Help with upgrade for HP p6-2260ea

[Mvasingh]

Hi
My 5 year old Desktop PC has been progressively getting slower. I am an intermediate level Lightroom and Photoshop CC user. I also do some intermediate video editing on Corel VideoStudio 9. It is particularly noticeable when using both Lightroom and Photoshop together. After about 1 hour things become unbearably slow to the point where I have to stop save and reboot. Then things are better. I do run regular defragmentation and clean ups but it makes no difference. The hard drive is not full.

I am planning to upgrade the RAM to 16 MB and give the internal components a good clean out as well.

Does anyone have any solutions?
Can I upgrade this PC to improve its performance?

This is my PC's information:

Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service
Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_ldr.160408-2045)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Hewlett-Packard
System Model: p6-2260ea
BIOS: BIOS Date: 06/07/12 10:24:00 Ver: 7.12
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-2120 CPU @ 3.30GHz (4 CPUs),
~3.3GHz
Memory: 6144MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 6030MB RAM
Page File: 1804MB used, 10254MB available
Windows Dir: C:\windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 32bit Unicode

Card name: Intel(R) HD Graphics
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Chip type: Intel(R) HD Graphics Family
DAC type: Internal
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_0102&SUBSYS_2ADA103C&REV_09
Display Memory: 1696 MB
Dedicated Memory: 64 MB
Shared Memory: 1632 MB
Current Mode: 1920 x 1080 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: HP 2211 Series Wide LCD Monitor
Monitor Model: HP 2211
Monitor Id: HWP2936

Thanks
Mike

 

[Lutfij]

1| See if you can source an i5-2500/i7-2600(non K ofc) off of Ebay or the likes since you seem like you can take advantage of the extra cores+hyperthreading on your current platform.

2| If this is the prebuilt desktop that you own, then the processors I've asked you to look at will drop in fine.

3| Following up on ram inquiry, you only have access to two slots on your board and the slots each will accept DDR3 1600MHz 8GB sticks to give you a total of 16GB's of ram. Now if you want suggestions for a ram upgrade, I'd suggest buying a 2x8Gb DDR3 1600MHz 1.5v kit. If you're unsure, pass on your region of residency and perhaps a site from where you'd like to purchase off of and I'll see what can be done.

4| You would benefit greatly by adding an SSD to that system to help speed up your application load times and the OSes boot times. Spend less time waiting for the system to boot up.

5| In it's current state(prior to the upgrades) make sure your own the latest BIOS revision to avoid ram incompatibility issues.

 

[The Paladin]

according to the HP web site http://h20564.www2.hp.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docId=emr_na-c03382053

thing you can do cheaply;

you can upgrade the CPU to either
2nd gen cpus
Intel Core i5-2xxxP (Sandy Bridge) Quad Core up to 95 W
Intel Core i7-2xxx (Sandy Bridge) Quad Coreup to 95 W
or 3rd gen cpus
Intel Core i5-3xxx (Ivy Bridge) Quad Core up to 77 W
Intel Core i7-3xxx (Ivy Bridge) Quad Core up to 77 W

upgrade memory to 16GB would be good yes (max board will support)
So 2x8gb Type: DDR3-1600 Non-ECC memory only, unbuffered

Get a video card for gaud sake. your using GPU intensive software and using the on-board stuff that robs your main cpu of ram to compute. So basically you right now running on 6GB and allocated 1.5GB of it to the video card. this is probably your biggest upgrade and possible headache.

1. does your PC runs in UEFI or old Bios ? (this will cut down on possible video cards you can upgrade to
2. what is the power supply make and model you have in there... (open case and look at label, if unsure take a picture and post on imgur.com and link it here) depending on video card this may limit what you can upgrade to, or may also need to be upgraded for better video card)
3. what is your budget ?

 

[Mvasingh]

according to the HP web site http://h20564.www2.hp.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docId=emr_na-c03382053

thing you can do cheaply;

you can upgrade the CPU to either
2nd gen cpus
Intel Core i5-2xxxP (Sandy Bridge) Quad Core up to 95 W
Intel Core i7-2xxx (Sandy Bridge) Quad Coreup to 95 W
or 3rd gen cpus
Intel Core i5-3xxx (Ivy Bridge) Quad Core up to 77 W
Intel Core i7-3xxx (Ivy Bridge) Quad Core up to 77 W

upgrade memory to 16GB would be good yes (max board will support)
So 2x8gb Type: DDR3-1600 Non-ECC memory only, unbuffered

Get a video card for gaud sake. your using GPU intensive software and using the on-board stuff that robs your main cpu of ram to compute. So basically you right now running on 6GB and allocated 1.5GB of it to the video card. this is probably your biggest upgrade and possible headache.

