RAM Upgrade: worth it?

mpic92 · 08-11-2008, 05:08 PM

Ok, I have an HP Pavillion a450n desktop, from around 2003. It runs well, but sometimes when using simple programs like Firefox and iTunes, it's a little too sluggish.

Here are the specs:

Windows XP (Home)
Service Pack 3
Intel Pentium 4 CPU (3.00 GHz)
512 MB DDR RAM
nVidia GeForce FX 5200 (128 MB)
160 GB 7,200 RPM Hard drive

My question is, how much would it help the system if I upgraded to 2 GB of RAM? Would I notice a significant improvement, or barely none at all due to the Pentium 4 processor?

Also, if I go through with this: How do I detect the type of RAM my system will accept?

**Doby** · 08-11-2008, 07:49 PM

I would go with just 1 gig, you would not need 2 gig for just running a internet pc, you will see some increase in performance going up from 512mb.

Go to crucial.com or corsair.com and run the memory configuator this will tell you what ram will work in your system and its guaranteed

Houndog777 · 08-12-2008, 04:17 AM

Hi, MPIC
There's nothing wrong with Pentium4, and running Firefox shouldn't slow your PC down.

Apart from adding more RAM which Doby has already advised you on, I'd suggest clearing your hard drive of all un-needed programs, obselete files, old temporary folders etc and defragmenting the drive.

You could also disable windows services that you will never use, and any useless programs that start along with windows.
This free download will help you do most of this....
http://majorgeeks.com/download4191.html

08-11-2008, 05:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
mpic92 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 1 OS: XP	RAM Upgrade: worth it? Ok, I have an HP Pavillion a450n desktop, from around 2003. It runs well, but sometimes when using simple programs like Firefox and iTunes, it's a little too sluggish. Here are the specs: Windows XP (Home) Service Pack 3 Intel Pentium 4 CPU (3.00 GHz) 512 MB DDR RAM nVidia GeForce FX 5200 (128 MB) 160 GB 7,200 RPM Hard drive My question is, how much would it help the system if I upgraded to 2 GB of RAM? Would I notice a significant improvement, or barely none at all due to the Pentium 4 processor? Also, if I go through with this: How do I detect the type of RAM my system will accept?

08-11-2008, 07:49 PM	#2 (permalink)
Doby Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Central PA (USA) Posts: 8,077 OS: XP sp2/ Vista My System	Re: RAM Upgrade: worth it? I would go with just 1 gig, you would not need 2 gig for just running a internet pc, you will see some increase in performance going up from 512mb. Go to crucial.com or corsair.com and run the memory configuator this will tell you what ram will work in your system and its guaranteed __________________ Would you like to help TSF fight cancer and other diseases??? JOIN TEAM TSF

08-12-2008, 04:17 AM	#3 (permalink)
Houndog777 Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Scotland, UK Posts: 2,683 OS: XPpro sp3 My System	Re: RAM Upgrade: worth it? Hi, MPIC There's nothing wrong with Pentium4, and running Firefox shouldn't slow your PC down. Apart from adding more RAM which Doby has already advised you on, I'd suggest clearing your hard drive of all un-needed programs, obselete files, old temporary folders etc and defragmenting the drive. You could also disable windows services that you will never use, and any useless programs that start along with windows. This free download will help you do most of this.... http://majorgeeks.com/download4191.html