Help upgrading my XPS 420

[PosiStevety]

Hi all, my XPS 420 is rather old, it is a bit noisy and seems to be freezing up a bit now and I'm wondering if I can upgrade it, I don't have a lot of money so any help is appreciated. Here are my current specs

Processor - Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q9400 @2.66GHz - 2.66GHz
Installed memory (RAM) - 8.00 GB
System type - 64-bit Operating System, x64 based-processor (Windows 10)
Graphics Card - AMD Radeon HD 7700 Series

I used to know what all this meant many years ago, so I'm asking what do I need to get my PC running smoothly again, I mainly use it for internet browsing, photo editing and the odd game, mostly old games not the latest stuff

Any help or advice will be greatly appreciated

 

[The Paladin]

well I can dell you from experience, the XPS420 is a decent little computer, you have the fastest cpu it will handle , the most ram it will permit to have and a very good video card .

1. please explain " freezing up, as in what are you doing when it freezes up and how long do the freeze last ?
2. look inside your case and tell us your make/model of your power supply.

suspicions;
I would test video card, removing the video card and use the on board connector to use as a graphic card, to see if the system still freezes, if it doesn't then your video card may bee the cause, potentially it is a driver issue, start by running DDU/reinstall drivers again.
if no changes after doing above then remove all ram except 1 stick of ram at a time and test to see if one specific ram stick is causing the freezing.
alternatively you could run a MEMTEST over night to verify your Ram for defects.

DDU can be found here: https://www.wagnardsoft.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=939
Safe Mode for Windows 10 how to: https://www.digitalcitizen.life/4-ways-boot-safe-mode-windows-10
HD 7700 Drivers for windows 10 : (pick either the win 10 x32 or x64) http://support.amd.com/en-us/kb-articles/Pages/AMD-Radeon-7000-Series-Drivers.aspx
MEMTESTx86 https://www.memtest86.com/

 

[Rdslw]

On older machines first suspect of mine is dust.
it collects, clogs cooling and stuff start to overheat... You would be supprised how much a nice compressed air can do for your performance.
second thing is HDD dying. First thing you will see it SLOOWDOWN and random freezes when it will reach for new spot to place data and while fixing broken area.
https://www.lifewire.com/free-hard-drive-testing-programs-2626183
check if you need to thin about new disc.

 

[PosiStevety]

Thank you for the info, when I'm home and have some spare time I'll definitely look into all those suggestions.

I should mention the freezing is the screen completely freezes on whatever I am doing, but the mouse is moveable some of the time and the computer appears to be groaning during this period. It is like something is struggling, I thought I was doing too much at once but surely I should be able to leave the internet open and edit pictures in Paint Shop Pro at the same time?