[chakra62]

I know nothing, I don't know my RAM from my CPU but my Dell Dimension 5150 is a bit slow on the internet and running out of virtual memory (what ever that is). I have 2 children and at the moment we runs SIMS 2 which takes for ever to load up, otherwise just use it for surfing the net etc. We do though need to put Word and Excel on it at some stage.......do I upgrade (if so what with or do I buy a new computer (if so what)...any suggestions appreciated

[Mumbodog]

Sounds like it needs more memory to be installed, most of those 5150's are still good PC's that can run well if you have enough installed memory, which sounds like you don't have.

Call a reputable PC repair shop for an estimate to upgrade the memory to 1 gigabyte.

Should be allot cheaper than a new PC.

[flavallee]

chakra62:

What's the "service tag number" of that Dell Dimension 5150?

From what I can determine at this time, that desktop(both the 400 MHz FSB and 533 MHz FSB models) originally came with 512 MB of RAM, but supports up to 4096 MB(4 GB) of RAM. Increasing the RAM amount to 2048 MB(2 GB) would be a good move.

A 5-year old desktop has plenty of life left in it to run Windows XP. I'm writing to you right now from a 7-year old Gateway desktop.

----------------------------------------------------------------

[raybro]

Originally Posted by chakra62

We do though need to put Word and Excel on it

Just a suggestion about Word and Excel. If you decide to keep the computer, I suggest you checkout a FREE donwload called Open Office. It has a word processor program that does everything MS Word does, plus it can open any text document I know of (including Word *.doc documents). You can also save documents in Word format. It has a spread sheet program almost identical to Excel. It can also open and edit Excel (*.xls) documents. The price is right, too.

Raybro

[chakra62]

Thanks for all the info, really useful. Wasn't expecting to get up and find so many useful replies.
In answer to one reply it is a 504 MB RAM and 2.8 CPU(R).
thanks again

[Mumbodog]

You are welcome from all of us.

Welcome to TSG forums

[flavallee]

Originally Posted by chakra62

it is a 504 MB RAM and 2.8 CPU

I'm guessing it has a 2.8 GHz Intel Pentium IV processor. The processor is just fine for running Windows XP.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

If system properties is showing 504 MB of RAM, the other 8 MB is being dedicated to the on-board display adapter.

Besides being low on RAM, the on-board display adapter isn't sufficient, so you have 2 bottlenecks with playing SIMS 2 and other games.

If you can find an older PCI or AGP video card with 64 - 128 MB of video memory, that'll make a big difference in gaming video quality.

----------------------------------------------------------------