What Computer To Purchase?

[marquess]

Here are the specifications of my current computer: Intel ®,

Celeron ®, CPU 1.70Ghz, 352 MB Ram. Is it worth getting this computer rebuilt?

I really use the computer for veiwing DVD's and listening to music. At present I am running out of hard drive space and the whole computer is just really a bit too slow.

I should like at least 150 GB of hardrive space, and at least 1GB of Ram, a system that works well in the heat. What should I do, get a new one built for me, and if so where, and what recommendations for optimum performance and how much? Or should I attempt to get my current computer upgraded? Thanks in advance guys!

[JackA]

My first suggestion would be to update your Memory and install a new hard drive, both which can later be ported to a new system (if needed).

The cause for the lag you're experiencing is probably that your hard disk is almost full and is highly fragmented.

Once you get the new memory and hard drive installed, reinstall windows and move your old drive to a backup in a mobile rack.

I think that should take care of your current needs.

---I Presume that you have a DDR capable mainboard, because SDRAM is really hard to get and will be a dead-end for you (no new system use this kind of memory)

RAM: Buy 2xKingston 512Mb PC3200 DDR Sticks CAS 2.5 (Perfect for moving to system recommended below).

OR If the system still don't behave then:

I would suggest the following:

Get a new casing, including a powersupply (min. 400w), but more importantly one that can supply at least 18A on the +12V rail.

- Mobo: Either ASRock Dual Sata II (Can accomodate both AGP and PCI-E) natively.

- CPU: AMD Athlon64 3000+ Running extremely cool and still plenty fast for what you're doing.

- RAM: Get a pair of 512Mb sticks PC3200 DDR and make sure that they are CAS 2.5 (which you already invested in, above).

Hard Drive: 250Gb Western Digital BB (which is VERY cheap right now with 3 years warranty).

- Graphics: If you already have a AGP graphics adapter - use that one in this setup, else go for either ATi X700 or nVIDIA 6600 (not the GT).

And then fill use your old floppy drive + new memory + hard drive + DVD + CD etc.

[Highwayman]

A simple upgrade would be to increase the RAM by 512MB if you have the space to do so (what OS are you using btw?), that will cost about 2000 depending on what type of RAM you have in there at the moment. A new 160GB 7200 RPM HD will cost about 3400 baht. Add in a couple of quiet case fans for 700 baht and some rounded cables to assist airflow for another 500 baht. If you need to upgrade further, like a new CPU, then you are better off with a whole new system.

If it's running slow have you cleaned up spyware, ran an anti-virus check, defragged and cleaned out temp files recently?

If you really want a new computer then what is your budget? Tell us that otherwise it's pointless everyone giving you suggestions that could be way more than you want to spend. Take a look at the thread a week back where George asked a similar question and see some of the answers given there.

As a general guide 30-40,000 will get you a rather nice Intel based Pentium 4 system. AMD is cheaper, runs cooler and is better for many tasks but if you're more concerned with media tasks than gaming, stick to Intel.

[marquess]

My current computer is now three years old! I have already defragmented the drive. At the moment I am using Window XP 2002 (Professional). A year and half ago I did upgrade the Ram by 128mb Kingston 266 DDR. Are they still doing 266 these days and if so would a 512 be a good working addition? As to the budget, I am quite happy to spend 10k or so on an upgrade of some kind

[Crushdepth]

I think a 1.7 processor is still reasonably good. Suggest just upgrading the memory and buying another large hard drive - both are fairly cheap.

[marquess]

Another couple of questions for you wise and learned minds: First will my existing Kingston DDR 128 66 work with a 512 400, or will I have to replace the existing Ram altogether? Is it possible to purchase a DVD player/burner for the computer that will be region free, as I am currently having to use an awkward programe to make my current player region free? Once again thanks in advance!

[The Coder]

This base machine seems fine for what you want to use it for. Regardless of what hard drive capacity you choose, make sure it is minimum 7200RPM, minimum 16MB buffer. With a fast drive and a gig of RAM you should notice a very nice speedup. tomshardware.com has done thermal testing of hard drives if you want to get an idea of the ones that run the coolest.

[Tywais]

Another couple of questions for you wise and learned minds: First will my existing  Kingston DDR 128 66 work with a 512 400, or will I have to replace the existing Ram altogether? Is it possible to purchase  a DVD player/burner for the computer that will be region free, as I am currently having to use an awkward programe to make my current player region free? Once again thanks in advance!

Not sure what "awkward program" you are using. I use "DVD Region-Free" and it is transparent to me. Once it is set to recognize what ever DVD programs you are using, it launches and sits in the background automatically.

As for RAM speed, depends on what your FSB speed on your mainboard allows. If it allows 400 or 512 certainly better off replacing the DDR 128.

As other posters mentioned the disk drive speed/performance can do a lot. Difference between the old 5400rpm and the 7200rpm (large buffer >= 8MB) drives is significant. Another item, especially playing DVD's full screen, is a good video card, ones like JackA recommended can make a big difference.

