Processor Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 2.80GHz, 2800 Mhz, 2 Core(s), 2 Logical Processor(s)
Great advice, but I would say SSD needs to be a minimum of 120GB. This then gives ample space for updates or even an OS upgrade.
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Thanks for the good info.Okay, so your current windows version is 32bit [X86] so ignore the suggestions of any RAM above 4Gb as a 32 bit O/S can only use a max of 4Gb.
The idea of a SSD is sound - with a tower case you'll very likely have room to add a SSD and keep your existing drive.
Here's what I'd do.
Buy an SSD drive 120GB or smaller and reinstalled your O/S onto this - SSD runs much faster than spinning drives - you'll be impressed with boot-up speed.
If you know how [its not that difficult] create a partition on the SSD for your data - 50Gb for the O/S partition is ample.
Copy over from your old disk to the new SSD Data partition all your data files - docs / excel / pics etc. - or an external device as a back-up
Then reformat your old drive [how big is it?] and use that as a second data drive or an active disk backup [all depends how much data you have]
Reinstall your apps on to your new SSD
Upgrade to 4Gb RAM
Will be good enough for a few years yet.
[MENTION=153]perseus[/MENTION] You can get lots of different cases, but the different ones are based on the form factor of your equipment (your motherboard specifically). I'm assuming you'll be using standard ATX if you've already got the equipment from an old machine. You'll be limited if this is what you've got.
Form factors
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_form_factor#/media/File:VIA_Mini-ITX_Form_Factor_Comparison.jpg
Problem solved. Picasa > Tools > Clear Cache files saves tons of space. 20GB on my C disc. Stored pictures are already on D drive.
Windows directory is using 62GB on my C drive, so I need it all put on a new SSD drive. Dealer is reluctant to do this. Is this common? New staff and I bought the computer locally for service for such things like this. I might as well keep the same box. Picasa uses over 31GB as well. Most programs hardly use any space.
You are right on the edge of whether it's better to replace your system, or just get a new drive. That machine has a SATA 1 controller and likely won't support NCQ (AHCI I cannot be certain) - two technologies that will make a big difference on your SSD performance. You could get a separate SATA-3 controller, but I think your machine only have a PCI-E 1 port for that, so you'll still be hitting the same bottleneck.
Based on that, as suggested above you would likely see a decent boost by reinstalling Windows and installing an SSD or even a fast (7200 rpm) HDD. You could reinstall a 64 bit version of windows and stick more memory in there as well, which would certainly help prolong the life.
This is going to come down to whether you want to spend ~£70 on a new 250GB SSD (don't get a small one) and put a bit of effort in to see yourself through for another couple of years, or splash out ~£500 on a new box, to see you through another 5-10 years.
Once you decide, we can advise further and give you the steps you need.
Thanks for the info.
Since i started this thread the BSD are coming quicker now and to top it all my Samsung S2 portable HDD is no longer being read, i have tried it in other machines to be sure so been out and bought a new portable drive to back everything up on.
I'm at the stage now where i have had this now for a good 6 years and spending £100 on a SSD drive and then ore on memory then more on a USB3 card etc ive decided to go the who hog and buy a new one.
been looking at this one, if you "techies" could pass you eyes over it with opinions i would be greatful
Desktop PC
Intel i3 6100 Dual Core Processor running at 3.70GHz
8GB DDR4 2133MHz RAM
Intel HD 530 Graphics
240GB SATA III Solid State Drive
24X DVD / CD - RW Dual Layer Optical Disc Drive
MOTHERBOARD
• MSI H110M PRO VH
• 2 X ULTRA High Speed USB 3.1 Gen 1 Ports
• 4 X High Speed USB 2.0 Ports
• 4 X SATA III Ports
• Gigabit 10 / 100 / 1000 Ethernet Port
• 8 Channel HD Audio
• 1 X PCI Express X16 V3.0 Slot
• 2 X PCI Express X1 Slot
• 1 X PS/2 Port (For Keyboard / Mouse)
• 1 X Serial Port Header
• 1 X HDMI Port
• 1 X VGA Port
AvP Viper PC Case in BLACK
500W PSU
1 x Additional USB 3.0 Ports on Front Top of Case
2 x Additional USB 2.0 Ports on Front Top of Case
Just over £300
Cheers
Thanks for the good info.
What the benefit in partitioning rh the new SSD other than have the os on one drive letter/name and files on another?
As a Linux user, this thread makes me sad. Your hardware is great, your O/S is the problem.
...obvious major advantage is there is separation from your data which means if you do get hit by a serious virus or O/S corruprtion, if you lose your O/S drive it is easily reinstalled without risk to your data. Sure, if you have the budget you can buy an SSD bigger than 120Gb but it is the O/S running on SSD that gives the greatest performance boost - data gains very little - so wasting money using SSD for data too.
Those who claim 120Gb is too small - I bought the entry level Win Surface Pro [awesome piece of kit] which came with win 8.1 on a 64Gb SSD drive I still have 23% free despite installing quite a bit of software programs [MS Office, etc.]
This. If I were in your position I'd download the 64-bit Cinnamon version of the latest Linux Mint
You will need a second hard disc drive as well, at least 1TB to future proof. Maybe bigger? I would put the old HD in a caddy and connect it externally (USB) as a temporary measure only as moving parts hard disks would not last the pace. (? may not need it just for Word & Excel?)
I do not know what Windows system is best? Windows 7 is good enough for me. I use an older version of Office as I prefer it.