for lighter requirements. So it can work in older systems where Ubuntu would run like a slug or not at all. I recently installed Lubuntu 12 LTS (made in 2012, with Long Term Support for 5 years) on a 9 year old desktop system with 1.4 GHz single core processor and 512 MB 333 MHz RAM and it runs with hardly a hiccup.

 

[kkreit01]

I don't see how you can even function at that level. My old basement PC has 1GB, but it's running Vista. I can barely surf the web. The memory is usually running at 90%. I've disabled all I can. Virus protection + Firefox/IE take that much.

 

[Warstud]

Originally Posted By: rjundi
Originally Posted By: Warstud
It's a Dell 4550 with a Intel Pentium 4 2.00 GHz processor. Will take 2GB memory. Has 1 empty slot. Has Windows XP.


Get 2GB the machine will likely work really pretty well for your needs.

I find in my Virtual machines running Windows XP used for testing 256MB is too little, 512MB a lot better and 1GB - 2GB they fly so to speak.

XP is a really great operating system if you have little RAM and limited processor. Another hint, turn off your virus protection if you want speed and use only for browsing. Modern virus protection kills those old machines.


You were right...I put 2GB in and this thing Rocks. No need for a new computer yet. My e-mail and facebook was a big drag on this computer...not anymore. Also no more "pages unresponsive" messages.

 

[Ramblejam]

Originally Posted By: Warstud
You were right...I put 2GB in and this thing Rocks. No need for a new computer yet. My e-mail and facebook was a big drag on this computer...not anymore. Also no more "pages unresponsive" messages.


As aformentioned, an AGP graphics card would compliment that new 2GB very nicely. Source one from Ebay/Craigslist, or even new from Newegg ($32 for a GeForce 6200 with 512MB onboard).

 

[Rand]

A whole "new" refurb computer thats 4-5x as fast only costs 100-140$ or so

Intel Pentium 4 2.00GHz
Average CPU Mark 189

this 99$ microcenter refurb
http://www.microcenter.com/product/427060/DC7700_Desktop_Computer_Refurbished

cpu mark 1065
or 5.5x faster

as a bonus it comes with windows 7


or http://www.microcenter.com/product/427849/ThinkCentre_A62_Desktop_Computer_Off_Lease_Refurbished

cpumark 1300~~ or 6.8x faster

99$

almost 7x not fast enough

for 119.99$
http://www.microcenter.com/product/410006/57_Desktop_Computer_Refurbished
1500 cpu mark


they have some dell's too for the 120-140 range.

all come with windows 7, dvd-rom(or burner)
also they list min specs.. some have bigger hdd, burner instead of reader, etc.

 

[Warstud]

Thanks for the info but it seems my computer is meeting my needs now and only cost me $15.

 

[Rand]

Originally Posted By: Warstud
Thanks for the info but it seems my computer is meeting my needs now and only cost me $15.

Glad thats working out for you.