Best possible upgrade for an old pc.

Silverpreg

Commendable
Nov 2, 2016
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Hello,

I need to upgrade the system of my father in law. He has an old computer but he cannot spend a lot of money to buy a new one. The computer works way to slow, even when you want to open chrome. He has basic needs, like watching youtube videos, checking email, web browsing, skype calls and maybe office.

His specs are the following
Cpu: Intel pentium E2180 @2.00GHz
Ram: 1 GB Single channel DDR2 @333 MHz (5-5-5-15)
Motherboard: ASUSTek Computer INC P5LD2-X/1333 (lga775)
Hard drive:HDD 232GB Seagate ST3250318AS (SATA)

So is it possible to upgrade those components to make it faster and possibly update os (as he is still in windows xp) and have no lag in the simple tasks stated above. He is not a power user at all. Basic tasks only. I was thinking obviously additional ram but is it enough?What more can I do with a budget of 100 euros more or less?
 
Solution
Even though E8400 is much better than E2180, it also costs quite a bit.
pcpp: http://de.pcpartpicker.com/product/FvGkcf/intel-cpu-bx80570e8500

If you can find one that is used, there's no telling if it even works and when it dies, you don't have any warranty to replace it. That's the downside of using used parts.

Also, when the upgraded system ages to a point where a completely new PC is needed, you can easily take the SSD from old PC and reuse it in new system. However, you can't reuse the E8400 CPU in the new system.

Themastererr

Respectable
May 22, 2016
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Is the motherboard Rev 2.0? Look all over the motherboard for this info - it should be in white writing.

If it is, you're in luck. Look in local classifieds for a Intel core2 duo CPU , preferably the Core 2 Duo E6700, as it the best in slot for your motherboard.

You should also look for more RAM. 3-4GB is nice to have. If you have 100$ you could probably find a decent/older GPU to throw in there as well. This will boost chrome and Youtube performance immensely.

These components should be really cheap. You can look on Ebay too. This would be a cool little project. I like stuff like this. Good luck.
 

Aeacus

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Here's what i suggest for an upgrade.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Memory: Corsair 1GB (1 x 1GB) DDR2-533 Memory (€22.28 @ Amazon France)
Storage: SK hynix SL308 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive (€87.81 @ Amazon France)
Total: €110.09
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-11-02 20:56 CET+0100

Few words.

Whenever possible, always let the RAM run in dual channel by using 2 RAM sticks. Dual channel is much faster than single channel and when one stick dies, you're left with another one.
Since i don't know which RAM he already has and if the new RAM works with the old one, you might have to buy two Corsair RAM sticks to make both of them work.

SSD in the PC as system disk helps a lot to speed all things up. Just use any clone disk program to basically copy/paste the entire system from old HDD to a new SSD. This way the system works as it did before, while keeping all the personal data and without the need to install any new drivers.
Old HDD can stay as backup for Win XP (like i have it) or after clone disk, can be formatted and used as an extra storage device.

As far as upgrading OS goes, i don't suggest going for the Win 10. Win 10 min system requirements are:
CPU: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster processor or SoC
RAM: 2GB for both 32-bit and 64-bit
Storage disk space: 16GB for 32-bit OS or 20GB for 64-bit OS
GPU: DirectX 9 or later with WDDM 1.0 driver
Monitor: 800-by-600 resolution

Even though the PC does reach the min system requirements, there is no telling if the Win 10 will work on old hardware at all.

For a new OS, i suggest Linux instead. Linux Mint is a good option (e.g MATE 32-bit).
link: https://www.linuxmint.com/download.php
For installing Linux Mint, a USB flash drive is needed, atleast 3GB in size.
Here's a program for creating a live Linux USB boot drive (tutorial included),
link: http://www.pendrivelinux.com/universal-usb-installer-easy-as-1-2-3/
 

Silverpreg

Commendable
Nov 2, 2016
4
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1,510


Hello Themastererr, and thank you for your answer. Unfortunately I don't have access to the motherboard right now so I cannot check it. I used a software to collect information of the hardware but it doesn't say which rev it is. Anything else that i can do ?
 

Themastererr

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May 22, 2016
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Good news, upon further digging, that motherboard can actually support the CPU with all versions of the PCB. Scratch my 2.0 requirement out.

My original idea still stands. Try to find the CPU, more RAM, and a half decent GPU. The GPU should be PCI-Express with a low power draw. Preferably one with no extra power connections needed.

You could buy these components new like Aeacus suggested but you will be paying an arm and a leg for them. I'm not sure where you from (big city or small town) but buying used components can be awesome.

