Upgrade the current computer, or buy a new one?
 

I bought my computer a couple of years ago, and was going for inexpensive, basic stuff to play poker on. Now the computer is running a little slow, I'm guessing partially because I'm multi-tasking on it so I'm trying to see if I need to upgrade the computer, or just get a new one. Now that I've made some money with poker, it might be time to spend it.

Current setup

Dell Dimension 2400 running Windows XP 2002
Celeron Processor 2.4 GHz
256MB RAM
74GB Hard Drive
1 monitor. (CRT)

I'm thinking at the minimum to get some more RAM, but a new monitor would be nice (reading about your 2001FPs). But if I start doing that, should I just get a new computer?

-Jedi

Re: Upgrade the current computer, or buy a new one?
 

Just get more RAM. a 2400 is fine for anything except gaming (and sometimes even that).

Re: Upgrade the current computer, or buy a new one?
 

you probably know this, but the monitor purchase is a separate decision than the computer purchase.

I would probably add more ram, it's a cheap and easy upgrade.

Re: Upgrade the current computer, or buy a new one?
 

I had a very similar PC to you (except I had 512MB RAM, a pentium and a Dell 2001FPS). I added 1GB of RAM and it improved the performance greatly.

Re: Upgrade the current computer, or buy a new one?
 

Upgrading to 1GB of Ram will give you a huge boost. The Celeron 2.4 is kind of low-end but should do.

I don't see any reason to buy a whole new system if your not into gaming, since your paying quite a bit extra for a new mobo, video card, etc when you don't really need it to play poker.

Re: Upgrade the current computer, or buy a new one?
 

that cpu is T R A S H. more ram will help. is you hard drive naturally 74gb or 80gb? it would be pretty odd to have a raptor in that rig.

the answer is "it depends on how much money you have", but if $400 or whatever doesn't bug you just get a cheap p4 around 3ghz and have 1gb of ram too. see techbargains.com.

Re: Upgrade the current computer, or buy a new one?
 

You may or may not be able to upgrade the CPU. Dell won't help you and they do not recommend that you do it. If you do change it, you are very likely to have overheating problems and/or power supply problems.

The budget Dell systems are intentionally designed to not be upgraded. Michael Dell is of the opinion that anyone who would want to take the cover off his computer and change something inside is a member of some sort of lunatic fringe. He seems to have softened somewhat lately by making RAM upgrades available.

That said, 256MB of RAM is simply not enough to run Windows XP. XP itself may be using over 200MB. Adding RAM will make a huge difference on your machine, but it will still be a low-end computer. It is the only upgrade even worth considering.

Re: Upgrade the current computer, or buy a new one?
 

relatively cheap 1 gig ram upgrade - note shipping is included

zip zoom fly site

Re: Upgrade the current computer, or buy a new one?
 

you said multitasking.. what are you running in the background?

best bang for the buck upgrade is to buy another 256megs ram.

for just playing poker, my p3-500mhz laptop w/384megs ram, and external monitor 4 tables great.

my sempron 2500 w/512megs ram is slow as a dog w/pokertracker in the background and 6 tabling.

you can also set the cpu priorities on your programs in WinXP. see if that helps.

Re: Upgrade the current computer, or buy a new one?
 

I'm running stuff like Microsoft Word and Excel, plus a movie on occasion.

Re: Upgrade the current computer, or buy a new one?
 

If it is more sluggish than normal you might check it for spyware using adaware, spybot etc...

More RAM is a great idea. Seems 512 is about as low as you want to be with WinXP.

If the video is sluggish you might want to look in to a new videocard. Not sure what you have now, might even be intergrated video since you said it was a low money PC. That could be using your RAM too.

Really doesn't sound like you need a new PC to me. Couple things might make it better than new.

Re: Upgrade the current computer, or buy a new one?
 

I would just add a bunch of RAM. Everything else looks fine unless you play high graphic games.

Re: Upgrade the current computer, or buy a new one?
 

