Need computer help

Becuase my teaching load will be reduced next semester I will not be making as much money, meaning that I won't have the money to buy a new, improved computer. But I will have about $400 that I could use for upgrades or improvements. The main thing that I am looking for is better processing speed so that I can get the information I need on high traffic sites on high traffic days (i.e. election night). Any suggestions?

A faster processor isn't going to help you with slow websites, that's the problem of the computer on the other end. Do you only surf the web and use word processing and the like? Also what is your current computer specs?

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

That's about all you need. Use the money to subsidize a cable connection if you don't have it. If you are low on hard drive space pick up a cheap spare. That should do it even with a crappy Pentium I.

unless the one you have now is inadequate (like under 300 mhz or so)

The processor may only improve the display of some flash and other animations somewhat, not how quickly the main content loads.

If you don't have a cable connection, invest in that, next would be upgrading your ram to a respectable 512, and lastly, if your current processor is under 600mhz, an upgrade would be great fun. :)
Here's one decent link for that: http://www.powerleap.com/

I have a Pentium 4, 1.6 GhZ, 256 MB of RAM and a 40 GB hard drive that is about 40% full. I'm thinking of upgrading to 512MB.

Upgrade the RAM, clean your temp files and defrag often, and upgrade to 512.

I use a PIII with 850Mhz, 40GB HD and 256Mb RAM (upgrading the RAM soon) with Win XP, and my other computer is a PII, 350Mhz, 10Mb HD running Win '98. Both work fine for me.

Make sure you are not running too many programs and do a thorough cleaning often.

If in doubt, go to this site:

http://www.pcpitstop.com

They will test your system and give recommendations.

I think your system will work well for at least a few years. I would get a broadband connection, in case you don't already have one.

You have a good computer.

Do the RAM upgrade, check what items are starting up with windows, defrag the drive, make sure your virus definitions are up-to-date, and do a daily scan.

As far as internet connectivity goes, you'll have to bite the bullet and go with a cable modem.

But get at least a 4 port router too, just for the firewall.

The extra RAM will be nice, but unless you use processor intensive software, you'll be wasting yer money.
That said, head over to the Hot Deals forum at AnandTech and check for deals:
http://forums.anandtech.com/categories.cfm?catid=40

I picked up a 256mb stick of DDR Ram at Office Depot that was only $5 after rebates.

If you *need* to spend the money, I'd look into getting another hard drive and/or a DVD burner.
You can easily find 160GB HD for under $100 deals and DVDR+/- drives are dropping like bricks... you could find a 4x drive for under $150.

If you *really* want to replace your processor find out the make of the mother board and look up its specs at manufacturers site online.
They will tell you the range of processors it supports.
You *might* be maxed out at 1.6(but probably not).

If you aren't using XP, I'd consider upgrading to that as well.
In fact, a clean install of XP on a new hard drive would undoubtedly *feel* much quicker.
If you are already using XP look around for XP optimization sites.
You can speed up your computer simply by turning off the bells and whistles.
Other than that, just defrag regularly and keep up-to-date on MS patches and upgrades.

(and of course always, always... virus protection and firewall.)

To perhaps speed up your browsing experience you might want to try out the Mozilla/Firebird browser.

Mojo

here's what I would do:

Search up my thread on what t do, with maintenance software, to speed up your machine. My technique works, and is mostly free software.

Up ram to 512. Get Xteq XSetup and set some of the performance settings in your computer. It works like a charm, but it takes some learning. They have good tutorials.

Get another hard drive and make it your D: drive. Move your swap over to the D: drive. This REALLY speeds things up!

If you have any other questions, just ask. as always, I am glad to be of some modest help.

I have a partitioned drive. How do I move the swap file?

How does this speed things up?

PS - (on edit) - I used some of the tips you posted the other day. Worked great! Thanks.

//I have a partitioned drive. How do I move the swap file?//
In XP, right click on "My Computer/Properties".
Click the "Advanced" tab.
Click "Performance".
Under Virtual Memory click "Change".
Highlight your non-system partition, tick "system managed size".
Leave it at default until you understand more.
Reboot.

//How does this speed things up?//
IIRC, by putting your swap file on another drive the OS can access it at the same time as it is executing a program on the primrary drive.

Putting it on another partition will only help it not get fragmented.
Which will speed it up, so this is a good thing.

//I used some of the tips you posted the other day.//
I'm always up for new tips... link?

Mojo

//Search up my thread on what t do, with maintenance software, to speed up your machine. My technique works, and is mostly free software.//
Can someone post this for those of us without search function?

Thanks

Mojo

spread your swap over two drives.

Failing that, buy a better monitor with faster refresh ie. 85 hz or higher. Saves headaches.

:kick:

Because we all need good computer advice!

buy a new computer. Was in at Sams Warehouse today, and they had a 'puter complete with moniter for $469.00. It was a P4 2500 with 512mb DDR memory, and a 40gb hard drive.

As cheap as new machines are, it's no big deal to get a brand new screaming beastie. Go for it!