Upgrade systems with SSDs?

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Brooks G

Brooks G

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Aug 23, 2009
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Hey Tom's Community! Hoping if you guys could help me out.

I just started working at a local store (Santa Cruz lol) and the company has 2 computers we frequently use. The computers tend to be pretty slow and was thinking of either upgrading the RAM and possibly the hard drives to an SSD. I know these systems aren't the best, but I'd like to stay away from the idea of junking them for newer ones.

Specs:

ASUSTeK P7H55-M LX

Intel Core i3 540

4 Gb dual DDR3, NB 2133.4 MHz; DRAM Frequency 666.7 MHz
 
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clutchc
I forgot that the i5 back then was still dual core. My bad. After that 1st generation Core processors, the i5 desktop processors were quad cores. So the i5-650 being another dual core would be minimal improvement and not worth it. http://cpuboss.com/cpus/Intel-Core-i5-650-vs-Intel-Core-i3-540
It would be necessary to move to the i7 line. Sorry for my brain fart.

Since Microsoft is no longer supporting XP with security updates, it might be wise to convince the owner to upgrade to a newer OS. Be sure to maintain updated virus signatures for your virus pgm. in the meantime. And running the retail version of Malwarebytes would be a good idea too.
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clutchc

clutchc

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Apr 22, 2009
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The SSD will improve load times for apps and pgms and general disk access. So for that purpose, a SSD upgrade would be the way to go*. But the SSD won't help computational speed. The old i3 is a bit weak. I doubt you'll find a new 1st gen Core processor for that system anymore, maybe a used i5 or i7. Here is the CPU support list for that motherboard along with the BIOS version required for it to be recognized: http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/P7H55M_LX/HelpDesk_CPU/

I presume this is for business use and not for gaming. If so, doubling the RAM won't be of much help. And if you are using a 32 bit oS, it can only access 4GB anyway.

If you decide to add a SSD, here is a quide for getting the best performance from it and keeping it from writing itself to an early death: http://www.computing.net/howtos/show/solid-state-drive-ssd-tweaks-for-windows-7/552.html

* An alternative to a discrete SSD would be installing the inexpensive Sandisk Readycache in place of the SSD. It works as a persistent cache to the HDD and will speed up disk access time after learning your everyday usage. It's an economical alternative to a SSD. The beauty of it is that you don't have to re-install the OS and all your apps. Just pop it in, run the included software, and within a while it makes your system feel as fast as a discrete SSD. Plus you still have the full space of the HDD and not limited to the size of a (usually smaller) SSD. http://www.sandisk.com/products/ssd/sata/readycache/

Here is a review of the Sandisk Readycache from a trusted site: http://www.hardocp.com/article/2012/10/17/sandisk_readycache_32gb_ssd_review#.U59hx7Ehu8o
 
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Brooks G

Brooks G

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Aug 23, 2009
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Hey ClutchC, thank you for responding so fast!

We only use Mozilla and a P.O.S software on the comps so I feel the readycache would be a solid choice! And you are correct, there will be no gaming intended for these PC's, and you're right, it's a 32 bit so more RAM won't do much there, embarrassing I forgot that lol.

If I bought 2 i5's for $65 each, would you say the performance gain would be worth it, or would it be negligible since it's such an old system?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-Core-i5-650-Processor-4M-Cache-3-20-GHz-SLBTJ-/131217851426?pt=CPUs&hash=item1e8d318422

I like the idea of the ready cache SSD's, however I have to wait for the owner to upgrade to Windows 7 (explained to her MS stopped supporting XP -> Security problems)

 
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clutchc

clutchc

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Apr 22, 2009
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I forgot that the i5 back then was still dual core. My bad. After that 1st generation Core processors, the i5 desktop processors were quad cores. So the i5-650 being another dual core would be minimal improvement and not worth it. http://cpuboss.com/cpus/Intel-Core-i5-650-vs-Intel-Core-i3-540
It would be necessary to move to the i7 line. Sorry for my brain fart.

Since Microsoft is no longer supporting XP with security updates, it might be wise to convince the owner to upgrade to a newer OS. Be sure to maintain updated virus signatures for your virus pgm. in the meantime. And running the retail version of Malwarebytes would be a good idea too.
 
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