Edited December 27, 2005 by tywais

[marquess]

Another couple of questions for you wise and learned minds: First will my existing  Kingston DDR 128 66 work with a 512 400, or will I have to replace the existing Ram altogether? Is it possible to purchase  a DVD player/burner for the computer that will be region free, as I am currently having to use an awkward programe to make my current player region free? Once again thanks in advance!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not sure what "awkward program" you are using. I use "DVD Region-Free" and it is transparent to me. Once it is set to recognize what ever DVD programs you are using, it launches and sits in the background automatically.

As for RAM speed, depends on what your FSB speed on your mainboard allows. If it allows 400 or 512 certainly better off replacing the DDR 128.

As other posters mentioned the disk drive speed/performance can do a lot. Difference between the old 5400rpm and the 7200rpm (large buffer >= 8MB) drives is significant. Another item, especially playing DVD's full screen, is a good video card, ones like JackA recommended can make a big difference.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What type of grapics card would you recommend for veiwing DVDs full screen? My main board is :My main board is P4VMM2.

[Highwayman]

Any current graphics card will let you view DVDs full screen on your computer, or do you mean view it on your tv? This computer l'm using now has an old Duron 900 with a 4(?) year old 64MB card which l saw second hand the other day for only 300 baht but l can watch DVDs full screen (1024x768) using Nero and Windows Media Player. If you need a new card because the onboard Via chip is not up to the task then any current budget one will be okay for your system. Just be careful not to spend too much on an upgrade as you're already using an obsolete ECS 478 motherboard.

Your motherboard is similar to my Jetaway in that it has only two DDR RAM slots, so keep the fastest stick of RAM because whatever speed the new RAM you buy, it will only be be fast as the RAM you already have. Check the motherboard manual to see what is the fastest RAM it can handle before you buy some more. More and more motherboards are using only DDR2 so the next time you want an upgrade and you want the latest board your current RAM will probably be useless.

[Tywais]

What type of grapics card would you recommend for veiwing DVDs full screen? My main board is :My main board is P4VMM2.

If cost is an issue I suggest doing an incremental upgrade. Start with the memory, then the disk drive, then the video card and check at each upgrade step when DVDs can play full screen smoothly and without jerkiness. In other words the first two will probably get you the most in performance and if the onboard video is not up to the task, add a video card.

I just built a media center PC and use an ATI Radeon 9550 128MB video card for about 2000 Baht and has composite video out. An ASUS 9520 64MB for 1700Baht would be OK too (have that chip set on my main computer which has DVI/VGA and TV out).

[JackA]

I would suggest that you get a Geforce 6200 or 6600 AGP, the tv-out (composite, S-Video and Component ) - both cards are relatively cheap nowadays and very available - just make sure that you get the "breakout box with Component.

And believe me - it makes a world of difference, using component, compared to either composite / s-video.

These cards now fully support "Pure Video" - read about it here:

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2305

These functions are hardware implemented for improving the picture quality, playback and works on all outputs (S-VGA, DVI and TV Out).

Best of luck.

[marquess]

Any current graphics card will let you view DVDs full screen on your computer, or do you mean view it on your tv? This computer l'm using now has an old Duron 900 with a 4(?) year old 64MB card which l saw second hand the other day for only 300 baht but l can watch DVDs full screen (1024x768) using Nero and Windows Media Player. If you need a new card because the onboard Via chip is not up to the task then any current budget one will be okay for your system. Just be careful not to spend too much on an upgrade as you're already using an obsolete ECS 478 motherboard.

Your motherboard is similar to my Jetaway in that it has only two DDR RAM slots, so keep the fastest stick of RAM because whatever speed the new RAM you buy, it will only be be fast as the RAM you already have. Check the motherboard manual to see what is the fastest RAM it can handle before you buy some more. More and more motherboards are using only DDR2 so the next time you want an upgrade and you want the latest board your current RAM will probably be useless.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well according to a previous post that I did about 19 months ago (http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=8632&st=15), my Mother board is capable of taking two sticks of up to 1gb per slot. I think that I might be better off geting rid of the 128 266 and the 256 266 and just replacing them with two 512's ? Thus enabling me to have 1GB! Witht the installation of a new drive, would it then be that I would have four drives? C & D on the old hardrive and two more on the new one? Would it be possible to run the old one as a slave drive?

[JackA]

The RAM you're suggesting is okay, as long as you realize and agree to:

- The memory you're buying might not be usable in a new system.

(All new Intel systems feature DDR2, but AMD is still running DDR).

About the hard drive:

- Windows XP will allow you to occupy the driveletters in the range: C to Z (physical drives or partitions) so the limit more likely will be with your motherboard controller, which in most cases means 4 devices (hard drives, dvd, cdrom etc.).

So yes you would be fine to run your old drive as slave to the new one.

Edited December 28, 2005 by JackA