I want to speed up my computer. What's the best, fastest, and easiest way?

Question

I have a Sony Vaio desktop from 2001-ish (don't know exact date or model) and it's slow. I would like to make it faster but I don't know what to do first. I have Windows 2000, Pentium 3, and 1000mHz. I hear that new RAM might have to be installed and maybe a graphics card for games. If I buy a minimum graphics card and RAM, will this increase my computer's speed and efficiency? Also, if I need to have someone install it, does Geek Squad/Fry's/MicroCenter do a good job with this?

Answer 1

it seems that a lot of people would have you buying a new machine. but you didn't mention what you use it for. you kind of hinted at games, and games are a resource hog

okay, under win2k (not a great gaming platform) there are many things that you should do prior to buying new parts. ::
clean out out temp files. Clean Up by stevengould is quick and easy and painless. and does a lot

defrag your system drive

dump the unneeded back ground programs that auto start in both your system tray (background) and IE browser "helpers", browser helper retaliator 4.5 is good for this and also easy to use.

install and use a monitoring program, (i like cool beans system info it is small and easy to use. it will monitor CPU usage, Physical memory usage and swap file use. also can monitor net use up and down.) this will give you a good idea as to how much of your current resources are in use under a variety of different applications so you can make an informed choice as to where to spend your hard earned dollars.

your assumtion may be correct that you may need the additional memory and maybe a new graphics card.

FOR MEMORY: to upgrade you need to find out: memory type (speed) and the max amount per slot and combined. this is an easy install, and is covered in most computer manuals (see pcmech link below)

FOR GRAPHICS CARD: you need to know if you have an AGP slot and if it is a 1X 2X 4X 8X. some support a range of cards, then find and buy a card that is usable in that slot, (see pcmech article/1)

you don't always need new. new also comes with other issues and problems, not to mention the cost.

good luck, happy upgrading.

Answer 2

Wow, some scary bad answers.

P3...junk it. You're going to run into more and more trouble running programs efficiently as they get more intensive, in terms of graphics and programming. Upgrading the RAM and video card will only take you so far.

Stay away from Celeron processors. Bad, bad, bad to even consider one.

Adding a new hard drive will not necessarily make your computer run faster. You'll still have the bottleneck of an older processor, old chipset, old RAM, etc.

Buy a new desktop. With atleast 512 MB of RAM, preferably a newer Intel Core 2 Duo or an AMD 64. Dedicated video card would be recommended if you plan on planning games, but for general use, integrated video solutions are fine. (Besides, this is something that can always be added in at a later date)

Check out Dell's Dimension line of desktops. They frequently run very, very good deals and a very decent system can usually be found there for well under $1000.

Answer 3

properly one ingredient to look ahead to with pc speed is what number courses you've operating at one time. This incorporates any undercover agent ware it is on your equipment as well. each thing that you've operating on your equipment is loaded into the ram. So the more desirable courses you've operating decreases the quantity of obtainable ram the equipment has to finish any applications. This brings me to the subsequent suggestion it is increasing the memory on your equipment. The more desirable memory you've may be functional advance the speed extremely. you could also improve your processor as long as you stay in the bounds of your motherboard which incorporates sixty 4 bit or 32 bit, same FSB speed and so on... actually you purchase a similar processor yet a swifter inner clock speed. for the reason that your pc became already performing fantastic yet slowed down then your significant concern is maximum likely undercover agent ware or another application it is operating that became no longer peviously. you want to experiment for viruses, and undercover agent ware.

Answer 4

I am not sure what your motherboard will support. consult the vio web site.
If I am right however. your motherboard does not support anything that will make it preform even up to minimal standard today.

just for kicks say your mother board supports this.

Look for a celoron d at 3 ghz. or higher. those are going cheap and preform beautifully.
If it will support something on the higher end maybe Pentium 4 . you might be pushing it with Pentium 4 w/ hyper threading.

Let's see ram.... I don't think it supports duel memory, but if it does start there. Check for compatibility.

Grafics card, go for 256 radeon or gforce. (dules mentioned in an answer before mine require two pci express 16 slots. The latest and fastest adapters and are replaceing AGP slots. I doubt your motherboard has them.
.

You know what.... just take your vio to best buy. Oh, and bring money.

Answer 5

i had this same problem and is was bought in the same year i got it runing at full speed. heres now (windows xp)
1. Scan for viruses, spyware and malware
2. perform a disk defragmentation
3. my computer>right click properties>click the advance tab> under performance click setting> select bestformance

For video card if you don't have a lot of money get a 128 mb one 1 gb ram is my choice
if you have $$$ get a 512mb and having 2gb ram is always good

Answer 6

Yeah if you buy a minimum graphics card and ram it will increase good. But if you want to speed up your computer quickly without no hassle, simply go to the start menu on the bottom left of your screen and click on all programs. Click on accessories, then system tools, then disk defragment. A window will pop up. Then click on defragment. It will boost up your computer speed at its top.

Answer 7

Working with a slow computer can be time consuming as programs/ applications take a long time to start. This problem is more pronounced in computers which have been used for 6 or more months. More information at http://fixit.in/slowcomputer.html

Answer 8

what type of processor so you have?

the new ones that have come out since 2001 are dually's - part of the process does the basics while the second plays your games

My game graphics card is a 128 meg PRO

and I have 2 gig of RAM

may be more economical just to get a new computer

wait till after Christmas - for the New Years Sales?!

best of luck!

Answer 9

With all due respect there are limits with a P3 processor.

Yes, you can speed it up (relative to its present performance), however, it will never be anywhere near as fast as even an average 3yr old P4.

I suggest selling while it still has value & getting a new one. I think it is a waste of money if you invest in this unit. Trust me ...if you do you will wish you hadn't soon afterwards ... it's just not worth it.

I know this is not what you want to hear, however, it is the best advice you will get.


regards,
Philip T

Answer 10

get a new pc, theres a good chance that your pc is cluttered with alot of unnecesary files cookies and other stuff that just boggs down your pc. new ram may help speed up your pc but so would a larger hard drive. some things you might be able to try... registry cleaner, disk cleaner, defragmenter, go into your internet options and delete old files, history, and if you don't have dial-up, delete cookies. if you update your graphics card you may have to update a couple of other components, your best bet is to talk to someone at best buy or circuit city.