Upgrading my pc

Den_M

I'm upgrading my computer's RAM and putting in another hard soon.
It's a Dell Dimension 8250 (2.8ghz p4, 256ram, 60gb hd)

Knowing what RAM to get is confusing me, I did the steps on komplett.ie to ensure you're getting comaptible stuff but then it says that they don't have that kind of RAM. I think I need to get PC1066, does that sound right?
The sites I did see having the RAM I need were charging crazy prices, like 600quid for 2*512 chips (I think it has to be installed in pairs)
I know I have 4 slots, 2 are in use with 128 in each.

Could someone point me in the right direction to get the same RAM or some other compatible RAM at a better price?

Also will any internal hard drive work in my pc? I have my eye on a 320gb Barracuda one on komplett.ie

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

PogMoThoin

http://memory.neon-drive.com/s4m.php?model_num=22&oemid=DEL&thisman=DELL
Might be cheaper to buy a new pc.

Den_M

I really didn't expect to pay 533euro for 1gb of RAM for a machine that's almost 5 years old though. And there isnt much point putting in less and just using up the slots. Gah.
What about the hard drive I was talking about?

PogMoThoin

this 1 is suitable:
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=320713

Sorry to say but you'll be cheaper buy new pc than upgrade. Newer parts are cheaper cos theres demand for them. I'll be selling a 1 yo Dell Xps (P4 3ghz) in a month if your interested. Has 160gb SATA hd and 2gb of ram.

Den_M

Thanks for the replies, might just go with the hard drive. Really wasn't planning on getting a new pc..:o

PogMoThoin

Worth a try....:D lol

gamer

you,ll get 512meg ram cheap on boards .ie,for sale, or 2 256 meg ddr simms.if you get 1 simm ,it goes in slot o, first slot.Take antistatic precautions,if you wanna upgrade mem yourself.Take out power plug for pc ,out of esb socket,too.

TerrorFirmer

Den_M wrote:

I really didn't expect to pay 533euro for 1gb of RAM for a machine that's almost 5 years old though. And there isnt much point putting in less and just using up the slots. Gah.
What about the hard drive I was talking about?

Thats defintely wrong, who an earth gave you that price? most online stores would have a gig of ram for about 90-120 depending on make.

also, theres no way a 2.8ghz machine is almost 5 years old...I was still using a 500mhz machine in 2001, and got an at the time top end 2.2ghz machine in late 2002

Den_M

Might have been bought in 2002 or early 03 but no later, I forget to be honest. Was top of the range at the time, ah the memories. Being able to run the latest games etc without so much as a hint of slowdown..

Check out the link PogMoThoin gave a few posts back, 533euro. I've seen many around this price mark unfortunatley.

gamer

komplett are selling 1 gig 105euro approx, make sure you get the right type of simm for your pc.

Den_M

Ok will do. Thanks for the help everyone that posted so far. There's only so much Quake 2 one can play before they yearn for something new..

edit : The link before was selling RAM described as ''1Gb upgrade kit (2x 512Mb) PC1066''
I know this is compatible with my machine, but does this mean the RAM I'm gonna but has to be PC1066? Looking in kompletts memory section, there doesnt seem to be any PC1066. It's all PC3200, 4200, 6400 etc..

PogMoThoin

HavoK wrote:

Thats defintely wrong, who an earth gave you that price? most online stores would have a gig of ram for about 90-120 depending on make.

Thats the price that comes up on Shop4memory.com to match the speed of what he already has. I challenge you to find some the same speed yourself Havok.
shop4memory usually have good prices.

Edit: this is the cheapest i can find rambus 512mb. you need 2.
http://www.memory-configurator.com/products/description/512Mb_Samsung_PC1066_Rambus_RDRAM_module/index.html

Or you could just go for slower memory.

TerrorFirmer

sorry i didn't realise it was rd ram, in this case you are as previously stated better off getting a new computer...

Den_M

Is there anything to be said for getting a new motherboard?
I dont know much about this kinda stuff, but if I did wouldn't I be able to use the newer, less expensive RAM around today? Wouldn't it have to be compatible with my current processor (p4) etc?

How bout this :
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=313204

PogMoThoin

Is it worth it with the prices that you can buy a full pc from Dell etc.
There are other things to consider also...is your psu good enough, will your copy of windows work on new mobo & will that mobo fit in your case etc.
What do you use your pc for?
What are the full specs of the pc you have now?
Remember what you have is 5 yo. Newer ppc's use Sata hd's and either DDR or DDR2 memory.
I dont think its worth it to be honest. If you keep an eye on the dell website, they do good deals every now and again and upgrade the memory to 1 or 2GB.

