Would it be worth $37.99 to near max out my computer's RAM, or am I just better off leaving it the way it is.

Question

I have a 1999 Model Compaq Presario 5360 With 192Mb of Ram. For $37.99 I could nearly max out the RAM at 320MB with the max being 384MB. Keep in mind that the speed of the RAM is 100MHz and the processor in the computer is only 450MHz. Also keep in mind that the peak amount of RAM used, including virtual memory is around 256MB. Would I notice much of a proformance increase?
My Question is Would it be worth $37.99 to upgrade from this:

AMD K6-2 450MHz Upgrade to this----> OC AMD K6-2 500MHz
192MB RAM PC100 Upgrade to this----> 320MB RAM PC100
20GB HD Stay the same----> 20GB HD
8 MB video RAM Stay the same----> 8 MB video RAM

Answer 1

Man,,,it's worth doing for the gain you'll get.

If you're using Windows 98 or ME it wont be a Huge gain,,,
If it's Windows XP you need all you can get

You can get a 128MB of PC-100 RAM,,good stuff compatible with your Compac on EBAY for $10~15.
I know EBAY has it's Dark Side,,,lol---I've faced it myself a few times.

But most Ebayers are OK,,and there's Lots of reputable,Hi-Rated sellers of RAM.

Crazy to just "throw away" the extra $20,,,(Though I do it myself)
But ESPECIALLY if You Have near $40 to spend,,and are willing to spend that much to get an improvement in your PC.

Reason,,,You COULD spend the $20 you probly can Save on a Cheapie Old-School Video Card which would be a Huge Boost to THAT PC

No Sales Pitch,,,just saying.

When working with old Stuff,,Ya gotta REALLY try to keep Upgrade Expenses to a Minimum,,,and do your best to get the Most for your $$ that You Do wanna spend


Look at this...just for example---and this is typical of what's available

NEW Kingston Ram--a Popular NameBrand
$15.50 Shipped

"PRODUCT NAME 128MB 100MHZ MODULE FOR COMPAQ DESKPRO EN 6350/6.4/ 6350/4.3 or any other computer using PC100 Memory "

http://cgi.ebay.com/Kingston-Compaq-128MB-PC100-KTC6611-128-SD-RAM_W0QQitemZ250070426849QQihZ015QQcategoryZ14916QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


Or $22 for 2 x128MB=256mb,,,,it's used,,oh well:)
These are reputable,established Ebayers.

http://cgi.ebay.com/256MB-PC100-SDRAM-DIMM-Memory-2-128-MB-168-pin-M128-5-2_W0QQitemZ120072000534QQihZ002QQcategoryZ14917QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Again,,,just for example

Ok,,the Above Example "saves you" about $22?

Look at this Vid Card,,,Radeon 7500....
For Your Compaq,,that's a KILLER CARD

Separate Card Frees up RAM,,,AND the CPU,,,,besides cranking up Vid Performance.
So its like a "multi boost"
$24,,,and $7~8 Shipping...$32

Good RAM and a VERY Strong Vid Card,,
Both for $10 more than Only the RAM in your question.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ATI-ATI-Radeon-7500-PCI-32MB-DDR-TV-Out-DVI-Video-Card_W0QQitemZ170069854681QQihZ007QQcategoryZ40158QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem



Those were both found in 1 minute search,,Not even a search,,just a "Look See"

If you WANT to spend $40~50,,,,you can get a LOT more for your money than "Just Ram"


Here's Another Very Good Card $20 Shipped Total

If You aren't using Windows XP,,,
still W-98 or ME,,,
I'd do the Vid Card before I'd do the RAM.

'Cuz,,192mb is Not THAT far from the Optimum that 98 can effectively handle.
(But WAY short for XP)

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-ATI-7000-32MB-PCI-VGA-VIDEO-CARD-10709_W0QQitemZ200068210162QQihZ010QQcategoryZ40158QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem



Its OK to be Crazy and blow a few buck$$ on an old PC,,,,,
But dont be Foolish and spend Tooo Much on it

Good Luck with it!

Answer 2

Just buy a refurbished system.

http://www-132.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?storeId=1&catalogId=-840&langId=-1&categoryId=2576395

Between the processor and bus speed the computer wuld seem a little faster. $37.99 for an upgrade is not a lot to fork over.

Keep in mind the technology you are using is so old and out dated that spending the money on even a refurbished system would better benefit you.

Answer 3

Assuming you don't plan on buying a newer model anytime soon, sure, go ahead and get the additonal RAM. Based on what you have now, it should speed things up quite a bit. Don't sink too much more money into it though, as it's pretty much obsolete at this point.

Answer 4

Unless, you plan on buying a new computer in the next six months, I would go for the extra ram. It will certainly increase your speed some and help with running other programs.

Answer 5

It would help some since you wouldn't have to use virtual memory anymore, but with new Dells going for $300. it might be a good idea to put that money toward replacing the old dinosaur.

Answer 6

As a computing device technician, i can allow you to recognize very basically that leaving your computing device ON is actual information on a thanks to advance your computing device's existence believe it or not. Leaving it on very much decreases the prospect of a hardchronic failure because once you close up your computing device off, you're causing ALOT of placed on and tear and tear on your hardchronic platters. preventing them and restarting them is the equivalent of slamming on your brakes to give up your vehicle as a change of gradually slowing down. in case you slam on your brakes for all time, you'll of route bypass through more desirable brakes than standard. to manage to respond to your question leave it on...you do not turn off your refrigerator, so why turn off your computing device?

Answer 7

Any upgrade helps but I think it is time for another computer. You can get cheap used computers on ebay for $100-$150 that blow your computer away!!

Answer 8

save your money. start shopping for a new motherboard/CPU combo. then you can put your old stuff into the new PC then slowly upgrade all of the components as your budget allows...

Answer 9

Do it! It will seem twice as fast.