Check this out - http://www.kijiji.ca/v-computer-components/winnipeg/intel-dual-core-core-2-duo-cpus-up-to-3-2ghz-socket-775/1205415665?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

That's 5$ for the CPU you need!!! These are the kind of deals I'm talking about. RAM is just as cheap in most cases. The GPU should run you roughly 30 US Dollars.
 

Silverpreg

Commendable
Nov 2, 2016
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Hello Aeacus,

Well he is really used to windows environment and I don't know how willing he is to change, I was considering if the system is not able to handle windows 10 maybe windows 7 could be a good option? Also do you think that the cpu is ok to handle the tasks it needs? Like, will the ssd and the extra ram be sufficient enough ?
 

Silverpreg

Commendable
Nov 2, 2016
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That is great news!!!! I will start looking for ads for components, I am thinking that used ones in good condition will be the way to go, as its just for a basic use not something more. So all the core 2 duos that are in the link you provided match with the motherboard right? And what about os? do you think windows 7 would be good or windows 10?
 

Themastererr

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May 22, 2016
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Check this link out https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/P5LD2X1333/HelpDesk_CPU/ It will provide you with a table that has the CPU's ASUS has tested to be compatible with your motherboard :D. Use this table to find the best core2 you can get, which is the E-8600.

Keep in mind the E-8600 will push your motherboard to the limit - 1333mhz!. This isn't a bad thing at all, but it will be more taxing on your setup and heat up the system more. If you decide against this, the E8400 will work just fine without O.C mode. The link I provided you also has the manual there - you can look up how to engage O.C modes and what not. Pretty much anything you need to know is there.

You would definitely want to go with Windows 7- This motherboard uses technologies that Windows 10 might not be compatible with. Windows 7 for sure.
 

Aeacus

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Going for Linux is one option what to do but it's not necessary. Linux Mint's GUI is very similar to Windows and it can be even customized to look exactly like Win XP.
Small video too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlFjk8rKQnQ

Win 7 min system requirements are:
CPU: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
RAM: 1 gigabyte (GB) RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit)
Storage: 16 GB available hard disk space (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)
GPU: DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver

But the thing with Windows 7 is, that all sales of Windows 7 ended in October 31, 2016.
source: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/13853/windows-lifecycle-fact-sheet
If you're lucky, you can find an OEM license of Win 7 Pro to buy but that costs quite a bit. I had to hand out 149 euros for the Win 7 Pro 64-bit which is used in my current Skylake build.

Here's a nice video that shows speed difference between SSD and HDD,
youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j84eEjP-RL4
If i had that build, i'd go for double the RAM and SSD for OS.

Getting a new CPU doesn't speed up the PC if all the data is still read from old slow HDD.
And there is a hidden cost in chaining the CPU Themastererr failed to mention. You have to buy thermal paste and replace the old thermal paste with the new one. Thermal paste doesn't cost much but changing the CPU is very delicate task and when you go wrong in there, you can ruin the whole system.
 

Themastererr

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May 22, 2016
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Good points!

And very true, You will have to buy thermal paste for the CPU, it should run 5$ or so.

Agreed with the difficult of changing a CPU. Especially on socket 775, you must be careful not to bend the pins. I've been doing this since I was 12 years old, so I don't think twice about the difficulty, but yes it is there. There is a plethora of YouTube videos to guide you along the way though.

Ya, you could go SSD and Windows will start up fast and open applications will open quicker - but that's it. Browsing will be slow, Watching YouTube in HD will be an absolute nightmare, and general multitasking will be lackluster. Upgrading the CPU, RAM, and GPU prior to an SSD is a much more logical approach.

However, the CPU is only 20% better than the previous one. If you skipped the CPU and went used SSD, RAM, and GPU. I think that would be a great approach too.

Aecus has a good counter argument to be honest. Consider his SSD idea.

**Edit: Holy crap. I take back my 20% claim. If you did find a Core2duo 8400/8600, you could see gains of up to 70%
http://www.cpu-world.com/Compare/380/Intel_Core_2_Duo_E8400_vs_Intel_Pentium_Dual-Core_E2200.html

 

Aeacus

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Even though E8400 is much better than E2180, it also costs quite a bit.
pcpp: http://de.pcpartpicker.com/product/FvGkcf/intel-cpu-bx80570e8500

If you can find one that is used, there's no telling if it even works and when it dies, you don't have any warranty to replace it. That's the downside of using used parts.

Also, when the upgraded system ages to a point where a completely new PC is needed, you can easily take the SSD from old PC and reuse it in new system. However, you can't reuse the E8400 CPU in the new system.

 
Solution