I have a 40 GB hard drive, 256 MB RAM and a 32 MB built-in video card. My PC runs very slowly. Which one should I upgrade first? Should I buy a specific type or brand of RAM to match the existing one on my PC?
2006-11-15 03:41:48 · 15 answers · asked by Tristan C 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Other - Computers
THE FIRST THING you should buy is RAM because you only have 256...
Windows XP alone requires a minimum of 256 RAM to run. These days they are making computers with nothing less than 1GIG of RAM which is 1,024 RAM Versus your 256...
What you need to do, is tell me your computer BRAND and MODEL... For example...
Dell, Dimension 2600... Which is usually found somewhere on your pc, unless its custom built...
If you tell me your make and model, I can tell you what you have and what can be upgraded on it, and where you can get it cheapest... Email me if you like or just EDIT your question with the info I just requested.
Mickey below is wrong, not having a video card can slow your PC down, also depending on what type of video card you have CAN slow your PC down or not...
Some video cards are integrated, and they use your actual RAM for the video memory, which TAKES AWAY from the RAM you need to run your programs, THUS making it slower...
2006-11-15 03:43:48 · answer #1 · answered by Danlow 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Neither. Try this first.
Start >Run > type msconfig
Go to the startup tab. Deselecct everything. Restart your system.
A window will pop up when you log back in. Check the box that shows "don't show again" (this window is telling you that you changed your settings) and hit ok.
Stop all messenger programs from starting on start up by looking in their options (if you use them).
If this doesn't work try a defrag (open my computer right click on the c drive go to properties, click the tools tab hit defregment) and a disk clean up (open my computer right click on the c drive go to properties click disk cleanup). Try scanning for spyware using adaware and spybot (get them from downlad.com for free, this site is safe). Also scan for viruses.
This shoudl speed your system up. If you've already done this you want to upgrade your RAM not your video. Video has no association with how fast or slow your system runs.
2006-11-15 03:47:16 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Forget it. Seriously, these days, hardware can be found so reasonably priced, you can build your own. I have built several for myself and for friends. It really isn't a big mystery. Just do some research beforehand. Start with a matched mainboard and processor, then go from there.
Given the age of your PC, it would be a lot like buying gold plated windshield wipers for a 62 VW Beetle with 4 flat tires and a busted windshield....
And, if you don't feel comfortable building your own, try here for great deals on refurbished PCs.
www.tigerdirect.com
2006-11-15 03:47:53 · answer #3 · answered by Rich B 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you have to buy the same kind of ram that u have in ur computer. take off ur computer side door and take ur ram out. ur ram looks like a long skinny slab stiking out. you need to pull that out and look at what it says. u need the same kind of that. yes u should upgrade ur ram first but you really need to upgrade ur graphics card to. i advise a geforce card by nvidia. go to www.nvidia.com for the best graphics cards. how much ram do u want. answer your own question with how much ram u want and ill answer back
2006-11-15 03:47:29 · answer #4 · answered by Unexistingpromise 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Upgrade the RAM first. You will have to buy the RAM that your motherboard's manual indicates it will be compatible with. The brand of RAM usually doesn't matter too much.
2006-11-15 03:44:25 · answer #5 · answered by Conscious-X 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
regardless of your OS, just wait until January 30th 2007. Buy a PC with Windows Vista on it.
The specs of your PC are so outdated, a new PC is your best option.
2006-11-15 03:50:42 · answer #6 · answered by mp3tocd_man 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Buy more RAM to get to 512 or 1024 MB. No specific brand just DDR1 if you have DDR1 or DDR2 if you have DDR2.
2006-11-15 03:43:07 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most definitely RAM. My neighbor has 256M. I have 1024M. You wouldn't believe the difference. Sometimes hers is painfully slow, and you can't get much else done when an anti-virus scan is going on...
2006-11-15 03:49:43 · answer #8 · answered by fjpoblam 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
go to the yahoo home page and under the feature section there is an article on speeding up your older computer.
2006-11-15 03:45:51 · answer #9 · answered by spyder44052 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
your video card doesnt affect the speed of your computer. you need to upgrade the ram, and/or processor
2006-11-15 03:43:53 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