1. does your PC runs in UEFI or old Bios ? (this will cut down on possible video cards you can upgrade to
2. what is the power supply make and model you have in there... (open case and look at label, if unsure take a picture and post on imgur.com and link it here) depending on video card this may limit what you can upgrade to, or may also need to be upgraded for better video card)
3. what is your budget ?

The Paladin
This is what I have found for the power supply online so far.

Internal 300W (100V-240V)
Form factor: Internal ATX
Total wattage: 300W
Nominal input voltage range: 200-240V/3A (50-60Hz)
Dimensions: 150mm x 140mm x 86mm (5.9 x 5.5 x 3.4 inches)

I have to research the BIOS etc and get back to you.

Thanks for your help so far.

 

[Mvasingh]

Hi Lutfij
This is a prebuilt PC from PC world U.K. I am based in the U.K. I had a look on Crucial UKs website and found compatable RAM which I have ordered (8 Mb x 2).

Thanks for your help so far. I will doe some more research.

Mike

 

[Mvasingh]

5| In it's current state(prior to the upgrades) make sure your own the latest BIOS revision to avoid ram incompatibility issues.

BIOS Version/Date AMI 7.12, 07/06/2012

How do I update this?

My System Summary is:
OS Name Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
Version 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 Build 7601
Other OS Description Not Available
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name LIBRARYDESKTOP
System Manufacturer Hewlett-Packard
System Model p6-2260ea
System Type x64-based PC
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-2120 CPU @ 3.30GHz, 3300 Mhz, 2 Core(s), 4 Logical Processor(s)
BIOS Version/Date AMI 7.12, 07/06/2012
SMBIOS Version 2.7
Windows Directory C:\windows
System Directory C:\windows\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume1
Locale United Kingdom
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "6.1.7601.17514"
User Name LibraryDeskTop\Library DeskTop
Time Zone GMT Daylight Time
Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 6.00 GB
Total Physical Memory 5.89 GB
Available Physical Memory 4.41 GB
Total Virtual Memory 11.8 GB
Available Virtual Memory 9.39 GB
Page File Space 5.89 GB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys

Mike

 

[Mvasingh]

Get a video card for gaud sake. your using GPU intensive software and using the on-board stuff that robs your main cpu of ram to compute. So basically you right now running on 6GB and allocated 1.5GB of it to the video card. this is probably your biggest upgrade and possible headache.

1. does your PC runs in UEFI or old Bios ? (this will cut down on possible video cards you can upgrade to
2. what is the power supply make and model you have in there... (open case and look at label, if unsure take a picture and post on imgur.com and link it here) depending on video card this may limit what you can upgrade to, or may also need to be upgraded for better video card)
3. what is your budget ?

Hi Paladin
If I upgrade my CPU as above do I just plug in a compatable video card?
My BIOS is
BIOS Version/Date AMI 7.12, 07/06/2012

I don't have a particular budget in mind. I am trying to avoid buying a new PC. If upgrading my current HP PC gives me the improved performance that I need, then I will be happy with that. I have been looking around online at new PCs. They all come in at about £1000 ish. I guess I am willing to spend up to £500 to improve my current PCs performance.

Mike

 

[Mvasingh]

My new RAM has arrived. Do I simply take out the old RAM chips and insert the new ones? Do I have to update any software or drivers etc?
Mike

 

[Mvasingh]

according to the HP web site http://h20564.www2.hp.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docId=emr_na-c03382053

thing you can do cheaply;


Get a video card for gaud sake. your using GPU intensive software and using the on-board stuff that robs your main cpu of ram to compute. So basically you right now running on 6GB and allocated 1.5GB of it to the video card. this is probably your biggest upgrade and possible headache.

1. does your PC runs in UEFI or old Bios ? (this will cut down on possible video cards you can upgrade to
2. what is the power supply make and model you have in there... (open case and look at label, if unsure take a picture and post on imgur.com and link it here) depending on video card this may limit what you can upgrade to, or may also need to be upgraded for better video card)
3. what is your budget ?

Hi Paladin
I have installed 16Gb RAM.

My Power supply says:
Max output power: 300W @25 deg C

BIOS as above.

Any thoughts on installing a video card?

