How to improve my PC performance? [HARDWARE]

[squeeish]

Since you seem interested in updating to the 64 bit version of Windows 7, take the chance to do a fresh new install on your PC. This clears out any virus, malware and crap on your PC at the same time. That's the first thing I'd do.

Upgrading to 64 bit will allow you to use your entire 4GB of RAM instead of only 3.5GB right now.

The next thing I'd do is to get either more RAM, or an SSD.

 

[keroro]

things to improve performance:

1. reformat (or defrag ur hdd)
- if you decide to reformat, you should reinstall to 64bit os to fully utilize the 4gb ram u have.

2. get an ssd (will improve ur boot up speed and application loading)

 

[bornerwave]

actually 4Gb is quite decent for regular normal PC usage(even for gaming)

for an upgrade, i would suggest an SSD instead.... if your games are lagging then u have to upgrade that super weak graphics card too

i would like to upgrade my graphic card , but the problem is, i do not know how to install and i do not know if my motherboard has the appropriate PCI slot for it

 

[bornerwave]

I don't know about TP, but for my old school, SP, even after I've graduated I'm still able to use the free software, including operating systems. I believe it should be the same for TP.

Anyway, to check:

1.Open Performance Information and Tools: Clicking the Start button and then click Control Panel. In the search box, type Performance Information and Tools, and then, in the list of results, click Performance Information and Tools
2.Click View and print details
3.In the System section, you can see whether or not you can run a 64-bit version of Windows under 64-bit capable

most PCS are already 64bit ready since the athlon 64 days so no worries about installing 64bit on your system

erh for once activated, you shouldnt worry, the license wun expire, and u have up to 24 mths access to the serial key should u require to reformat or something

things to improve performance:

1. reformat (or defrag ur hdd)
- if you decide to reformat, you should reinstall to 64bit os to fully utilize the 4gb ram u have.

2. get an ssd (will improve ur boot up speed and application loading)

Since you seem interested in updating to the 64 bit version of Windows 7, take the chance to do a fresh new install on your PC. This clears out any virus, malware and crap on your PC at the same time. That's the first thing I'd do.

Upgrading to 64 bit will allow you to use your entire 4GB of RAM instead of only 3.5GB right now.

The next thing I'd do is to get either more RAM, or an SSD.

wow thanks alot guys , yup its 64 bit capable according to what i just checked. Since you guys say the license wun expire, i shall do a clean reinstall then, but i have another problem , sorry :X , i do not know how to do a fresh reformat of my harddisk... i only have one hard disk and they do not allow me to format it as the files of the OS are still inside. And does anyone know the length of my RAM by chance? so that it can reduce the risk of me buying the wrong ram by chance...

 

[ragnarok95]

You are using a HP Pavilion P6500 series PC.

It has 4 memory slots. You can upgrade your memory. Just get any DDR3 1066Mhz rams.

It also have a pci-e x16 slot. It is the long black slot. Only one. You take out your graphic card and replace with another of your choice. However, it is using a 250W power supply.

And YES, you pc can support 64 bits.

 

[bornerwave]

You are using a HP Pavilion P6500 series PC.

It has 4 memory slots. You can upgrade your memory. Just get any DDR3 1066Mhz rams.

It also have a pci-e x16 slot. It is the long black slot. Only one. You take out your graphic card and replace with another of your choice. However, it is using a 250W power supply.

And YES, you pc can support 64 bits.

WHAT?! 250W POWER SUPPLY? D: hmmm , can i change to a GTX? like a 660 or something

 

[bornerwave]

You are using a HP Pavilion P6500 series PC.

It has 4 memory slots. You can upgrade your memory. Just get any DDR3 1066Mhz rams.

It also have a pci-e x16 slot. It is the long black slot. Only one. You take out your graphic card and replace with another of your choice. However, it is using a 250W power supply.

