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E-Machines Upgrade ???

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  • 14-05-2009 3:03pm
    #1
    FyFyTa
    Registered Users Posts: 176 ✭✭


    Hello, I have an E Machines 550 that is about 6 or 7 years old. The specifications of it are as follows - E Machines 550. 1.60 GHZ, 256 DDR RAM, 40GB Hard Drive, 3D Graphics, Pentium 4 Processor. I am just wondering if I can increase the RAM (it has a spare slot), also any other hints or tips as to increase performance as it is slowing up a bit. It has been defraged & cleaned on an ongoing basis. Many thanks :confused::confused::confused:
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    #2
    CutzEr
    Closed Accounts Posts: 837 ✭✭✭CutzEr


    Don't bother upgrading anything on that machine tbh, it is so old it probably use's a near extinct version of RAM, that would cost ALOT of money.

    Your best bet is to just get a new computer, even if you did buy new RAM, you could only buy about 1-2GB and that just wouldn't be noticeable.


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    #3
    uberpixie
    Registered Users Posts: 1,864 ✭✭✭uberpixie


    FyFyTa wrote: »
    Hello, I have an E Machines 550 that is about 6 or 7 years old. The specifications of it are as follows - E Machines 550. 1.60 GHZ, 256 DDR RAM, 40GB Hard Drive, 3D Graphics, Pentium 4 Processor. I am just wondering if I can increase the RAM (it has a spare slot), also any other hints or tips as to increase performance as it is slowing up a bit. It has been defraged & cleaned on an ongoing basis. Many thanks :confused::confused::confused:

    1) 512mb of sdram will cost you around 50 euro and would make a big difference to the running of windows.

    2) a full wipe and reinstall of windows wouldn't be a bad idea either.

    All in all if your old pc does what you need it to do: ignore the advice of the previous poster.

    For a little money and a little elbow grease your pc will be back up to speed.
    Buying a new pc is a waste of money if you do not use the extra power.


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    #4
    FyFyTa
    Registered Users Posts: 176 ✭✭FyFyTa


    Thanks a million uberpixie, will I not have to get DDR ram, rather than sdram, as that is what originally came with the machine?


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    #5
    godskitchen
    Registered Users Posts: 1,826 ✭✭✭godskitchen


    If you were happy with the performance of your PC when you first got it, then you will not need to get a new PC. It will do everything today that it did 6/7 years ago.

    Reinstall Windows and it will run pretty much like it did ran on day 1.

    Buy second hand RAM off ebay, no point getting new parts.


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    #6
    FyFyTa
    Registered Users Posts: 176 ✭✭FyFyTa


    Thanks Godskitchen, I,m off to ebay as we speak!!!


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    #7
    Solitaire
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 18,377 Mod ✭✭✭✭Solitaire


    godskitchen wrote:
    If you were happy with the performance of your PC when you first got it, then you will not need to get a new PC. It will do everything today that it did 6/7 years ago.

    Reinstall Windows and it will run pretty much like it did ran on day 1.

    I think Windows Update would put a stop to that lol.gif

    Mmm... bloatware... :p


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    #8
    thepcgp
    Registered Users Posts: 64 ✭✭thepcgp


    Hi, I hope I can help you with this.

    It appears that, as you mentioned, your eMachines 550 notebook uses DDR SDRAM. From what I have read, this model should support at least 1GB total, or 2 x 512MB chips. I'm not certain, as information on this model is very scarce, but it appears that this is correct. If you combine the memory upgrade with a reinstall of Windows and some configuration tweaking (page file settings, windows display effects, startup configuration), you should be able to squeeze a lot more power out of this machine.

    You can get 2 x 512MB chips for €70 plus vat. If you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself, rates vary for Windows reinstall. I do everything for €99 all in, including fitting the RAM.

    I would advise against using 2nd-hand memory. The guarantee, if there is one, is usually only 7-30 days. Good RAM that is new comes with a lifetime guarantee.

    Hope this helps. If you need more information, post again, or PM me.


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    #9
    Nietzschean
    Registered Users Posts: 7,314 ✭✭✭Nietzschean


    godskitchen wrote: »
    If you were happy with the performance of your PC when you first got it, then you will not need to get a new PC. It will do everything today that it did 6/7 years ago.

    That doesn't make alot of sense if the OP is on the internet, as he seems to be, running a modern browser(which is a must from a security point of view) will chew up far,far more resources , never mind the cost of flash on sites like youtube and so on....

    I'm not saying he has to get a new machine, but its worth pricing the alternative/vs increase in performance. if he's looking at 100e for just ram and the machine would run at maybe 1/3 or less of the speed of a el-cheapo machine costing ~200 a newer machine is worth looking at.... never mind the MTF of the hd's would be a concern amongst other parts potentially die'n.


    Though that said, for a pc that old i would use ebay and get ultra cheapo second hand ram, for ~15/20euro or something who cares if it fails after a year then? (ebay's seller rules would cover DOA from last look)


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