Upgrade Idea's

Neeko Masochist · 03-22-2008, 01:18 PM

Hi, I'm a new face and a serious PC enthusiast, I love computers and if there's one thing I like doing than anything else in the morning, it's getting up switching on my old compy and defragging her drive and making sure she is in working condition.

However, our computer is pretty damn old and lacks most of the power you see in today's computers. But seeing my dad is a tight git and the chances of getting a new computer unless this one explodes is remote despite how cheap you can get one these days. (Of course, he would rather spend the money on a 32" Wide Screen Plasma HDTV)

So If I throw down my DirectX Diagnostics log do you think you guys can give me some decent information on how to get some more performance from my beloved computer?

Cheers muchly.

**emosun** · 03-22-2008, 10:38 PM

Could you post the make and model pc you have. It appears to have a pentium 4 3ghz with 1.5 gb ram , 180gb of hdd space total and integrated video.

Is there any particular aspect that is slow that you want to speed up? Because the pc looks ok for just basic computer use.

Neeko Masochist · 03-23-2008, 12:15 PM

Unfortunetly, although my computer has enough power and RAM to run most games now-a-days, its still lacking in the graphics department.

It runs very, very slowly when particle's, Pixel & Vertex Shaders and AA (Anti-Aliasing) come into play. Although most games allow you to turn these effects of, or at least turn them down, I still cannot play some of the games I want to.

My computer was manufactured by eMachines, I don't know if 5240 would mean anything to you, I could be model number, I don't really know.

**emosun** · 03-23-2008, 05:27 PM

Since I can barely find any information on the emachines 5240 , download everest in my sig , install it , then use the report tool and post the results back here.

A video card upgrade could help but we need to know what will fit in the machine. Also , are you using any anti virus or spyware programs like norton or macafee, these slow pc's down a lot more then speed up.

Neeko Masochist · 03-24-2008, 10:44 AM

That looks like a very handy tool, I'm going to keep that. And yes, we run on Norton 360, my dad knows nothing about computers except how to use the internet so even though I keep making suggestions he never listens. I actually hate Norton and prefer McAfee, Live Update really lags my system, especially when it starts up in the middle of my games...

And the report has been done, it's a full system report.

**emosun** · 03-24-2008, 11:32 AM

Well if you really want to improve speed get rid of Norton. Norton and macafee are really slow heavy programs that don't do anything but slow down your pc. Every time I go over to friends or other peoples houses, all they're doing on there computers is complaining on how its so slow all the time and they don't know why. Then I look on there screen and they either have norton or macafee running in the background and its sucking 80% of there resources out of the pc keeping it "safe". The ironic thing is these programs cost alot of money and are slow and worse for your computer then it was before. I'm willing to bet if you turn off norton your pc would all the sudden have more speed.

Every gamer uses either AVG or I use super anti spyware and just a firewall. I have never used norton or macafee and my pc is fast and virus free, compared to other peoples that are brand new and they can't even connect to youtube because its so laggy. So anyway check out AVG or super anti spyware.

Now as for the pc , it has expansion available for a graphics card. So if you want to improve speed in games you should get a video card. What I'll need to know is your budget and also the make and model powersupply in the system. They only way to know the powersupply make and model is to open the case and read the sticker on the side of it. Most likely the powersupply is a no name 300W (famous with emachines), so if you want to upgrade to higher end video cards you'll need to upgrade that aswell.

ShosMeister · 03-24-2008, 11:56 AM

I would have to resoundingly second emosun's recommendation for AVG. Have been using it on my PCs for years (5+) with no problems.

Neeko Masochist · 04-02-2008, 02:51 PM

Sorry for may absence lately, a number of things came up.

I will get back to this asap though so don't think I've given up on this.

- Neeko

03-22-2008, 10:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
emosun Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: usa Posts: 6,971 OS: xp pro sp2 My System	Re: Upgrade Idea's Could you post the make and model pc you have. It appears to have a pentium 4 3ghz with 1.5 gb ram , 180gb of hdd space total and integrated video. Is there any particular aspect that is slow that you want to speed up? Because the pc looks ok for just basic computer use. __________________ Gpu Benchmarks Cpu-Z Power supply information and selection Gpu-Z Video card quick list

03-23-2008, 12:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
Neeko Masochist Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Midlands UK Posts: 5 OS: Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2	Re: Upgrade Idea's Unfortunetly, although my computer has enough power and RAM to run most games now-a-days, its still lacking in the graphics department. It runs very, very slowly when particle's, Pixel & Vertex Shaders and AA (Anti-Aliasing) come into play. Although most games allow you to turn these effects of, or at least turn them down, I still cannot play some of the games I want to. My computer was manufactured by eMachines, I don't know if 5240 would mean anything to you, I could be model number, I don't really know.

03-23-2008, 05:27 PM	#4 (permalink)
emosun Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: usa Posts: 6,971 OS: xp pro sp2 My System	Re: Upgrade Idea's Since I can barely find any information on the emachines 5240 , download everest in my sig , install it , then use the report tool and post the results back here. A video card upgrade could help but we need to know what will fit in the machine. Also , are you using any anti virus or spyware programs like norton or macafee, these slow pc's down a lot more then speed up. __________________ Gpu Benchmarks Cpu-Z Power supply information and selection Gpu-Z Video card quick list

03-24-2008, 11:32 AM	#6 (permalink)
emosun Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: usa Posts: 6,971 OS: xp pro sp2 My System	Re: Upgrade Idea's Well if you really want to improve speed get rid of Norton. Norton and macafee are really slow heavy programs that don't do anything but slow down your pc. Every time I go over to friends or other peoples houses, all they're doing on there computers is complaining on how its so slow all the time and they don't know why. Then I look on there screen and they either have norton or macafee running in the background and its sucking 80% of there resources out of the pc keeping it "safe". The ironic thing is these programs cost alot of money and are slow and worse for your computer then it was before. I'm willing to bet if you turn off norton your pc would all the sudden have more speed. Every gamer uses either AVG or I use super anti spyware and just a firewall. I have never used norton or macafee and my pc is fast and virus free, compared to other peoples that are brand new and they can't even connect to youtube because its so laggy. So anyway check out AVG or super anti spyware. Now as for the pc , it has expansion available for a graphics card. So if you want to improve speed in games you should get a video card. What I'll need to know is your budget and also the make and model powersupply in the system. They only way to know the powersupply make and model is to open the case and read the sticker on the side of it. Most likely the powersupply is a no name 300W (famous with emachines), so if you want to upgrade to higher end video cards you'll need to upgrade that aswell. __________________ Gpu Benchmarks Cpu-Z Power supply information and selection Gpu-Z Video card quick list

03-24-2008, 11:56 AM	#7 (permalink)
ShosMeister Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Harpers Ferry, WV Posts: 400 OS: OS X 10.4.x	Re: Upgrade Idea's I would have to resoundingly second emosun's recommendation for AVG. Have been using it on my PCs for years (5+) with no problems.

04-02-2008, 02:51 PM	#8 (permalink)
Neeko Masochist Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Midlands UK Posts: 5 OS: Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2	Re: Upgrade Idea's Sorry for may absence lately, a number of things came up. I will get back to this asap though so don't think I've given up on this. - Neeko