Mike

 

[The Paladin]

okay sorry was a out of the house weekend for me

happy to hear the ram works nicely for you, you should see an improvement on system loading etc.
your power supply is going to be a problem yes. tracked the details of your power supply as well
Form factor: Internal ATX
Total wattage: 300W
Nominal input voltage range: 200-240V/3A (50-60Hz)
Dimensions: 150mm x 140mm x 86mm (5.9 x 5.5 x 3.4 inches)

so its a standard size PSu which will make changing it easy the dimensions are listed in case there is a oversized power supply (ATX) always check sizes of box in case be, Homebuilt OEM Cases have provisions for extra space usually, not sure yours has such a provision./

I would suggest a EVGA or Corsair 550w or 650w 80+ Bronze or Gold for a power supply
I would suggest (assuming your snared an I7/2xxx or I7/3xxx series cpu), to get a nice GTX 1060 3gb or used GTX 980TI either will cost the same
and are both the same powerful card that will make that system breath for your graphical needs.

 

[Mvasingh]

okay sorry was a out of the house weekend for me

happy to hear the ram works nicely for you, you should see an improvement on system loading etc.
your power supply is going to be a problem yes. tracked the details of your power supply as well
Form factor: Internal ATX
Total wattage: 300W
Nominal input voltage range: 200-240V/3A (50-60Hz)
Dimensions: 150mm x 140mm x 86mm (5.9 x 5.5 x 3.4 inches)

so its a standard size PSu which will make changing it easy the dimensions are listed in case there is a oversized power supply (ATX) always check sizes of box in case be, Homebuilt OEM Cases have provisions for extra space usually, not sure yours has such a provision./

I would suggest a EVGA or Corsair 550w or 650w 80+ Bronze or Gold for a power supply
I would suggest (assuming your snared an I7/2xxx or I7/3xxx series cpu), to get a nice GTX 1060 3gb or used GTX 980TI either will cost the same
and are both the same powerful card that will make that system breath for your graphical needs.

Thanks Paladin
I was anxious with the RAM upgrade DIY approach. Thankfully it worked out. Things are definitely a bit faster with Lightroom and Photoshop.

I will look into the power supply and processors and video cards as above.
I will have a few more questions when I process all of the above recommendations.

Is buying used components reliable?
Can you recommend a retailer in the UK?

Mike

 

[The Paladin]

used can work yes, have done it.. ariapc.co.uk is a store I now in the uk

 

[Mvasingh]

used can work yes, have done it.. ariapc.co.uk is a store I now in the uk
[/quotemsg
Hi Paladin
A few more questions.

Processor choice
Intel Sandybridge i5-2500 Core i5 Quad-Core Processor (3.30GHz, 6MB Cache, Socket 1155)
Or
Intel Sandybridge i7-2600 Core i7 Quad-Core Processor (3.40GHz, 8MB Cache, Socket 1155)

- Can I use my current fan cooler heat sink?
- Do I just change the processor or do I have to do some software changes or updates as well?

PSU
- There a several brands, some really cheap. Does price matter?

BIOS
-My PC has BIOS Version/Date AMI 7.12, 07/06/2012
- Do I need to update or change this?

MIKE

 

[The Paladin]

Processor:
I7-2600 but you be better to find an I7-3770 if possible.

seen some @
https://uk.webuy.com/product.php?sku=scpuinti73770#.WOy-nrpFyUk 125£
https://www.gumtree.com/p/memory-motherboards-processors/intel-core-i7-3770k/1230531850 90£

PSU
Yes it matters, your looking for 650W/750w 80+ Broinze or gold PSU like the following models
for the difference of price (about 10 Quid) I would get a 750w below found a few;

Corsair CS750M CS Modular 80 Plus GOLD-RATE 750W 12V Power Supply 88.86£

750W Corsair Builder Series CX750M 80PLUS Bronze Modular Power Supply 82.61£

BIOS
you motherboard on that HP System is : H-Joshua-H61-uATX
According to HoP web site : https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-pavilion-p6-2200-desktop-pc-series/5258508/model/5282756?sku=B7J06EA

there is a bios upgrade possible, and the fix is ; v8.20a
This package provides an update to the HP Consumer Desktop PC BIOS Update (ROM Family SSID 2ADA) for supported models running a supported operating system
Fix and enhancements:
-Improved security of UEFI code and variables. HP strongly recommends promptly transitioning to this updated BIOS version which supersedes all previous releases

would I do it, yes