And YES, you pc can support 64 bits.

and i do have quite a lot of brochures from Sim lim square , the rams i see are all 1333Mhz,1600Mhz,2133Mhz, theres no 1066Mhz

 

[Elijahonli]

WHAT?! 250W POWER SUPPLY? D: hmmm , can i change to a GTX? like a 660 or something

with a 250w psu... its impossible to get a gtx660 might want to save up to invest in a better power supply as well

 

[Elijahonli]

and i do have quite a lot of brochures from Sim lim square , the rams i see are all 1333Mhz,1600Mhz,2133Mhz, theres no 1066Mhz

i think u get get those 1333mhz ram, they will work in 1066mhz mode

 

[bornerwave]

with a 250w psu... its impossible to get a gtx660 might want to save up to invest in a better power supply as well

yea , minimum power supply is 450w... i might as well get a 550w or smth , which is a 100 bucks, with the graphic card its another 600bucks , sighhh

 

[bornerwave]

i think u get get those 1333mhz ram, they will work in 1066mhz mode

ahh i see , any specific model to recommend? i just need another 4gb or so haha

 

[bornerwave]

here is the specs of my ram for you guys , just in case

 

[hoven00]

I think 3.5GB of ram is just enough for normal usage and casual gaming, especially if you're on a tight budget. Depending on what kind of games you play and the resolution you don't need a $600 gpu. And given your current 250w I don't think it is enough for any medium-high end video card.
An SSD is the best bet IMO, improves booting and loading time, but you won't see any increase in fps in games.

 

[eriolmoon2008]

What's the motherboard spec? it's impt to know the motherboard interface before u want to upgrade or anything.(whether they can handle the component spec)

 

[ragnarok95]

What's the motherboard spec? it's impt to know the motherboard interface before u want to upgrade or anything.(whether they can handle the component spec)

It's a MSI made mobo, H57. Highest cpu it can support is core i7 8XX. Memory support is max 16GB, 4GB max on each dimm slot. Support DDR3 1333 max. But should not have problem with a DDR3 1600 since it will downclock...at least, mine didn't give any.

1x Pci-e X16 slot and 3x pci-s 1X slots.

 

[bornerwave]

I think 3.5GB of ram is just enough for normal usage and casual gaming, especially if you're on a tight budget. Depending on what kind of games you play and the resolution you don't need a $600 gpu. And given your current 250w I don't think it is enough for any medium-high end video card.
An SSD is the best bet IMO, improves booting and loading time, but you won't see any increase in fps in games.

will increasing the ram improve a game fps? or is it solely based on graphic card

 

[bornerwave]

It's a MSI made mobo, H57. Highest cpu it can support is core i7 8XX. Memory support is max 16GB, 4GB max on each dimm slot. Support DDR3 1333 max. But should not have problem with a DDR3 1600 since it will downclock...at least, mine didn't give any.

1x Pci-e X16 slot and 3x pci-s 1X slots.

What's the motherboard spec? it's impt to know the motherboard interface before u want to upgrade or anything.(whether they can handle the component spec)

well its a MSI 2A9C according to the CPU-ID/CPU-Z program... I cant really find a proper picture of the motherboard unless I open my CPU casing up. But heres what i found online

MSI 2A9C (1.0) Motherboard Specifications.


CPU

Support Socket: LGA1156.

(Lynnfield core) Intel Core i7, i5

(Clarkdale core) Intel Core i5, i3

Chipset
Intel H57
Video
Intel HD
Memory
4 * 240-pin DDR3 DIMM slots Supports Dual Channel DDR3 1333/ 1066MHz non-ECC , un-buffered memory (Max 16GB)
Expansion Slots
1 * PCI Express x16 (2.0)
3 * PCI Express x1 (2.0)
1 * PCI Express x1 minicard socket
Storage
4 * SATA II 3Gb/s connectors
Audio
Realtek ALC888S – High Definition
Ethernet
Realtek RTL8111 Gigabit – 10/100/1000Mb/s
Rear Panel
1 x DVI port
1 x VGA port
1 x S/PDIF
1 x Audio I/O
1 x RJ45 LAN Port
6 x USB 2.0 Ports
1 x IEEE 1394 FireWire
Internal
1 * 4-pin CPU Fan connector
1 * 3-pin SYS Rear Fan connector
1 * 4-pin ATX 12V Power connector
1 * 24-pin ATX Power connector
4 * headers to support USB media reader
1 * Front Audio header
1 * Front Panel header
2 * USB headers
BIOS

Form Factor
Micro-ATX
MSI 2A9C (1.1) Support: Win 7, Vista/Xp (32/64bit)


Credits to MSI 2A9C Mainboard Specs

 

[bornerwave]

heres the motherboard specs i think..

 

[bornerwave]

bump bump bump bump

 

[tony_ong]

will increasing the ram improve a game fps? or is it solely based on graphic card

fps relies on the graphic card. RAM is for the holding of temporary files.