Question Grandfather needs an upgrade for lenovo h50-55 desktop type 90bg

[nakin19333]

So my grandfather has said pc above and he doesn't want to buy a new one, he doesn't want to swap the case or move hdd over to something newer, he wants the same pc but he wants it faster, I told him I could put a better cpu and a better gpu aswell as a corresponding psu, but I'm not sure what would fit and what wouldn't, I would take the pc apart and just lay it out and measure everything but my grandfather is obsessed with this thing and won't let it be turned off for more than a few hours let alone a few days, so is there anything that knowingly would be compatible with it, my grandfather told me he would pay whatever so I don't need any budget things or anything just the best that fits honestly

 

[USAFRet]

So my grandfather has said pc above and he doesn't want to buy a new one, he doesn't want to swap the case or move hdd over to something newer, he wants the same pc but he wants it faster, I told him I could put a better cpu and a better gpu aswell as a corresponding psu, but I'm not sure what would fit and what wouldn't, I would take the pc apart and just lay it out and measure everything but my grandfather is obsessed with this thing and won't let it be turned off for more than a few hours let alone a few days, so is there anything that knowingly would be compatible with it, my grandfather told me he would pay whatever so I don't need any budget things or anything just the best that fits honestly

What are the actual specs of this system?
Full parts list, please.

 

[Misgar]

I've spotted one on eBay and it's an AMD A10 7800 3.5GHz 8GB RAM 1TB HDD.

Since your grandfather doesn't want to relinquish his PC, why not buy an identical second hand unit, strip everything out and rebuild with modern components. He'll still have the familiar retro case design, but with faster operation.

 

[Bob.B]

So my grandfather has said pc above and he doesn't want to buy a new one, he doesn't want to swap the case or move hdd over to something newer, he wants the same pc but he wants it faster, I told him I could put a better cpu and a better gpu aswell as a corresponding psu, but I'm not sure what would fit and what wouldn't, I would take the pc apart and just lay it out and measure everything but my grandfather is obsessed with this thing and won't let it be turned off for more than a few hours let alone a few days, so is there anything that knowingly would be compatible with it, my grandfather told me he would pay whatever so I don't need any budget things or anything just the best that fits honestly

Install this........UBM
Reboot.
Wait a few mins.
Run ubm with the browser closed.
Post a LINK to the results page.

 

[Unolocogringo]

Really, if he wants to keep it, Install a 500-1000GB sata hard drive and a fresh new install of windows will speed things up considerably.
Maybe a ram upgrade ,depending on what he has and does with the computer.

Download windows with the media creation tool.
Install new SSD.
Disconnect old hard drive. you can leave it mounted, just disconnect cables.
Install windows and update all drivers and windows updates.
If he wants all of the Lenovo software, you can go to their site and download it from there.
Now connect the old hard drive back to the motherboard and move over all of his files,pics,docs etc.....
When done format the old hard drive and use it as storage or backups.
Will be a much snappier experience. And only have his computer down a couple hours total .

 

[DaDuckster]

Perhaps the answer is to explain it to grandfather in different terms. Would he ask to have the engine, transmission and suspension of his car replaced while keeping the body and interior, and expect the results to be a faster car? No, because the car was built around certain choices and components. In order to secure a faster, reliable and more efficient car, the old car must be replaced…however, the items he cherishes within the older car can be retained in various manners. If he is worried about losing something stored on a HDD, assure him you can place that HDD in the new computer or in a drive enclosure that would allow him to move that data wherever he wishes (before you do either, backup that drive and store the backup). He can likely use the same keyboard and mouse, if he desires. He can keep the display too.

 

[Misgar]

I liked the analogy of upgrading an old car "while keeping the body and interior and expect the results to be a faster car" but it is possible to install new components and give an old case a new lease on life. I'm still using Lian Li cases I bought in the mid 2000s and some of my systems are on their third motherboard.

I know someone in their mid-nineties and they're perfectly happy with yearly upgrades and a brand new desktop PC every 4 years. Software gets more demanding, hardware starts to struggle. Fit new components.

Can you post pictures of the interior of your grandfather's computer so we can get an idea of what's possible? If it's a pre-built computer from Dell, HP, etc., with a non-standard motherboard, it might be very difficult to upgrade. If the motherboard is bog standard ATX or microATX, and the PSU is also ATX, it will be much easier.

 

[geofelt]

If the pc is now using a HDD, you can magically transform the performance by replacing with a ssd.
The simple way is to clone/copy to a ssd.
I like the samsung ssd migration aid.
App and specs here:

Tool & Software Download | Samsung Semiconductor Global

Download various software related to your product, including Samsung Magician, designed for use with Samsung's memory products, and find related information.

semiconductor.samsung.com

Possibly the cpu can be updated, the specs will say what processors were initially offered.
But, the benefit of a faster cpu is nowhere near the benefit from going from hdd to ssd.

 

[kizo]

I liked the analogy of upgrading an old car "while keeping the body and interior and expect the results to be a faster car" but it is possible to install new components and give an old case a new lease on life. I'm still using Lian Li cases I bought in the mid 2000s and some of my systems are on their third motherboard.

I know someone in their mid-nineties and they're perfectly happy with yearly upgrades and a brand new desktop PC every 4 years. Software gets more demanding, hardware starts to struggle. Fit new components.

Can you post pictures of the interior of your grandfather's computer so we can get an idea of what's possible? If it's a pre-built computer from Dell, HP, etc., with a non-standard motherboard, it might be very difficult to upgrade. If the motherboard is bog standard ATX or microATX, and the PSU is also ATX, it will be much easier.

No budget?
There is the option of getting identical PC case and depending on what kind of case it is.
Assuming it is something epic,quip it with 13900KS+128GB of fastest DDR5 RAM,and custom watercooled RTX4090 with 4TB Samsung 990 Pro keeping the old HDD and memories,transfering Windows to SSD or removing them if it isnt Win 10 or Win 11 and tell him it is same exact PC as his(just make sure you store old one somewhere far away)and something like Seasonic Vertex GX-1200w PSU.
IF necesary ask him for permision to drill some holes for better ventilation.\


On a more serious note,even cheapest SATA3 SSD that can be purchased for like 20$ 512GB if not 1TB should be huge help until you can convince him to let go and get something more modern for 500 - 1000 dollars.

 

[Misgar]

Most of my old PCs are sporting a new SSD (mostly SATA). This upgrade makes a big difference. As kizo says, they're a sure fire way to boost performance and they're super cheap now.

 

[kizo]

even so you should probably not go cheapest possible.
IF M.2 NVME is not an option , something like 2.5 Crucial MX500 should be awesome.
There is non-NVME M.2 version of Crucial MX500 , but for whatever reason is lacks DRAM.
Lack of DRAM is not a dealbreaker, however if there is an option to have it, it is usually better to have it than not have it.
2TB version is 90$ and worth every penny for systems that do not have NVME slot.

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/nF8j4D/

but Perhaps it does in which case something likr this:
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/9vfxFT/
It will be awesome for Likely all of his needs and desires should you ever menage to convince him to get something modern.