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[GodsTyro]

I have a P3 Compaq Presario 5716 which has been running necessary software (such as Dreamweaver and Photoshop) pretty well for several years now. Although at times when there are a few programs open at once or just occasionally it tends to slow down a bit. I don't want to spend the money to buy a new computer, but is a ram upgrade (currently have 96mb) enough to speed things up a bit? I intend to purchase this: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-146-510&depa=1 Any advice is appreciated.

 

[tedtropy]

With only 96MB of RAM, and especially while running apps like Photoshop, you DESPERATELY need to up the amount of RAM you have. 256MBs is pretty much the minimum these days, though I'd highly recommend 512MB. If you can afford it (and with RAM being as cheap as it is now) I'd go with 1GB just so you can be set for awhile, assuming your Pissario will accept that much. As long as you're not doing any heavy gaming, your P3 processor will probably be adequete for those apps, but upgrade your RAM as soon as possible.

 

[Slo]

A lot? No. Will it help? Yes. First off you need to check how many slots you have in your PC and how many are full. If you only have two slots, you'll have to take out one of your sticks of ram in order to put the new stick in. Second, find out how much each slot will support. I'm guessing each slot will hold a 256 mb stick. I'd get that or nothing at all.

$61- http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-136-009&depa=1

 

[GodsTyro]

Will the Presario support only certain types of ram? I was told by a friend that I need a specific type of ram or something.

 

[Diablos]

I looked up the maximum memory capacity for your board, and it's 384MB... you'd be better off buying the 128MB you posted, and a 256MB one too. Your board uses PC100 SDRAM; the one you have posted is PC133 SDRAM, but that's ok because it can run at PC100 speeds as well. Junk or sell the old 96MB DIMM if you buy the 256MB one as well; you won't be needing it. But in all honesty, you should just get a new PC! If I were you, I'd save my money until I had enough to get one of these:

http://www.ibuypower.com/ibp.net/store/configurator.aspx?mid=1
http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/advertised_dimen3?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

Actually I'd build my own, but I realize you don't know how to do that... feel free to ask if you need any suggestions about hardware (especially for the ibuypower one). Always go with at least 512MB of RAM. You are in desperate need of an upgrade though... so consider one of those, they're pretty cheap.

edit: Look in your manual and see what the maximum DIMM size is... it may be 128MB if this page is any indication:

http://www.memoryx.net/pc6-1427.html

If that's the case, buy two 128MB sticks of PC100 or PC133.

 

[GodsTyro]

Ah, I see. Yes, I thought I should probably wait and buy an entirely new PC instead of putting down over $100 on ram.

 

[Diablos]

Exactly. You're just wasting your money... what's really holding you back at this point is your CPU. You could put 512MB in that thing (assuming it supported that much) and it would still perform like crap with the latest and greatest applications.

 

[GodsTyro]

Alright, so the cheapest Dimension comes out to $500 (after discount)..which is not bad, since I can probably coax my parents into helping me purchase that since I'm getting into a computer-related program in college.

Would there be a specific configuration for the IBuyPower PC that would be around the same price range for better quality?