Posted on: 22-08-15 14:49:35
I have a 7 year old gateway computer Gateway Gt5408 desktop. I wish to upgrade its memory to 4GB & installing Windows 7 0r 8
Currently, i have 2 GB ram (1 GB + 2- 512MB) on it with Windows Vista home Premium operating system 32bit.
I am looking at options of buying a new PC or upgrading it.
We use computer at home for light to heavy web surfing, emails, sometimes watching movies.
Upgrading is my first choice if i can get few more years out of this PC.
I have budgeted around max $150+/- for giving an upgrade if the cost exceeds i will look into buying a newer laptop or desktop
The computer can support 2GB more RAM max. I think DDR2 type not sure about DDR3
I am not too sure what specification of RAM i should be buying & what other upgrades would be necessary to give it slightly more boost.
Also, if you some one knows stores where i can buy cheap RAM that would be helpful.
i read some articles where they say in order to get best performance all the RAM must be compatible to each other i am guessing same frequency.
I kind of got confused reading hardware requirements etc.
I want to make sure if i buy RAM it works.
I also realize i may have to buy memory online. I i can go to a local shop & telling the guy what exactly i need that is the most preferable option.
Hello,
Is their an absolute necessity that you want to upgrade to windows 7/8? As you said you just use computer for surfing/email/movies, Your computers current configuration should work for 2-3 years.
Few things you may try :
Try uninstalling all programs you are not using.
Delete web history from time to time.
Delete %temp% files daily or weekly.
Don't install multiple video players/browsers and anti viruses.
Still if you want to add more RAM, you can take your cpu model # to Canada Computers, mostly they will put 1 GB RAM in the other 2 slot where you have 512MB or will advice of any alternative(s).
Quote:
Originally posted by nari
I have a 7 year old gateway computer Gateway Gt5408 desktop. I wish to upgrade its memory to 4GB & installing Windows 7 0r 8
Currently, i have 2 GB ram (1 GB + 2- 512MB) on it with Windows Vista home Premium operating system 32bit.
I am looking at options of buying a new PC or upgrading it.
We use computer at home for light to heavy web surfing, emails, sometimes watching movies.
Upgrading is my first choice if i can get few more years out of this PC.
I have budgeted around max $150+/- for giving an upgrade if the cost exceeds i will look into buying a newer laptop or desktop
The computer can support 2GB more RAM max. I think DDR2 type not sure about DDR3
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The support for Windows Vista is over. It will be hard to salvage a system like that once it collapses. So, save all of the stuff you want to keep on to a Jump Drive and then look for a change. Windows 7 a thirty two bit system will run as smoothly as the Vista 32 bit OS. If you are going for it, then, do a clean install. Some one will do it for 30 bucks. Please get the drivers loaded up onto a DVD from him/her.
DDR 3 uses less power, a 30% less than DDR2. DDR3 also runs 8 times faster. It will cost you an additional $10 for 2 gigs. old used ram, DDR2. Try and match the 2 Gigs you have on board.
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The computer can support 2GB more RAM max. I think DDR2 type not sure about DDR3
I am not too sure what specification of RAM i should be buying & what other upgrades would be necessary to give it slightly more boost.
Also, if you some one knows stores where i can buy cheap RAM that would be helpful.
i read some articles where they say in order to get best performance all the RAM must be compatible to each other i am guessing same frequency.
I kind of got confused reading hardware requirements etc.
I want to make sure if i buy RAM it works.
I also realize i may have to buy memory online. I i can go to a local shop & telling the guy what exactly i need that is the most preferable option.
--
All of the above, if you do, will run your e-mail and google search etc., It will run if the MB will last. Just keep it for light work. Good luck with this machine.
NEXT for aN Off Lease Quad Core, once again a tower. It was on display at the Gerrard shop this week. for 135 bucks plus tax. It is a work horse. If you want to throw it onto the gaming this is the kind of machine to go for. Also load an additional 4 or 8 Gigs of ram. Also run a 16 gig jump drive to top it up with, for Dynamic Ram.(memory boost) Get the best joy stick and you are off the ramp/runway for a shooting match. The store's name is TECK SOURCE. There used to be one at DIXIE AND HWY 5, in the back. SE corner.
FH.
Rams don't die. Try to match the old ones. fh.
If you go for a 2 GB stick since you only have one slot left, you will have three different sizes of RAM in your system (512 MB, 1GB, 2GB). Might work though not ideal. You can remove the RAM from your computer and take it to Canada Computers or any other computer hardware store and get their opinion.
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You should be looking at electronics recyclers near your abode and get rid off this computer. Next, look for a modern CPU box. If store prices are too high, search in Kijiji. Of course, it would help if you know small things about hardware and software; if not, it is possible to read up on the web. I have seen recently 2+2 GB DDR2 RAM for 15 bucks on kijiji (your area maybe different). You can get a decent CPU box from kijiji for a 100 bucks or below. I bought a 1 TB hard drive for 30 bucks. Anyways, with a total of 240 bucks, I put together an i7 based HP elitebook with 6 GB RAM and 1 TB hard drive about 3 weeks ago. The only thing about kijiji is: you need to have some patience (things may not be there at one time)... and have some clues as to what you looking for. After putting that elitebook together, I used a biosmod to make it accept windows 7, immediately after installing windows 7, upgraded it to windows 10 pro. Now it looks and works sweet. You can do it too, just check kijiji on regular basis (once a day).. and look for parts.
If you have no patience or not computer nerd, well then best buy is the place. The best thing of kijiji is, you can slightly bargain and the purchases are tax free..
Windows Vista is very resource intensive .
Switch to Windows 7 , review the performance and then decide if you wish to upgrade.
You current configuration is good for regular home use .
Which processor are you having ..Methinks it should be dual core or core 2 duo if intel.
Use this for another 2 years or so and then buy a new one.
If you are interested in buying now , check out TechSource Canada's current flyer .
They have a 14" Dell or HP laptop i5 , 4G , 160G for 219 + taxes (no webcam though) ... I would suggest to buy online as their store stock runs out soon.
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Fido.
Thank you all for your suggestions.
At this stage, i will keep looking for a compatible RAM. I will remove 2 No-512's & buy 3 -1GB rams or may be all 4-1GB's.
wrt to upgrading operating system what you guys think would be the best place to look for Window 7 buying or downloading it online or go to a physical store.Does it make any price difference or its good to have physical CD/USB stick
What is an ISO file.
It is true fido Windows Vista is not a great operating system.
My computers windows experience index score comes out to 2.8 with lowest score on Graphics.
for processor:- 4.8, RAM:-4.6,Gaming Graphics:-3.1,Disk Data transfer rate:-5.6
