[Scott_P]

Hi, I'm upgrading my mums PC for her, well, installing more RAM, at the minute she has 3gb DDR2 400mhz and i'm planning to take the 1gb stick out and replace it with a 2gb...however all i can get hold of are 667 and 800mhz...can you mix and match the different RAM speeds on the same motherboard?

or will i need to replace all the RAM...

i'm also looking at putting an SSD into it, i've never used one before, are they all 2.5" or are they available at 3.5, so i install without an adaptor?

and finally, are there any things i've overlooked regarding getting a new SSD?

[flagpole]

you can mix speeds. it will just drop to the lowest speed usually.

you are aware that a 32bit OS will only see 3GB anyway.

they are all 2.5" or at least all the ones i have seen. come with an adaptor.

[max99]

What does she use it for and is she really going to benefit from an SSD?

What does she currently find slow?

[Scott_P]

Originally Posted by max99

What does she use it for and is she really going to benefit from an SSD?

What does she currently find slow?

Opening and using apps...she uses a lot of fairly heavyweight programs, booting the PC, general usage... although in all honestly a lot of it probably down to her user habits, you should see her web browser, about 60% of the screen is toolbars...

In general she feels that her PC isn't fast enough, however is on a budget, so wouldn't want to be swapping out the mobo / processor...so i thought a RAM upgrade and faster hard drive (along with some user education :P) should speed her machine up a bit

[mred2000]

Probably a clean up and a change of habits would speed things up. Worst case scenario a re-install of the OS... and a change of habits.

Heavyweight programs like what? I use 3D animation and drawing packages and have no probs with speed issues...

[Scott_P]

Originally Posted by mred2000

Probably a clean up and a change of habits would speed things up. Worst case scenario a re-install of the OS... and a change of habits.

Heavyweight programs like what? I use 3D animation and drawing packages and have no probs with speed issues...

Aye I was thinking format her existing hard drive anyway, install the OS back onto the new SDD, along with her most frequently used apps and try to get her to change her habits a bit (i did an audit of her PC last weekend, she has 292 applications installed :|)

she's into crafting, so uses a lot of photoshop, illustrator and various random crafting apps, all of which are massive memory hogs

[mred2000]

Photoshop and Illustrator aren't 'massive' memory hogs, unless you're not sure what you're doing and have set image/artboard sizes WAY too high and/or aren't doing any housekeeping...

I honestly think an SSD would be OTT and your Mum just needs to change her habits.

[Scott_P]

Originally Posted by mred2000

Photoshop and Illustrator aren't 'massive' memory hogs, unless you're not sure what you're doing and have set image/artboard sizes WAY too high and/or aren't doing any housekeeping...

I honestly think an SSD would be OTT and your Mum just needs to change her habits.

You're probably right, but does anyone really need an SSD? it's not really such a specialised piece of kit...other than fast boots and faster read times it doesn't really do much else lol.

Her PC is in severe need of housekeeping, but it's a full time job (which I already have, thank you very much, mum).

It blows my mind how someone who's used a PC for 20 years still has no idea how to use a PC properly.

[max99]

Giving her a faster machine will just mean she can load it up with even more crap. A clean OS install (or factory restore) and some disk imaging software would be more suitable. Next time things get too slow, just restore from the backup image. Also ensure that she has a decent backup routine.

[1saintly]

You still havent said what OS it uses?
Do you have the original dvd, and you may need a registration number?
Also no point in fitting new HD or Memory if the processor is dog slow?

[whoever,hey]

I really doubt an SSD will benefit her.

[RobinOfLoxley]

Upgrading 3GB to 4GB is completely pointless.

The computer can't be that old if it came with 3GB.
What is your Mum wanting that needs high performance?

Video and browsing should be fine.

Try running Ccleaner. Post back with more details or questions.