Advice with reviving old PC

[Miss Red]

Im sure someone in here can help.

I have a desktop pc.....shes ancient lol - brought in 2001 for a whopping £799. Compared to todays spec shes pretty poor. 60gb hd, 512 ram, single processor - you get the gist.

My question is.....would i be able to upgrade this pc mainly for a faster processor & more memory?
or
would i have to purchase a new one?

It seems a shame because other than not coping with todays progs and being a bit (well a lot lol), slow, its a pretty good pc - and the bit thats the best, it runs on XP.
Its been very well used and looked after in its 10 yrs.

So if anyone could advise me pls....oh i would need someone to do the upgrade for me too

Thank you




Admin edit: Moved thread to correct forum.

 

[gdavies]

yes it can be upgraded dependn on the socket type or the processor you may be able to slot in a new prcoessor failing that a mother board with chipset and memeory would upgrade it a treat and you would feel like you have a new computer

 

[shoes]

and the bit thats the best, it runs on XP.

I've converted a fair few to the ways of Windows 7 - if you're going to be getting new hardware it would be ludicrous to not compliment it with the latest software

 

[My Name is URL]

Looking at the spec of the current machine, my suggestion is that it is possible to upgrade, but I wouldn't bother...

You would basically want a new processor (which would probably need a new motherboard) new HDD, new RAM.... once you do all that you may need a new PSU so basically all you would keep is the case...... which are pennies anyway.

For the type of money you would be talking above, I would be tempted to get a netbook for <£200... can then easily hook up to monitor / keyboard / mouse if you want to use it as a desktop but then also use on the move / on your lap in front of the TV / in bed..... may need a USB CD drive to go with it but if you are happy with a PC that age, i'm guessing you only surf the net from it?

If the netbook option was a no go then even new laptops / desktops are cheap, maybe a bit more than the cost of parts listed above but new = 12m warranty... plus if you have to pay someone to install all the parts listed for you, thats going to add ££ to it....

Just not sensible IMHO.

EDIT

Oh and if you have XP on your current machine then you can transfer that licence over to any new machine you get if it doesn't come with XP... having said that, Win 7 does look very good.

 

[wmrcomputers]

Yeah like others have said, it's not really viable. It would definitely require motherboard, processor, RA< and hard drive at minimum.

You could be looking at around £140 for such an upgrade, whereas I could build a new tower as follows...

Socket AM3 motherboard
Dual Core AM3 processor @ 2x 3GHz
4Gb DDR3 memory
DVD writer
500Gb hard drive
Your choice of Windows XP / Vista or 7

Total cost all inclusive of £220.

Slim it down to a fast single core processor, 2gb ram and a 320Gb hard drive (still probably a MORE than adequate enough system for you) for around £190.

 

[wmrcomputers]

Forgot to say, to add to what Shoes has mentioned, Windows 7 would really be the way to go. It uses memory far more efficiently than windows XP ever did, so you would actually get BETTER performance. It's also got much nicer graphics, softer (transparent) window edges etc. and is far easier on the eye - especially if you spend a long time at your PC

 

[db]

as others have said, by the time you've faffed about upgrading this 'n' that you might as well just buy a new 'un.. PCs cost bugger all these days.. check out HUKD for some good deals:

http://www.hotukdeals.com/computers/deals/hot

i would defo recommend keeping an eye on dell outlet, as they have some ridiculous offers pop up quite often.. this site is brilliant for blagging the best dell offers:

http://www.dmxdimension.com

if it's a desktop you're after, you'll be able to get some pretty state of the art shiz for less than 400 notes.. or if you're not fussed about cutting edge stuff, there are perfectly decent office machines for just over £200!

 

[tek-monkey]

What do you use the PC for? Stone computers sell refurbs for £100 upwards, they are the ones we replace in the college I suspect.

 

[United57]

Like everyone has said the price of tin is relatively cheap. 9 years is a longtime in terms of computing. Even a lot of charities will not touch old computers. You have a choice £ 220 is a competitive price from somebody that can give you the local support that you may need. I would add a new monitor. Also software costs but there are free alternatives.

 

[Miss Red]

For the type of money you would be talking above, I would be tempted to get a netbook for <£200... can then easily hook up to monitor / keyboard / mouse if you want to use it as a desktop but then also use on the move / on your lap in front of the TV / in bed..... may need a USB CD drive to go with it but if you are happy with a PC that age, i'm guessing you only surf the net from it?

