sorry for the stupid question

[compnoob]

my gram has a very old computer running DDR (2 x 512MB) but it can also support DDR2 and has a Pentium 4 HT. all she does is web browse 

so my question is should she upgrade her RAM to DDR2 (2 x 1GB) or upgrade her CPU to a core 2 duo/quad CPU socket is 775 LGA

her MB is in link below

http://www.pcchips.com.tw/PCCWebSite/Products/ProductsDetail.aspx?detailid=387&CategoryID=1&DetailName=Bios&MenuID=0&LanID=2

 

[ixi_your_face]

An update is always nice. You can do a relatively cheap MITX build for around £200. It'd work a lot faster too.

[SSOB]

Upgrade ram first. But isn't DDR2 Stupid expensive? Just get her another pc IMO.

[ConfusedDolphin]

Usually when someone computer is that old it is better just to buy something cheap but modern instead of upgrading an outdated computer with slightly higher performing out dated parts. 

[compnoob]

yea i tried explaining that but she doesn't want a new one she just wants hers to be faster... and shes paying so.

[SirReallySam]

Usually when someone computer is that old it is better just to buy something cheap but modern instead of upgrading an outdated computer with slightly higher performing out dated parts. 

what the dolphin said, that doesn't seem very confused XD

 

But if she doesn't want to upgrade, change the processor and the RAM! why not?!

[SirReallySam]

P.S. It's not a stupid question :)

[ConfusedDolphin]

tell her that 

 

yea i tried explaining that but she doesn't want a new one she just wants hers to be faster... and shes paying so.

tell her that it is a much better option just to buy a new computer and that you can transfer all of here data to the new machine. 

[compnoob]

well she's 89 years old and change bothers her she wants to spend as little as possible

so http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231022 x2

ok i will try to convince her but if not will upgrading her ram help her browesing speeds

RAM ($40) + CPU ($70+) = more than a whole new setup lol

she has a hybrid drive so its running sata I and molex power

[techswede]

Be nice and build her a fully watercooled LGA2011 ROG twin titan system with 64gigs of ram!
Nah. it's not a stupid queston^^ been trying to convince my dad to upgrade his system. (and that he was ripped off)
it's running windows xp and is the slowest thing in this galaxy... with 512mbs of ram.. he bought it 4 years ago...
 

[tito]

I think she will notice a bigger diference with more and faster RAM, but in my opinion its just wasting money.

[joelthezombie15]

I think she will notice a bigger diference with more and faster RAM, but in my opinion its just wasting money.

i completely agree, also maybe get her windows 8 or something thats not much of a change at all. ;)

[リチャード]

Let's see:

 

Upgrading RAM costs $20

 

Upgrading CPU will cost like $40 - 50 (Get one with a nice integrated GPU and maybe it'll be closer to $60)

 

 

 

No need to over-think when you're not spending more than $100 IMO... >.<

[Blade of Grass]

Don't be sorry for asking a question. 

[KaareKanin]

Old people tend to think that the case is the actual PC, so you may only be restricted to budget and the desktop background of you and your siblings

[garbeth]

there are no stupid questions, hehehe its what linus always says and its true, if she want it a bit faster to open programs and running more efficient upgrade the RAM. because its just for web browsing the CPU not need to upgrade unless you fancy.

[ixi_your_face]

yea i tried explaining that but she doesn't want a new one she just wants hers to be faster... and shes paying so.

 

How much is she willing to pay?

[Guest]

Moved to RAm

[Levent]

actually ram makes the difference  i upgraded my moms cheap netbook's ram to 2GB (it was 1gb) and installed a bios that supports overclocking N270 to 2Ghz(stock 1.6ghz) she didnt noticed too much gain from overclocking but she says ram definitely made it was responsive and made apps run smoother (specially firefox[now thinking about it she needs to upgrade to chrome asap])

[Joshua]

Ram Makes the difference! The old 'family' computer downstairs had 1GB, upgraded it to 2.5GB and it seems a lot quicker than it did!

[Quaker]

my gram has a very old computer running DDR (2 x 512MB) .... should she upgrade her RAM to DDR2 (2 x 1GB) or upgrade her CPU to a core 2 duo/quad CPU socket is 775 LGA

 

I would think that upgrading the RAM would be best. 4Gigs would be better, but 2Gigs would help. In any case, a lot of her slowdown is probably the result of her Windows become bloated with junk the way it does.

Add the extra RAM, backup anything she wants to keep, and then do a re-format and re-install (or a re-install without a reformat if she has lots of hard drive space and you want to be sure not to delete anything important).

 

Even better, if she's willing to spend the money, and the drives in her system are SATA, put in an AMD APU, motherboard, and RAM.