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tigerlady
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Joined: 17 Mar 2008
Posts: 7
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# Posted: 23 Apr 2008 12:48
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I have a Dell dimension 2350 that i bought brand new 6 years ago..it has an Intel Celeron Proccessor at 1.80GHz, 256MG RAM and 30GB hard drive..i also have the boring old 16 in clunky computer screen (would love flat screen..takes up less space!) would it be better to upgrade my computer as the job i want requires more hard drive space and more RAM or invest in a whole new computer? i dont know how to buy new hardware so if someone can please guide me as to where the best place to buy and questions to ask i would be ever so grateful..thank you!! 
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pcwork
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Joined: 12 Aug 2006
Posts: 1448
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# Posted: 23 Apr 2008 20:45
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It would be better to get a completely new system
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otiose
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Joined: 17 Apr 2008
Posts: 18
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# Posted: 23 Apr 2008 22:43 � Edited by: otiose
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Let me give you some cogent reasons for the replacement option.
As a rough guide any PC beyond 4 to 5 years old maximum, is not worth spending money on, given the cost of replacement systems.
Nothing lasts forever...your mirror will confirm that.
So the older a PC the more compromised it is in terms of general deterioration. Its bits are already in decline.
Your PC has endured countless power fluctuations which play merry hell with internal bits. The power supply unit (PSU) in the rear of your PC is a transformer. It outputs 5v and 12v to the bits'n'chips.
Now, if the PSU has endured one surge too many its output is often beyond the 10% tolerances allowed by the parts makers.
Inevitable damage to various bits is the result.
Surge protector? Ha. Prison cells have got locks on and yet... Similarly, surge protectors are rated for x surges. Trouble is the makers don't tell you what the 'x' number is, and that varies between makers, anyway!
Continuous expansion/contraction as the PC reaches operating temperature causes hairline cracks to appear in solder -- that affects current flow and therefore performance.
Dust sucked in covers internal components, which acts as a sort of insulation. Therefore, they tend to overheat to an extent.
And, once again, that causes heat-stress and places strains on various bits beyond the tolerances for which they were designed.
You don't say what operating system you're running but whereas 256Mb of RAM is OK for Windows 98, it will cripple XP's performance and be totally unsuitable for Vista.
So adding more RAM and/or a larger-capacity hard drive is really not cost-effective on the older PCs.
Do the sums.
The cost of those bits + the hourly rate to have them installed and setup versus replacement = a sow's ear that will never be a silk purse, regardless of how much money you throw at it. 
This is exactly the same advice I give folks when I visit their homes to treat their sick PCs.
So often the cost of treatment is dead money when compared with the cost of replacement.
There's a point at which a cheetah abandons the chase if its prey has been elusive. It knows there's a point at which the energy expended won't be replaced by the meat caught.
It knows when to stop and walk away.
From what you wrote you're in exactly that same position.
Max
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wunderlist
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Joined: 24 Apr 2008
Posts: 4
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# Posted: 24 Apr 2008 09:54
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hi ,
As a Pc engineer , I would advise to get a new pc , you can get some great deals at the moment , you already have a dell why not check out thier website . quite often they do special deals .
or just check out your local pc dealership . but make a list of requirements before you go and dont just buy the first thing they offer you
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GavinStephenson
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Joined: 24 Apr 2008
Posts: 75
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# Posted: 26 Apr 2008 21:26
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Yes Yes Yes. I would Advice you just get a new PC.
Less Stress/Hassle
Cheaper
and You Get a brand new shiny machine lol
For real though. you will spend more time replace old hardware and hiring people to put in in for you.
Make Sure they dont try and sell you a crappy PC bring someone with you that know computers..
Take Care
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Newbie Shield
Preferred Member
Joined: 22 Sep 2007
Posts: 1014
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# Posted: 29 Apr 2008 08:34
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I would definitely get a new PC.
You can keep your old system in case your new system ever goes down and you can back up your critical files on to your old system.
I think that you meant to say "flat panel" as in LCD. "Flat screen" actually means a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube (aka tube)) with a flat front.
This time around, I would recommend a Pentium core 2 duo chip rather than a Celeron.
I would also get at least 2 gigs of memory.
I would get a 22" LCD. That's right before the big price jump. I would look for the spot right before the big price jump with the video card and the hard drive (around 160 gigs) as well. Make sure that you get a DVD RW (Read and Write) drive.
Be sure to save the restore disc that comes with the system.
I would go with a desktop system rather than a laptop unless you need portability or need to conserve space.
The above specs would run a bit expensive for most folks but it is well worth it if you can afford it.
On the other hand, you could purchase a low end system and it would run faster than your current system. Furthermore, the parts would all be new. I wouldn't buy a used system.
You never know how well a person has taken care of it or when the used parts will fail. An exception to this would be if you know and trust the person selling the system.
Good luck :)
~Newbie Shield~
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piggybanker
Preferred Member
Joined: 14 Jan 2006
Posts: 80
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# Posted: 29 Apr 2008 10:27
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Hi Tigerlady,
Not only would I recommend replacing but I just finished a class that discussed whether you should select a low end, med end, or high end model.
It surprised me to find that the book and instructor said that the high end model would perform the best and for the longest period of time.
I remember the first computer I bought was obsolete within a year and I spent a bunch of money upgrading only to find out it wasn't going to perform for me.
The next computer I bought was closer to med end model and it lasted about 2 years.
The last computer I bought was a high end model and it cost half as much as the first computer I ever bought and it's still holding its own after 4 years.
With the speed of technology advancing so fast, I certainly couldn't see anyone buying a $299 eMachine when for a few hundred more you can get a high end model with all the lights, bells, and whistles that you're looking for in your computer.
Best wishes
Michael
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Casper
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Joined: 27 Aug 2007
Posts: 201
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# Posted: 29 Apr 2008 11:47
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I bought my PC in 2004 which consisted of:
P4 3.2GHz, 512 Ram & a 80gb hard drive plus a 128mb ATI video card:
I decided too upgrade last year & I replace all the parts inside my original PC & now I have:
Extra 2gbs ram, a new 320gb hard drive & a 256mb ATI video card & games run like a dream on my system. So I guess you could always upgrade the parts inside your original system.
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