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Morgenmuffel

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#261819 16-Dec-2019 18:51
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Ok wifey has been grumbling that her computer an elderly DC7900 SFF is slow, its running whatever the current LTS version of Ubuntu is and it has 4GB of DDR2 ram I am assuming they are 4 1gb sticks, but I am not sure as i an not organised enough to check it when its not running.

 

This is the Spec page of what can go in it

 

I can find 2gb sticks for $6 each on trademe (from Recycle IT?), is it worth getting them, will it make that much of a difference?

 

I am not buying an SSD or anything ridiculous like that for this machine especially as i just got a big grumble about having to reinstall the OS etc if I was to get a newish second hand machine for her, If I was to get something like an SSD I'd probably get a newer small machine to put it in.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





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  #2376551 16-Dec-2019 19:16
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you can clone the HDD so you dont have to reinstall the OS. SSD will speed it up a bit


 
 
 
 

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Handle9
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  #2376560 16-Dec-2019 19:43
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The bottleneck won't be RAM - 4GB is relatively decent for the spec of machine. It's a Core 2 Duo with spinning rust.

 

Honestly just start again.


BarTender
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  #2376612 16-Dec-2019 20:12
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I have a similar machine running Windows 10.
With a SSD and 8GB of ram and it goes well enough.
But as otherwise have said purchasing a refurb i3 or i5 machine with 8gb of ram and then have a SSD and you will be fine.




Lias
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  #2376639 16-Dec-2019 21:42
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It all depends on budget and need.. assuming she's only doing internet/office stuff, that machine would be fine with the 8gb and a small SSD and is the cheapest option, but if you have the funds a newer box with an SSD would be better. 





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Varkk
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  #2376755 17-Dec-2019 08:50
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Just adding to the dogpile of get a relatively cheap SSD in there and clone the OS to it. That is the single biggest improvement to performance you can make for a PC. Failing that bump the budget up to get a second hand i5 with an SSD and about 8GB of RAM.


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  #2376768 17-Dec-2019 09:16
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$275 gets you board, 8GB, SSD, Athlon 200GE CPU - would be great little work box.

 

 





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  #2376788 17-Dec-2019 09:47
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HP's can sometimes be VERY fussy as to RAM .The RAM you buy may not be compatible

 

Yes its a old dual core PC, but still should run at a usuable speed with 4G RAM anyway.
What can  happen is some old HD's actually get slower over the years , to the point of being almost unusable . 
So its buy a SSD or retire it

retire it :-)

 

 

 

 


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