Upgrading my dads old computer

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My father has a very old Emachine- Et1810-o3r desktop computer.


Ive posted about upgrades long ago for ram gpu ssds ect but i now realize any one of these upgrades would be close to 1/3 of the price i could pay for a better computer.

Ive been looking into used/refurbished as thats what we have had for last 5 years and its served us well.


Was looking into Dell Optiplex 780s and 980s respectively:

http://www.amazon.com/OptiPlex-Intel-Q9300-2-5GHz-Windows/dp/B01BH1QHS4/ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1455705816&sr=1-2&keywords=dell+optiplex+780&refinements=p_n_feature_fourteen_browse-bin%3A2057441011

http://www.amazon.com/Dell-OptiPlex-980-Desktop-Computer/dp/B004MJCPHQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1455705663&sr=1-1&keywords=Dell+OptiPlex&refinements=p_n_feature_four_browse-bin%3A2289793011

Price range: honostly $200 or **I can try and sell the desktop, i might be able to get $80-$120 MAX for it, i think we paid $300 for it 4 or 5 years ago.

if i get it sold that means roughly $300 max budget

Primary USE: simple browsing, youtube/facebook, maybe skype video chat.
 
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rush21hit

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What purpose do this upgrade intended to?
Is it need to be faster? Then SSD is the obvious solution. Even the 32GB ones are great for old system like this. But I would recommend at least 64 ones.
Do you want to game on it? GTX750 (non Ti) will leverage graphics part significantly while not too expensive.
Better multitasking? Well the highest RAM capacity on DDR2 is only 2GB and its bloody expensive for what you get. I recommend second hand stuff for RAM. Make it 2x2GB.
The CPU is a relic, but still enough to do casual stuff. If you insist on replacing it, then the Q6600 would be the obvious step. I don't think any retailer still has it. Again, buy second hand stuff. Don't worry, as long as it works in first try it will work indefinitely. That Q6600 build like a tank. Your motherboard will be dead long before the CPU does.
 
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i was thinking of upgrading the SSD but i can only get sata 1.5Gbits per s for the current computer as thats all thats supportd.
Not sure what would be a good option there..

i found this 4GB kit as well http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kingston-4GB-2-x-2GB-240-Pin-DDR2-800-PC2-6400-KTH-XW4400C6-2G-Memory-LowPro-/161925079418?hash=item25b37ca17a

purpose of the upgrade would be to make daily use faster. its unbelievable slow.. lol i even upgraded the cpu awhile ago i believe to E7500
 

rush21hit

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True, those old gen SATA port is quite slow. But still is better than those spindle disk, don't you agree?

An SSD still preferable in this situation. I know a guy that use an SSD that was salvaged from a dead netbook for his old PC. It works.
 
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What SSD do you suggest? ones i can find within my budget im unsure of, like patriot 64GB but doesnt say if its sata1 or not..

also i looked into upgrading the cpu as suggested to Q6600 and i found they are affordable starting at around $30 used http://www.amazon.com/Intel-Q6600-Quad-Core-Processor-Cache/dp/B000LRMR26/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1455709445&sr=8-1&keywords=Q6600

but thats if i get the g0 /95w then im good with that deal.

i will most likely upgrade the fan to this Cooler master http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Hyper-212-RR-212E-20PK-R2/dp/B005O65JXI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1455711493&sr=8-1&keywords=cooler+master+evo+212
 
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so buying sata II/III will still work but operate at 1.5GB?? im not looking to OC just be able to support the increase heat, however minimal it may be.

heres the zalman i picked great price!! http://www.amazon.com/Zalman-CPU-Cooling-CNPS7000V-AL-PWM/dp/B004QS0LB0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1455712967&sr=8-1&keywords=lga+775+fan&refinements=p_89%3AZalman
 

rush21hit

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Yup, I used those thing to replace a stock fan of a A10-5800K for a friend. It ran even cooler than stock ever has, as the owner said to me. I forgot the specifics. I also forgot which Zalman I used, but it was quite identical in shape and price to your choosing. But maybe a bit bigger. I did however also add some thermal paste from Artic Cooling.

And yes, the SSD will operate accordingly. Still much better than 600-700ish MB/s from spindles I'd say.
 


boadicea,

With some patient shopping, a $300 budget can buy quite a lot. And, obsolete Dell Optiplexi are a good place to look, especially having 2nd generation i7's. For example:

Dell OptiPlex 990 128GB SSD HD, 16GB RAM Core i7-2600 3.4GHz CPU, AMD HD7570 GPU > Sold on 1.28.16 for $255

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-OptiPlex-990-128GB-SSD-HD-16GB-RAM-Core-i7-2600-3-4GHz-CPU-AMD-HD7570-GPU-/262262824008?hash=item3d10151c48%3Ag%3AbsAAAOSwa39UuF%7EK&nma=true&si=fFQQT8I1DAJ5TiBszZ9mdoc1mmM%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

With a fast i7-2600 4-core @ 3.4 /3.8GHz, 16GB RAM, a 128GB SSD and 500GB HD, and an AMD HD 7570, the performance is probably surplus to need for the use and is usefully more or less ready to load Windows and programs and use. If boadicea Sr. has a lot of stored media, add a larger storage drive such as WD Blue. The key to buying is 1. the mini tower case, 2. a strong i5 or i7, 3. 8GB or more of RAM, and 4. importantly, a Windows 7 COA so the OS can be reloaded and activated. If there is an SSD, even better, but SSD's have dropped so much in price, a good system at a lower price that can afford to add a new one is better. The same is true of the GPU. a system event without a GPU at the right price can be an advantage as you can find a used GTX 750 or similar.


Cheers,

BambiBoom

HP z420 (2015) > Xeon E5-1660 v2 (6-core @ 3.7 / 4.0GHz) > 32GB DDR3 1866 ECC RAM > Quadro K4200 (4GB) > Intel 730 480GB (9SSDSC2BP480G4R5) > Western Digital Black WD1003FZEX 1TB> M-Audio 192 sound card > 600W PSU> > Windows 7 Professional 64-bit > Logitech z2300 speakers > 2X Dell Ultrasharp U2715H (2560 X 1440)>
[ Passmark Rating = 5064 > CPU= 13989 / 2D= 819 / 3D= 4596 / Mem= 2772 / Disk= 4555] [Cinebench R15 > CPU = 1014 OpenGL= 126.59 FPS] 7.8.15



 
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well that makes finding a ssd that fits my budget more easy now that i have satII/III to take into consideration lol.

i also have some thermal paste from artic from when i upgraded the cpu still.

ive calculated it will cost me $111 for the following upgrades

*Q6600 - $35 avg used(g0)
*Kingston ValueRAM 4GB Kit - $26
*Zalman Cpu Fan - $10
*Kingston Digital 120GB SSD -$40

 
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thank you bamboo!