Update parent's computer?

**Oscar99** · 18th January 2012 06:09 PM

My parent's computer is slower than a turtle.

It has a 3.2 GHz Celeron processor
1.43 gigs of ram, which is the max.

can I buy a faster chip for this thing?

thanks.

**Koios** · 18th January 2012 06:10 PM

Originally Posted by Oscar99

My parent's computer is slower than a turtle.

It has a 3.2 GHz Celeron processor
1.43 gigs of ram, which is the max.

can I buy a faster chip for this thing?

thanks.

Sure. But replace the mainboard at the same time.

Edit: new memory, too, I'm thinking.

**aboutenough** · 18th January 2012 09:32 PM

Are you sure thats all the ram you can put in that computer? I have a Dell 3gig processor that will take up to 3 gigs of ram. i am running 2.25 gigs now and it moves along ok. It shouldn't even run that slow with your current set up. Do you have Spybot search and Destroy on that computer. If you don't you can install it for free and clean all the adware and spam off that thing. That could be most of your problem right there. The home of Spybot-S&D!

**Bluegrass** · 19th January 2012 08:17 AM

Originally Posted by Oscar99

My parent's computer is slower than a turtle.

It has a 3.2 GHz Celeron processor
1.43 gigs of ram, which is the max.

can I buy a faster chip for this thing?

thanks.

I don't know. It may be better to get a new computer for the price, and something that can be upgraded.

My parents were running a terrible old Gateway with a Celeron and 1.5 gigs of old ram. Your parent's computer could still be running DIMMs or DDR2 ram, and a new setup would have DDR3.

I would suggest checking out Tiger Direct and seeing if it would be worth it to upgrade the processor by comparing it to a new setup altogether. Chances are, it won't.

**Djinn** · 19th January 2012 08:23 AM

Originally Posted by Oscar99

My parent's computer is slower than a turtle.

It has a 3.2 GHz Celeron processor
1.43 gigs of ram, which is the max.

can I buy a faster chip for this thing?

thanks.

Don't do it. Don't do it. Don't do it. Don't do it.

Upgrading an antique like that will do nothing but cause you headaches. If your parents are seriously interested, then they need to invest in a new computer. At that time, give 'em a hand. For their own purposes, go with a computer with an Intel i3 processor. If you'll be using it regularly, go for an i5. Either way, go with 4GB of RAM - that's more than enough for "things your parents do with computers."

Assuming you don't live with your parents, install TeamViewer on the new computer, and set it up with a permanent password. That will allow you to connect to the computer remotely to fix things. Worthy of note - TeamViewer does not require ANY messing with firewalls or ports.

**Inkslinger** · 19th January 2012 08:35 AM

Originally Posted by Oscar99

My parent's computer is slower than a turtle.

It has a 3.2 GHz Celeron processor
1.43 gigs of ram, which is the max.

can I buy a faster chip for this thing?

thanks.

What Djiin said!
For the money, you can't beat these.

H67 Core i5/i7 Configurator $649• Intel Sandy Bridge Core™ i5-2300
• FREE Liquid CPU Cooling
• 4GB DDR3 1333 Memory
• CPU Integrated 3D Graphics
• 1TB SATA-III 7200rpm HDD
• 24X Double Layer DV DVD+/-RW

$649

IbuyPower

**Bluegrass** · 19th January 2012 08:40 AM

Originally Posted by Inkslinger

What Djiin said!
For the money, you can't beat these.

H67 Core i5/i7 Configurator $649• Intel Sandy Bridge Core™ i5-2300
• FREE Liquid CPU Cooling
• 4GB DDR3 1333 Memory
• CPU Integrated 3D Graphics
• 1TB SATA-III 7200rpm HDD
• 24X Double Layer DV DVD+/-RW

$649

IbuyPower

A Sandy Bridge with all the bells and whistles for $649? That's a great deal.

**Devil505** · 19th January 2012 08:44 AM

I just got a new EMachines desktop at Walmart for under $300.00

**Tedminator** · 19th January 2012 08:48 AM

What Djinn said.

@Oscar99 whats your monetary/time budget for this project?
can build a decent system for under $500.. try newegg.com

**Bluegrass** · 19th January 2012 08:50 AM

Originally Posted by Djinn

Don't do it. Don't do it. Don't do it. Don't do it.

Upgrading an antique like that will do nothing but cause you headaches. If your parents are seriously interested, then they need to invest in a new computer. At that time, give 'em a hand. For their own purposes, go with a computer with an Intel i3 processor. If you'll be using it regularly, go for an i5. Either way, go with 4GB of RAM - that's more than enough for "things your parents do with computers."

Assuming you don't live with your parents, install TeamViewer on the new computer, and set it up with a permanent password. That will allow you to connect to the computer remotely to fix things. Worthy of note - TeamViewer does not require ANY messing with firewalls or ports.

That's a good idea about TeamViewer. I get a lot of calls from my parents about "what's this window popping up" and such. Around Christmas, I ordered them a new laptop from Tiger Direct- it's an Acer TimelineX with an i5 processor, 4 gb DDR3 and intel HD 3000 graphics for $450. It's a great deal for something that will last longer than that TERRIBLE e-machines they purchased a few years back. I cringed when they told me what they bought.