Upgrading dell desktop

usrnme14 · 03-12-2008, 05:05 PM

Hello,
I am working on a Pentium III dell desktop (WIN XP) that is slow. I was thinking of adding more RAM to it, but then I got to thinking whether or not adding RAM will be of any help due to the fact that the processor is old and slow. So will adding more RAM help speed up this system, and what else can i do or add to speed it up?
Thanks

**jarod** · 03-12-2008, 05:08 PM

First off, open and run any program you would normally use. A few browser, antivirus, firewall and a few programs you would normally use. Then hit control alt delete, hit the performance tab and give us the figure below or maybe post a screenshot of it. Those figure there will tell you if you need more RAM...

~~Computer_Doctor~~ · 03-12-2008, 05:14 PM

Besides buying RAM, the computer could be slow and needs a tune-up.

I recommend scanning the computer for spyware and viruses, deleting the temp files, checking the hard-drive for errors, system defragmentation.

**sobeit** · 03-12-2008, 05:22 PM

exactly which dell do you have and how much do you have in it? Older computers have ram limitations.

usrnme14 · 03-12-2008, 08:29 PM

Thanks for your responses. I dont know too many details as of now because i dont have the computer with me, but the guy I am working on it for said it is slow and he wonders how to speed it up. First thing that came to my mind was adding more RAM(but then of course I didnt know if the processor was just causing the slowness and more RAM would be useless). He says he defrags often and runs AV and anti-spyware software often. I will let you know specifics on the computer soon when I actually have the computer.

Thanks

**mattlock** · 03-13-2008, 12:14 AM

It really depends on the amount of RAM the system has currently. If 256mb or less then adding ram will help. Any XP machine should have atleast 512mb of RAM IMHO.

03-12-2008, 05:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
usrnme14 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 6 OS: XP	Upgrading dell desktop Hello, I am working on a Pentium III dell desktop (WIN XP) that is slow. I was thinking of adding more RAM to it, but then I got to thinking whether or not adding RAM will be of any help due to the fact that the processor is old and slow. So will adding more RAM help speed up this system, and what else can i do or add to speed it up? Thanks

03-12-2008, 05:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
jarod TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Malaysia, Klang Posts: 519 OS: Win XP service pack 2 My System	Re: Upgrading dell desktop First off, open and run any program you would normally use. A few browser, antivirus, firewall and a few programs you would normally use. Then hit control alt delete, hit the performance tab and give us the figure below or maybe post a screenshot of it. Those figure there will tell you if you need more RAM...

03-12-2008, 05:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
~~Computer_Doctor~~ Troubled Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 644 OS: Windows XP	Re: Upgrading dell desktop Besides buying RAM, the computer could be slow and needs a tune-up. I recommend scanning the computer for spyware and viruses, deleting the temp files, checking the hard-drive for errors, system defragmentation.

03-12-2008, 05:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
sobeit TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: NEAR Posts: 7,433 OS: windows/linux	Re: Upgrading dell desktop exactly which dell do you have and how much do you have in it? Older computers have ram limitations. __________________ there's been global warming since the ice age

03-12-2008, 08:29 PM	#5 (permalink)
usrnme14 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 6 OS: XP	Re: Upgrading dell desktop Thanks for your responses. I dont know too many details as of now because i dont have the computer with me, but the guy I am working on it for said it is slow and he wonders how to speed it up. First thing that came to my mind was adding more RAM(but then of course I didnt know if the processor was just causing the slowness and more RAM would be useless). He says he defrags often and runs AV and anti-spyware software often. I will let you know specifics on the computer soon when I actually have the computer. Thanks

03-13-2008, 12:14 AM	#6 (permalink)
mattlock Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 4,183 OS: XP SP2, Win 7 Beta, Win 7 RC My System	Re: Upgrading dell desktop It really depends on the amount of RAM the system has currently. If 256mb or less then adding ram will help. Any XP machine should have atleast 512mb of RAM IMHO. __________________ Matt Everest-Thermal Paste Instruction-Power Supply Info-Sensorview PSU Calculator-Speedfan-Bench Test Help TSF Fight Disease. It's Free!