Which option is best for my computer?

Question

My mom has a Lenovo 3000 J115 (7387 Series) Desktop. Specs are:

-AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+
-1 GB RAM
-32 bit
-2.00 ghz
-Vista SP2, 32 bit OS

Problem: It is PAINFULLY slow. I've already gone through and eliminated startup items, did cleanings and defrag, etc. She has barely anything on it and just mainly uses it for Internet, and it takes so long just to load 1 page.

Question: What would be the best thing to do to speed up her machine for the least money?

A) Upgrade to 3 GB RAM (it says 32 bit only recognizes up to 3 GBs even though 4 can fit, according to crucial.com)

B) Upgrade her OS to 64 bit

C) Upgrade to Windows 7

D) Buy a whole new computer. (Hers is probably 3-5 years old, but seems brand new because she hardly uses it.)

Which option(s) would be most useful and cost efficient?

Thanks! :)

Answer 1

Choose A) Upgrade to 3GB RAM. First of all, OS's aren't inexpensive. Especially Windows 7. It may have a speedier core, but all the looks and transparent stuff and features are gonna weigh out the speedy core. Also, it costs over $100. I personally don't think it's worth to buy. It takes more space then it should. You should only consider upgrading to Windows 7 if you use your computer to download a heck lot of stuff.



On the other hand, a 3GB RAM could help speed up your computer. It doesn't take up space-it gives space unlike a OS.



A whole new computer isn't the best option.



So, you should upgrade your RAM. But if you use your computer for downloading things constantly, consider Windows 7.



I have a 10 year old computer and it works fine.

Answer 2

Well you should 1st upgrade the OS as Vista was not much of a success.

Windows 7 64 Bit would be the obvious pick.

If you could post us your motherboard details then we suggest a better CPU. Yours is still good for regular use but an upgrade would be better.

And yes getting more RAM would be essential for smooth operations. 4 GB should be great and Windows 7 64 Bit will utilize it to its best.

Now you said loading up internet pages is awfully slow, now that could be a problem caused by slow internet speeds.

You should look them up too. You would need at least 1 Mb/s of internet speed for smooth video streaming and web surfing.

I don't think you would need to upgrade the whole system if its just for web browsing and other light usage.

Answer 3

As far as internet goes I don't know that RAM will help enormously. It will help but I don't know how much.



This computer is single core?



Honestly I used my computer until the damn thing crapped out and wouldn't run anymore. Then I bought a dual core refurbished dell off of ebay for less than $300 dollars and was literally shocked at how much faster the computer was than my old one. It was like going from driving a datsun to a corvette.



If it were me - I'd get a new computer. If you don't have the money - get more RAM.

Answer 4

What does she use it for? If it's just web browsing and word processing and other simple things, I would install Ubuntu. Ubuntu boots and runs much faster.

Answer 5

best is that buy new laptop....