Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Upgrading my Dell Dimension

  • 03-04-2006 3:14pm
    #1
    Stacksey
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 498 ✭✭


    Have a dell dimension with 512 pc133 SDRam, Pentium 4 1.7GHz and would like to increase the systems performance, would i need to buy and new motherboard and processor for optimal performance, thanks


Comments

  • #2
    SeanW
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,168 ✭✭✭SeanW


    Ouch :( I'm using a DELL Dimension 4400) similar spec to yours. I spent hundreds upgrading my machine over the years. Mine is pushed to the limits though.

    I assume you're using Windows XP?

    If you really want to improve performance, kill Visual Themes. From the desktop, right click "My Computer" click "Properties" then the "advanced" tab, then the Settings button under performance, once inside deselct everything except "Smooth edges of screen fonts" and hit OK.

    You may also consider dumping the playskool GUI and using the Classic instead, ditto for the Start menu.

    I did, and my computer is several times faster now than it ever was with WinXP.

    You can also upgrade things like your RAM, HD, optical drives, but beware, I don't think 2002 Dells support SATA/SATA 2 Hard Drives or anything to do with USB 2. If you're going to add a hard drive it must be an IDE.

    Also something to look at would be your graphics card, if you're into games, you can probably go up to a newer GeForce or something, nothing too expensive though as a hi-tech card's capabilities would be largely wasted on an older system.

    DELL mobos are customed to the case and vice-versa, and in far too many ways they are un-upgradeable, you'd be better off buying a new computer if you want to add stuff like a new processor, 6-in-1 drives, ATA/SATA/SATA 2 Hard Drives, faster RAM, USB 2 capability or stuff like that.


  • #3
    uberpixie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,864 ✭✭✭uberpixie


    Stacksey wrote:
    Have a dell dimension with 512 pc133 SDRam, Pentium 4 1.7GHz and would like to increase the systems performance, would i need to buy and new motherboard and processor for optimal performance, thanks

    Buy/build a new pc if you want to game heavily.

    Seriously.

    Dell power supplies and mother boards only fit in dell cases....

    If you want a new mobo and ram you are buying a new case and PSU as well.

    If you just use the pc for genral web browsing etc... get another 512mb of ram from shop4memory.com(they sell dell compat stuff) and a new ide hardrive if you need the space.

    And a fresh install of xp wouldn't hurt either ;-)


Advertisement