I use the desktop for hobby...i have graphics progs, web progs and poser software......I think thats why its getting slow lol.

I do have a laptop running windows 7 (and just brought new mobile phone running windows 7 too)...it seems ok, so far. I had a laptop running vista...i think that scarred me for life lol.

Monitor is ok - its not a big boffer, its a lcd type, so it would just be the tower i be looking for.
Seems better value to buy new for extra £80 odd pound.

Most important is it has dual processor.......like the one wmrcomputers spec'd out....
I will PM you wrmcomputers if thats ok as i have a daughter who is looking for a price for gaming pc for my grandson....shes just had quote from pc world, i will pass your website onto her

 

[wmrcomputers]

Not a problem. Cheers

 

[Miss Red]

Geeze your fast lol

 

[Mr J C]

For the type of money you would be talking above, I would be tempted to get a netbook for <£200... can then easily hook up to monitor / keyboard / mouse if you want to use it as a desktop but then also use on the move / on your lap in front of the TV / in bed..... may need a USB CD drive to go with it but if you are happy with a PC that age, i'm guessing you only surf the net from it?

I use the desktop for hobby...i have graphics progs, web progs and poser software......I think thats why its getting slow lol.

I do have a laptop running windows 7 (and just brought new mobile phone running windows 7 too)...it seems ok, so far. I had a laptop running vista...i think that scarred me for life lol.

Monitor is ok - its not a big boffer, its a lcd type, so it would just be the tower i be looking for.
Seems better value to buy new for extra £80 odd pound.

Most important is it has dual processor.......like the one wmrcomputers spec'd out....
I will PM you wrmcomputers if thats ok as i have a daughter who is looking for a price for gaming pc for my grandson....shes just had quote from pc world, i will pass your website onto her

Miss Red Do not under any circumstances EVER touch pc world with a barge pole !! Speaking from experience and not just cos I think wmr is a good bloke

 

[Jade-clothing]

For the type of money you would be talking above, I would be tempted to get a netbook for <£200... can then easily hook up to monitor / keyboard / mouse if you want to use it as a desktop but then also use on the move / on your lap in front of the TV / in bed..... may need a USB CD drive to go with it but if you are happy with a PC that age, i'm guessing you only surf the net from it?

I use the desktop for hobby...i have graphics progs, web progs and poser software......I think thats why its getting slow lol.

I do have a laptop running windows 7 (and just brought new mobile phone running windows 7 too)...it seems ok, so far. I had a laptop running vista...i think that scarred me for life lol.

Monitor is ok - its not a big boffer, its a lcd type, so it would just be the tower i be looking for.
Seems better value to buy new for extra £80 odd pound.

Most important is it has dual processor.......like the one wmrcomputers spec'd out....
I will PM you wrmcomputers if thats ok as i have a daughter who is looking for a price for gaming pc for my grandson....shes just had quote from pc world, i will pass your website onto her

Miss Red Do not under any circumstances EVER touch pc world with a barge pole !! Speaking from experience and not just cos I think wmr is a good bloke

Oh oops knew that would happen at some point, that last comment was supposed to be from Mrs JC not Mr. JC - we take it in turns to log on at work and I thought it was me logged on

 

[Gramaisc]

I bet you can forge his signature on cheques, as well....

 

[GLHF]

I will echo what everyone else has said here. You would be better off spending a little more for a new system than upgrading your old parts - They would be hard to find and you will notice very little increase in performance.

As wmrcomputers said,

something like an Athlon II x2, 4gb ddr3, 500gb hard drive and windows 7 premium should be plenty for your needs.

 

[Jade-clothing]

I bet you can forge his signature on cheques, as well....

We dont have a cheque book - Mr JC told me it was because you cant get one with our account - hmm - I wonder if that's actually true?

 

[wmrcomputers]

I think cheques are almost redundant these days anyway aren't they? My bank doesn't issue new ones now unless you specifically say you want them.

 

[Gramaisc]

I bet you can forge his signature on cheques, as well....

We dont have a cheque book - Mr JC told me it was because you cant get one with our account - hmm - I wonder if that's actually true?

He's playing the game well, so far.....

 

[wmrcomputers]

Hmm. I wish I'd never introduced my better half to computers or the internet in the first place.

She actually gets birthday and christmas presents from Gala...... I wonder why!????