pumping a little life into my old pc...

[Miyagi-san]

I currently have this pc: http://www.amazon.com/Pavilion-Slimline-Desktop-Celeron-Processor/dp/B000F3L19Q

It's adequate and gets the job done. Runs CS3 fine enough for me...but I'd like to make it a little bit "snappier" so-to-speak.

I was considering building a new pc from scratch or going with an imac, but I also have plans on purchasing a bunch of gear soon (pixma pro9000, scanner, lenses, etc....)...the funds are there to do it all but I'm always looking to save a buck (or a thousand).

So I've decided to stick with my little hp and get a nice big 24" screen....

Now with that said I know I could (should) probably do a little upgrading to it. I've done one build a few years ago but I'm really lacking in knowledge when it comes to what will work with what....I kind of need it spelled out to me :)

It currently has 1GB of RAM via 2 sticks of 512MB....and can be expanded to 2X 1GB sticks which is easy enough.

I guess my big question is can the processor be switched out for a newer faster one? If so, do I have to stick with Intel Celeron? there are many and I just don't want to order the wrong one. Basically I just get that and some thermal paste and swap it out right? Am I making this harder than it is?

Any other suggestions on what I can do to give this old PC a refresh on the cheap?

Thanks for reading, i got a bit winded there sorry....I'm gulping down energy drinks on new years eve at work :p

-Andy

[Bill Roberts]

It's probably worth taking it up to the maximum RAM that the board will support, and I think you'll notice an improvement. But beyond that I just wouldn't bother. A current entry level machine will walk all over it Andy.

And to be honest for what you can buy them for right now it's hardly even worth building one. Whatever you get you're quite likely to be throwing it on to the nearest dump in three years or so because (as usual) it will be looking pretty slow by then.

Happy new year anyway...
cheers

[Miyagi-san]

and just to make sure before i order....this memory is the correct 'type' right? (so many letters and numbers....pc work is like algebra
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820144157

thanks again!

[Miyagi-san]

It's probably worth taking it up to the maximum RAM that the board will support, and I think you'll notice an improvement. But beyond that I just wouldn't bother. A current entry level machine will walk all over it Andy.

And to be honest for what you can buy them for right now it's hardly even worth building one. Whatever you get you're quite likely to be throwing it on to the nearest dump in three years or so because (as usual) it will be looking pretty slow by then.

Happy new year anyway...
cheers

yeah I am thinking the same thing....

thanks for the note, I'll max up the RAM and probably give it a good dusting/cleaning for good measure and swap out the "small" 250gb hdd for something larger, as it's been filled for a while now lol.

man, time sure flies. It seems like not so long ago I was messing around with the families macintosh plus (that my dad still has and uses haha)...and was amazed when my dad brought home a big ol' clunky loud external hard drive for it. th concept was amazing, and the capacity........100MB! :o

[Bill Roberts]

I just did a quick check on RAM for the PC and it's probably worth looking at

http://www.offtek.co.uk/product.php?manuname=HP/Compaq&maincat=1&subcat=2&model=Pavilion%20Slimline%20S7410n&source=GoogleFeed2&utm_source=GoogleFeed2&utm_medium=GoogleDF

seems fairly cheap but I don't know if the're any good to deal with.

I've virtually always built my PC's prior to the one I'm using now. The last one cost a fortune, was pretty much at the top end as far as performance went etc etc. The one I'm using now (Acer) cost half the price and is twice as fast. I'll admit I think my build was better and I picked every component, but the bottom line is that it's cheaper just to buy one and adequate for what I need.

cheers