Is This System Any Good?

[Chriss]

Hi! I know nothing about computers. My current computer is from 2001, but the on board USB is dodgy, and it's starting to generally feel slow (if I click Bookmarks on Firefox and move down too much, it tries to add bookmarks!)

It's currently a 1.4Ghz with 500MB of RAM. It has a ATI Graphics card I only bought about 5 years ago. That's as much as I know about it.

Will that system last or is there a cheaper replacement system I'd be able to get? It it's graphics card as good as my one, or is it better?

Thanks in advance!
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TheShaggyDA: I've got 3 or 4 pairs that predate my wife, so at least 11.5 years old.

[WildGoose]

[neil.]

Or if you just want a day to day desktop workhorse, just shove Ubuntu or a lighter weight Linux distro on it to breathe new life into it. Windows does grind to a halt after being installed for a while.
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CBT February 2008 | A2 June 2008 | Yamaha YBR125 (written off) | Honda CBF125 (current)

[brooky]

To be fair though mate, he can't polish a turd
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Suzuki GSX-R 750 K6.

[Chriss]

Hi, I am running Ubuntu, switched over from Redhat a few years ago. Couldn't afford to upgrade for Windows XP . It's not so much the speed of the machine, more everything starting to break really (USB ports very tempremental, got a USB card, but it wiggles in and out, sound card's starting to crackle excessively, think the PCI slots are dodgy too, devices not being recognised), but would definatly like a slight upgrade.

I surf, play DVDs, listen to music and browse the net. Games I leave alone.
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TheShaggyDA: I've got 3 or 4 pairs that predate my wife, so at least 11.5 years old.

[Neorion]

I have a small form factor system going if your intrested in buying one?


I wont spam here so PM if your intrested, you dont seem far from me either.

Cheers
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VFR FI 2000- Shiney Red Thing
"some things man was never meant to know, for everything else there's Google"

[Seb]

Worth having a trawl round your local second hand shops if you want an upgrade on the cheap. Results may vary of course but I typically sell a tower literally double that spec, fully refurbished, licensed and warrantied for a smidge over 100 quid.

Can't stress it enough, if the machine isn't properly cleared and reinstalled before you buy it, be sure to get that done as a good chunk of PCs are sold purely because of the state the software on them is in.

Failing that, you could get your machine up to a reasonable pace, a clean install of XP and drivers, turn off all the visual effects that'll guzzle CPU cycles and use a light weight browser such as google's chrome inplace of Firefox or IE.
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2010 Triumph 1050 Sprint ST

[Phoenix]

Sounds pretty ancient, only slightly worse than mine, suprised your motherboards lasted that long if you use it lots, my last 2 went pop which forced upgrades.

Current system is an XP2000 512mb with ATI Radeon 9600pro (about 5years old too). It's once again ground to a total halt due to windows choking itself for no real reason as I keep it in good shape but it has been about 4years since the last reinstall now and there just isn't any point doing it again as the whole thing is a relic now.

Just spent a week looking whats what as my computer knowledge when it comes to current CPUS/Motherboards/Graphics is also only of historical use, ended up ordering a new Dell XPS 430 Q8200 w/DDR3 RAM inc 22" monitor lastweek for £580 only downside is the Radeon 4670 graphics but they can be updated if necessary and I imagine will do me for a long while considering the state of my current system. You can have my old one if you want, reinstall and it'll be fine, though I have to run it with the case off otherwise it overheats

[Chriss]

Honestly, I cannot be doing with having to learn a new OS, so I'll stick with Ubuntu. Don't really want to have to learn XP/Vista/Premium/Home/Economy.

I also have the hard drives, as I've 500GB over 3 hard drives, there's no point wasting those.

This is the other thing, my computer over heats if I have the case on, hence it's kept off which annoys me too.
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TheShaggyDA: I've got 3 or 4 pairs that predate my wife, so at least 11.5 years old.

[Chriss]