How to improve this pc?

[stuartw101]

I have a new one now but im giving it to my younger brother so he can use it to play educational games and using the internet. The specs are:

Fujitsu Siemens
Intel Celeron 1.4ghz
20gb hard drive
128mb SDRAM
Intergrated graphics
CDRW Drive
Windows XP Pro

I think they are the main specs you need to know. The only thing i can really think of doing is upgrading the RAM maybe buying an extra 512mb SD RAM? Will blowing any dust inside the pc doing any good?

Anything else i can do? Dont say throw it away it works perfectly but is obviously a little slow, i want to spend the least amount of money on upgrading it for the best possible improvements.

Thanks

Stuart

 

[Me__2001]

swap the RAM for a 512MB stick, if he's only playing games that are not very graphics intensive then he'll be fine but he'll need a new graphics card if he starts playing newer games

 

[KingArtur]

I think you'd better to get RAM 512 mb, new Video card (I prefer Radeon 9600pro or earlier). And HDD would be more imbeddable (40 Gb as minimum)

 

[stuartw101]

the pc is starting to sound a little noisey, not sure exactly what is making then oise but if i clean all the dust out will that help?

 

[Me__2001]

give the fans a clean, dust has probably clogged them up, clean anything that is dusty

 

[stuartw101]

should i just blow the dust out or is there anything else i can use that will do a better job? Also do i have to take the fan out?

 

[V_R]

Use a air duster, or maybe a hoover if your careful! shouldn't need to take the fan out.

 

[stuartw101]

Here is the spec of the pc

Windows XP Professional (build 2600) FUJITSU SIEMENS D1370
Enclosure Type: Mini-Tower
Processor a Main Circuit Board b
1.30 gigahertz Intel Celeron
32 kilobyte primary memory cache
256 kilobyte secondary memory cache Board: FUJITSU SIEMENS D1370 S26361-D1370
Serial Number: 09855368
Bus Clock: 100 megahertz
BIOS: FUJITSU SIEMENS // Phoenix Technologies Ltd. 4.06 Rev. 1.02.1370 07/16/2002
Drives Memory Modules c,d
20.48 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
16.53 Gigabytes Hard Drive Free Space

HL-DT-ST DVD-ROM GDR8161B [CD-ROM drive]
SONY CD-RW CRX230E [CD-ROM drive]
3.5" format removeable media [Floppy drive]

Maxtor 2B020H1 [Hard drive] (20.49 GB) -- drive 0, s/n B1LGLWKE, rev WAK21R90, SMART Status: Healthy 128 Megabytes Installed Memory

Slot 'DIMM-1' has 128 MB
Slot 'DIMM-2' is Empty
Local Drive Volumes


c: (NTFS on drive 0) 20.48 GB 16.53 GB free
Network Drives
None detected
Users (mouse over user name for details) Printers
local user accounts last logon
Admin 01/08/2005 14:51:56 (admin)
local system accounts
Administrator never (admin)
Guest 03/06/2005 16:26:51
HelpAssistant never
SUPPORT_388945a0 never

DISABLED Marks a disabled account; LOCKED OUT Marks a locked account
None detected
Controllers Display
Standard floppy disk controller
Intel(r) 82801BA Bus Master IDE Controller
Primary IDE Channel [Controller]
Secondary IDE Channel [Controller] Intel(r) 82810E Graphics Controller [Display adapter]
Maxdata B103026 [Monitor] (15.7"vis, s/n 440AS01405937, October 2004)
Bus Adapters Multimedia
Intel(r) 82801BA/BAM USB Universal Host Controller - 2442
Intel(r) 82801BA/BAM USB Universal Host Controller - 2444 Intel(r) 82801BA/BAM AC'97 Audio Controller

 

[Me__2001]

if hes not planning to be installing loads of programs then the 16GB of free space will be fine, remove the 128MB of RAM and swap it for a 512MB stick, if he wants to be playing some graphic intensive games a graphics card wouldn't be a bad idea, a 9600 of some sort would be suitable for most games that are a couple of years old, the newer games will be playable but only on the default or lower settings

 

[Raje]

not much more than MEM needed.

Ever think about upgrading the cpu, probably not neccesary but thier is little else to be done as far as upgrading. Though sounds like you'll be fine with a good cleaning(to clean i use a can of air and a small vacume) Possibly a second hardrive and the extra stick of ram.

 

[stuartw101]

if hes not planning to be installing loads of programs then the 16GB of free space will be fine, remove the 128MB of RAM and swap it for a 512MB stick, if he wants to be playing some graphic intensive games a graphics card wouldn't be a bad idea, a 9600 of some sort would be suitable for most games that are a couple of years old, the newer games will be playable but only on the default or lower settings

cant i have the exsisting ram with the new ram together? also i cant seem to find PC133 SDRAM for less than £50 any ideas?

Also you say for graphics card, lowe the settings, how would you do this with a graphics card?

 

[Me__2001]

i didn't realise that PC133 was so expensive, if you dont wanna spend that much then get another 128MB stick and the one you have will help things out

 

[stuartw101]

i have found 512mb from aria for £35 but whether or not is ok.

 

[Me__2001]

as long as it is a reasonable make and is 168-pin then you'll be fine

 

[stuartw101]

It is here. The one near the bottom.

HERE

What do you think?

 

[Me__2001]

if you dont mind the fact its generic RAM then it will be fine, if you still have the manual for the PC it may be worth checking to see if it says how much RAM it will support

 

[stuartw101]

what do you mean by generic? whats wrong with that?

 

[Me__2001]

its a no name brand, theres nothing wrong with it but theres no manufacturer to claim warranty from

 

[muckshifter]

Your Statutory rights give you 12 months warrantee ...

 

[Clausi]

now did the 512MB-Stick work on your board?

I got the same board and would just like to know if a 512MB-Stick works with it.

Thank you for a reply!!