Cheap Upgrades For Old HP Pavillion m7560n?

[thomasshera]

Hello,

I have a 2008 HP Pavillion m7560n. It is very slow, with a dual-core processor and less than 1 FPS in games.

This is what it looks like: http://www.woot.com/offers/hp-pavilion-media-center-tv-m7560n-desktop-pc-apr-26

I want simple upgrades or tips (so this can do basic Web surfing / some multitasking) that will cost less than $100. The whole point of this is to show my parents I can build a computer so that I can buy one, and to make this PC last a little while longer for Web surfing. not to splurge.

My questions:
1. What cheap reliable SSD would you use? To increase loading times.
2. What other upgrades would you make which would keep the total cost under $100?
3. What cheap RAM would you use? (I want 4GB.) Is this good? http://www.amazon.com/Komputerbay-800MHz-PC2-6300-PC2-6400-Desktop/dp/B004LT6O56/ref=pd_sim_147_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=0R21XEKJR0M5C0RW60X5
4. How do I open the case? I tried screwing off screws to take the side panels off, but I just unscrewed a fan accidentally
5. Any tips on stuff to do software-wise to speed up my computer? Preferrably free Settings tweaks
6. Any good advice on lightweight browsers?
7. How do I check which files use the most memory on my 320GB hard drive? I want to delete files to improve performance.

Thanks for the help. I know upgrading this is a dead end, since it is inevitably obsolete, but it hurts me to have a computer on my desk that gets 3 digit scores on Single Core on Geekbench 3 😀

Also, this upgrade is intended both to add a couple years

This PC will be for student work, NOT gaming (it would be hopeless to upgrade this for gaming).

 

[i7Baby]

1. Samsung 850 evo - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147371 (See http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ssd-recommendation-benchmark,3269.html)

2. None

3. RAM depends on the mobo spec

4. Look in the manual - http://support.hp.com/us-en/product/HP-Media-Center-m7000-Desktop-PC-series/1847154/model/3189593/manuals/

5. Just keep it clean and running cool

6. Depends on your OS.

7. Look in Task Manager

 

[thomasshera]

1. Samsung 850 evo - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147371 (See http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ssd-recommendation-benchmark,3269.html)

2. None

3. RAM depends on the mobo spec

4. Look in the manual - http://support.hp.com/us-en/product/HP-Media-Center-m7000-Desktop-PC-series/1847154/model/3189593/manuals/

5. Just keep it clean and running cool

6. Depends on your OS.

7. Look in Task Manager

Thanks! I'll probably get the 120GB version for $70. How do I check how much RAM my MOBO can support? And how do I check whether my MOBO will support an SSD?

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-2-5-Inch-Internal-MZ-75E120B-AM/dp/B00OAJ5N6I

 

[i7Baby]

How do I check how much RAM my MOBO can support? http://www.cnet.com/products/hp-pavilion-media-center-m7560n-athlon-64-x2-2-2-ghz-2-gb-ram-320-gb-hdd/specs/ says 4GB

And how do I check whether my MOBO will support an SSD? http://www.cnet.com/products/hp-pavilion-media-center-m7560n-athlon-64-x2-2-2-ghz-2-gb-ram-320-gb-hdd/specs/ says sata 150 which is really slow so a SSD would be a waste of time. See also https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_ATA

 

[thomasshera]

How do I check how much RAM my MOBO can support? http://www.cnet.com/products/hp-pavilion-media-center-m7560n-athlon-64-x2-2-2-ghz-2-gb-ram-320-gb-hdd/specs/ says 4GB

And how do I check whether my MOBO will support an SSD? http://www.cnet.com/products/hp-pavilion-media-center-m7560n-athlon-64-x2-2-2-ghz-2-gb-ram-320-gb-hdd/specs/ says sata 150 which is really slow so a SSD would be a waste of time. See also https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_ATA

Thanks so much!!

And I was going to buy an SSD...

I'm just going to dual-boot Linux and Win7 to have a lightweight Web browser. Thanks!