Just got a new computer. Need to upgrade video and memory

[cmf21]

Just bought a cheap Lenovo M58 (7244-a35) desktop. Comes with an e6600 processor and only has 2gb of memory and intergrated 4500 video. I'm planning on installing the 64 bit verison of Win 7 over the 32bit and would like to get at least 8gb of memory and a new video card to replace the junk built in one.

Any suggestions without spending a fortune and is future proof for a while? How fast of memory should I be looking for and what video card should I consider that's fairly new and can play a few games if I wanted.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

DDR3 1333 2x2gb RAM + 6770 ?

 

[Slugbait]

I've never seen anyone future-proof an antique. But I digress...

Video card choice is slim: performance cards won't fit, and your PSU can't handle one anyway...which is actually a good thing, since you won't get close to the full performance of any current card in that ancient PCI-e slot. Makes it a no-brainer to go cheap as possible. Maybe an HD2600 or something.

I'm guessing you have two RAM slots, and both are occupied...so that's more garbage to throw out if you wanna upgrade to 8 gigs, and again, your choices are slim (two, actually). Best of the two would be the Ripjaws: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231308

If you have two RAM slots, but only one is occupied with a 2G stick, I'd just get a second stick for $13: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820148149 and then stop there...don't install 64-bit, don't get a new video card. You're just wasting money, and you'd be wasting a lot of time installing a new OS.

 

[Hubb1e]

Slugbait, even PCI-e 1.0 at x16 is plenty for today's cards. It's the same as x8 PCI-e 2.0 and tests have shown only very slight performance loss on high end cards. His brand new antique won't support a card that requires extra power so he's stuck with a 7750 or lower.

I'd suggest you give it to your grandma and forget trying to turn it into a gaming PC. The Intel graphics and dual core cpu are just fine for web browsing and light flash gaming, but as a gaming PC it is already outclassed by a $50 Sandy based Celeron on a $50 motherboard.

 

[VirtualLarry]

There's nothing wrong with upgrading a lower-spec machine.

I had a friend with a single-core S939 rig, with a 6150 (SE?) onboard graphics, and 1GB of DDR.

I gave him 2x1GB DDR sticks, and a PCI-E 8400GS video card, and he said it's like a new machine.

There's a lot to be said to re-purpose a machine with some RAM and a video card, especially if it shipped with onboard video. If nothing else, it will def. increase the longevity of the machine, and keep it out of the landfill for another few years (possibly).

I say the OP should def. do this.

Look at HD6670 video cards, and check if the mobo in that machine accepts DDR3 memory. If it does, then you certainly have at least two slots, so you could upgrade with a 2x4GB DDR3-1333 kit. Go for the Win7 64-bit upgrade too. Should be able to re-install, using 64-bit install media of the same edition that is on there, and re-use the key on the chassis. You shouldn't have to buy a new copy of Windows.

Edit:
Is this the one? Looks like a standard OEM tower, not a slimline case.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Lenovo-Thi...luded/20462143

 

[krnmastersgt]

There's nothing wrong with upgrading a lower-spec machine.

I had a friend with a single-core S939 rig, with a 6150 (SE?) onboard graphics, and 1GB of DDR.

I gave him 2x1GB DDR sticks, and a PCI-E 8400GS video card, and he said it's like a new machine.

There's a lot to be said to re-purpose a machine with some RAM and a video card, especially if it shipped with onboard video. If nothing else, it will def. increase the longevity of the machine, and keep it out of the landfill for another few years (possibly).

I say the OP should def. do this.

Look at HD6670 video cards, and check if the mobo in that machine accepts DDR3 memory. If it does, then you certainly have at least two slots, so you could upgrade with a 2x4GB DDR3-1333 kit. Go for the Win7 64-bit upgrade too. Should be able to re-install, using 64-bit install media of the same edition that is on there, and re-use the key on the chassis. You shouldn't have to buy a new copy of Windows.

Edit:
Is this the one? Looks like a standard OEM tower, not a slimline case.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Lenovo-Thi...luded/20462143

I've kept systems up and running this way for a while for people. Often times they'll say they feel they need an upgrade and that's really just a response to increased multi-tasking and more resource hungry programs. Often times programs just slowly start using more and more, so more memory actually goes a long way.

Also OP: The frequency of the ram matters very little for most applications compared to the sheer capacity.

Not sure if I'd agree with Larry on adding 8 GB of Ram and getting a new OS due to the age of the platform but that's just my opinion.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

I've kept systems up and running this way for a while for people. Often times they'll say they feel they need an upgrade and that's really just a response to increased multi-tasking and more resource hungry programs. Often times programs just slowly start using more and more, so more memory actually goes a long way.

Also OP: The frequency of the ram matters very little for most applications compared to the sheer capacity.

Not sure if I'd agree with Larry on adding 8 GB of Ram and getting a new OS due to the age of the platform but that's just my opinion.

Adding the extra ram will help him be able to carry over to his next build.

 

[aaksheytalwar]

I doubt his C2D or C2Q board even supports DDR3.

 

[heymrdj]

It does support DDR3 being a Q45 chipset, and provides 16 lanes of PCI-e 1.1 with the ICH10 delivering another 6 lanes.

http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/product-and-parts/detail.page?&LegacyDocID=MIGR-70874

8GB of ram. I imagine that it only has the 280W PSU seeing as it has integrated instead of a card. But lenovo's used solid PSUs with heavy 12v percentages. I see no reason why it wouldn't run a 7750 or equivalent.

 

[krnmastersgt]

Adding the extra ram will help him be able to carry over to his next build.

I understand that but while the Ram is cheap the license he'd need JUST for this system is another $100 out of pocket, and that won't be transferring when he inevitably does a platform upgrade (unless the OP doesn't plan on doing that for at least 2 years). Basically I don't think ~$140 is worth it for just 4GB of extra Ram, especially since I believe he'll be fine for the most part with just 4 GB.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I understand that but while the Ram is cheap the license he'd need JUST for this system is another $100 out of pocket

WAT? Did you look at my link? The system shipped with Windows 7. All he needs is 64-bit install media, he can re-use the license key.

 

[krnmastersgt]

WAT? Did you look at my link? The system shipped with Windows 7. All he needs is 64-bit install media, he can re-use the license key.

Woops, read 32 bit at some point and figured more ram = new license/upgrade to existing one

My bad, nothing wrong with just grabbing more ram then!

 

[mfenn]

What is the intended use of the machine? I can see upgrading the RAM to 6GB for $20. The machine is never going to be a serious gamer, so adding a discrete GPU seems kind of pointless.

 

[cmf21]

Friend sold me some memory for cheap today. It's this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231445

The memory is overkill for now but I'll use it later. I download the 64 bit version of Win 7 today and going to use that. I just need to decide if I want to spend the $ on a video card and psu. Video card is going to be my problem as there's so many to choose from. I plan on using the computer for the internet, watching videos, and some flash games. This computer should be a bit better then what I have.

I'm upgrading a Gateway that was stolen at work which I found in the desert a year later covered in dirt and sand. Cleaned it up and it works great. Has a Intel e2180, Win 7, 3gb ddr2 memory, geforce 7500le video card, and a 250gb harddrive. I plan on giving this to my nephews and neice.

 

[mfenn]

There's really no point to getting a discrete GPU for the uses you listed.

 

[cmf21]

Probably not worth doing anything else. I should just save up for a better system.

 

[mfenn]

Probably not worth doing anything else. I should just save up for a better system.

I'd tend to agree. The extra RAM will have a big impact on the machine's performance for day-to-day tasks. The machine would require significant upgrades to be good at anything else.