[ QUOTE ]
If it is more sluggish than normal you might check it for spyware using adaware, spybot etc...

[/ QUOTE ]

You had to mention that!

I spent 8hrs downloading patches/antivirii/adaware and rebuilding my daughter and son-in-laws box. Then spent 2hrs reaming their butts. 2500+ virii, spybots, and such.

They only have dialup and I didn't bring any software. Was just planning on installing a new vid editor.

Re: Upgrade the current computer, or buy a new one?
 

[ QUOTE ]
If it is more sluggish than normal you might check it for spyware using adaware, spybot etc...

More RAM is a great idea. Seems 512 is about as low as you want to be with WinXP.

If the video is sluggish you might want to look in to a new videocard. Not sure what you have now, might even be intergrated video since you said it was a low money PC. That could be using your RAM too.

Really doesn't sound like you need a new PC to me. Couple things might make it better than new.

[/ QUOTE ]

I've got AdAware, SpyDoctor and SpySweeper. Anything else you recommend?

Re: Upgrade the current computer, or buy a new one?
 

microsoft antispyware

Re: Upgrade the current computer, or buy a new one?
 

Hi,

I have a similar question as the OP. I have an older comptuer - {no name generic that a friend built }
(1 megahertz speed, just added memory (512 now) and a new DVI video card (for the Dell 2001FP that I just bought) and my hard drive is about 20 gigs (I think).

My motherboard/CPU just died. I am having it replaced with one of the combo boards. And I was told I would probably need the DDR memory too. Is there anything else you would reccomend that I add/upgrade? I only use it to play poker and run PT and GT+. It often performs slugglish when I run all three and sometimes freezes. I run windows XP. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Re: Upgrade the current computer, or buy a new one?
 

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Re: Upgrade the current computer, or buy a new one?
 

I would suggest more RAM. If you can get 1gig of DDR. You should be in good shape. For me 512 is the very least I would run WinXP with. You said that you are having the mobo/cpu replaced... What are you getting? Here is what I do when replacing a cpu, because I am not a wealthy person... I look at the price sheet for all the current AMD cpus and I get the one that is right before the prices start going up in larger increments. I think I said that clearly?!

Also, keep the software updated... Windows, anti virus, spyware stuff etc...

Hope that helps a little.

Re: Upgrade the current computer, or buy a new one?
 

Hey,

I am getting the dual processor/cpu. I think intel P4 at 3.2mghrtz and then some new DDR memory for 1 gig. The prices are 209 and 119. The guy that is working on my computer told me that those are good prices. I don't have a lot to spend, but if you can get a little more bang for a buck, I tend to try the bang if that makes sense.

Luckily my computer guy is giving me a refund for the old memory (the s ram) that I just bought. I'll hope it all works!!!!

Re: Upgrade the current computer, or buy a new one?
 

Those prices don't seem out of line. Depending on the speed of the memory you might be able to find it cheaper, but if it being installed at those prices you are doing just fine.

Be sure that it is a P4 not a Celeron, and do your best to get quality RAM. Kingston, Corsair others may have some input on this, but make sure it is not just bobs ramorama.

Re: Upgrade the current computer, or buy a new one?
 

The motherboard is ESC 848P-A and the memory is by Mushkin (1 gig). I am a computer newbie and never don't know brands, so I hope those are decent. The computer guy also told me that XP didn't like the new parts so he has to reinstall it (XP).

Re: Upgrade the current computer, or buy a new one?
 

[ QUOTE ]
The motherboard is ESC 848P-A and the memory is by Mushkin (1 gig). I am a computer newbie and never don't know brands, so I hope those are decent. The computer guy also told me that XP didn't like the new parts so he has to reinstall it (XP).

[/ QUOTE ]

That's probably an "ECS" motherboard. They're ok...middle of the line motherboards. The Mushkin RAM is high quality memory. But the PC Tech probably booted up Windows XP without first booting into Safe Mode and removing the drivers for the old motherboard. He should not have needed to reinstall Windows XP.