Den_M

I use my pc for music, apps like photoshop, gaming and internet.

Specs are p4 2.8GHz processor with 256MB of PC1066 RDRAM, a 60GB hard drive, a 128mb GeForce4 graphics card, a 17 inch flat screen monitor,DVD+RW drive.

I really dont want to get a new machine, would seem like such a waste.
I'm thinking another hard drive and more memory and I wouldn't be too bad.

Whats a psu - is that the power source?
My version of windows is just win xp home edition.

PogMoThoin

Psu= Power Supply Unit. Newer pc's use more power.
The copy of windows that you have is OEM, meaning it'll only work on that pc. If you change the mobo you'll end up having to buy another copy of windows.
You can pick up a base line model Dell pc for about E450ish without monitor and upgrade it 2 1GB ram. Keep an eye out for special deals and discounts. Cheaper than ram and hd's for what you got. Sata hd's are not that expensive 2 add again later if needed.
Hopefully sum1 else will back me up in this argument.

Den_M

What youre saying is making sense! Thanks for the help.
But you can probably detect an unwillingness in me to buy a new pc

If I got the new motherboard, a new 320gb hard drive and 1gb of whatever new RAM I would be able to use, it would set me back 300 quid approx, right? Still less than getting a new pc.
I wouldnt mind paying this really.

I didnt know that about XP OEM, surely a knocked off copy of windows wouldnt be hard to come by tho?

PogMoThoin

That mobo wont fit in your case. Your psu wont be putting out enough power also. Your gonna loose your WGA (windows Genuine Advantage) if you dont use a genuine copy of windows and will not be able to get security updates which are necessary.

I rest my case

Tobias Greeshman

PogMoThoin wrote:

Psu= Power Supply Unit. Newer pc's use more power.
The copy of windows that you have is OEM, meaning it'll only work on that pc. If you change the mobo you'll end up having to buy another copy of windows.
You can pick up a base line model Dell pc for about E450ish without monitor and upgrade it 2 1GB ram. Keep an eye out for special deals and discounts. Cheaper than ram and hd's for what you got. Sata hd's are not that expensive 2 add again later if needed.
Hopefully sum1 else will back me up in this argument.

Yeah head on over to Dells Outlet Store, where you can pick up factory PC (normally without a monitor). They're normally very reasonably priced, and you can pick up some great bargains in there.

OP you've never said how much you're willing to spend. €400-600 would get you a good PC. If you want a good gaming PC, then look into building your own one, but you'll be talking about spening around €1400.

Den_M

It's not looking good for me is it! Hmm..might just get another hard drive and give dell a ring, see if they'd get me more of my own RAM cheap or something.

PogMoThoin

Doubt it. They wanted nearly E600 off me for 2Gb of ram last yr. Bought it for E250ish myself. No harm in asking tho.

Den_M

PogMoThoin wrote:

Psu= Power Supply Unit. Newer pc's use more power.
The copy of windows that you have is OEM, meaning it'll only work on that pc. If you change the mobo you'll end up having to buy another copy of windows.

Are you sure about this? I was looking at an article on replacing the motherboard and the guy said you'd just need your original windows xp installation disc, which I have.

I like the idea of getting the new mobo, new case (one for 70euro with a psu on komplett) and then installing RAM and another hard drive. Wouldnt some to that much tbh

PogMoThoin

Certain. Your version of windows prob came with pc from Dell. OEM copies of windows are supposed to only be used on the 1 pc. If you change the mobo its considered a hardware change. You have 30 days to activate windows when you install it.

He's on about original retail windows which can be used on several pc's

Den_M

Ok, the company I work with buy Dell pc's in pretty large numbers so I'm gonna see if I can get either more RDRAM for cheap or a basic machine (3ghz, 1gb ram, 160gb hard drive) without a monitor, keyboard etc for cheap.
The guy who buys them for us here is a right terrier in a bargain apparrently so I should be ok!

Thanks for the help!!

PogMoThoin

Ask them if you can use their Vat no. They'll be able to claim back the Vat and save quids 4 ya.

Den_M

Nice one, I'll do that

gamer

Just make sure you get a dell with agp, or even better pci express graphics interface slot on the motherboard,theres 3ghz dells with only intel intregated graphics,not much use for games like doom 3,cod2.Theres no way of upgrading the grahics on these pcs.AGP is almost obsolete ,in regard to gaming pcs.

PogMoThoin

Don't think Dell are selling pc's with AGP anymore.......although it wouldn't suprise me :eek: