You've done your homework -- a RAM and CPU upgrade will make the biggest difference. I'd suggest a used Northwood 2.8Ghz CPU from eBay (maybe $15 postpaid), and if you haven't done a CPU swap before, note that thermal grease (Arctic Silver) will be needed; you can buy it at a computer store like Fry's or from e-tailers like Newegg. You will also need to clean off the old thermal compound from the heatsink ... I used paint thinner, but sometimes isapropanol will work.
Osprey has vetted your memory choice -- no need to comment.
Provided the rest of the machine is in good health, this will be a cost-effective upgrade.
When you turn off the 2400, unplug the power cord and press the power button for 10-20 seconds to drain flea power off the motherboard. Replacing the memory is pretty easy. Press down on the clips at each end of the DIMM memory stick, lift out the old DIMM, align and insert the new one(s).
As explained in the link, a Celeron is based on a Pentium core. Basically, it is a P4 that has been patched during the manufacturing process to run at a slower speed with less cache ram.
If all your grandmother does is surf the web then the Celeron will work just fine. Check with your local computer techs. You might get a real deal on a P4. Most of us cannibalize old machines and keep processors, memory chips, etc. lying around gathering dust.
For that system, each memory slot can hold DDR PC2700, DDR PC3200 with a maximum of 1GB per slot. The RAM you list should work.
As far as the CPU, given the age of this machine, I hesitate to recommend upgrading. But what is supported are Northwood or earlier CPUs, 400 or 533 MHz bus, socket 478. Max: 3.06/533/512K P4 although a slower processor will be much cheaper. They are only available used.
Intel® Pentium® 4 that runs at 2.2 or 2.4 GHz internally and 400 MHz externally, or 2.266, 2.4, 2.53, 2.66, 2.8, or 3.06 GHz internally and 533 MHz externally.
System Information
System chip set
Intel 845GV
Many Places have Optiplex GX270 and GX280 , Dimension 4600, Dimension 4700 's for $100
The 2400 just Isn't very upgradeable.
If you get to $300 thats a newer machine like an Inspiron 530 or higher that will be MUCH FASTER.
Ya. My grandma is just complaining about it being really slow. I don't think she is looking for a big upgrade though. I believe with the re install of xp and quadrupling her ram, that will probabbly be fine. If she says anything else, I will maybe do the processor. I agree though that the 2400 isn't worth dropping too much money into. I ordered the ram though. Should the install be pretty straightforward?. Just turn off the machin, put the sticks in, and boot it up?
rdunnill
6 Professor
•
8.8K Posts
1
October 6th, 2011 01:00
You've done your homework -- a RAM and CPU upgrade will make the biggest difference. I'd suggest a used Northwood 2.8Ghz CPU from eBay (maybe $15 postpaid), and if you haven't done a CPU swap before, note that thermal grease (Arctic Silver) will be needed; you can buy it at a computer store like Fry's or from e-tailers like Newegg. You will also need to clean off the old thermal compound from the heatsink ... I used paint thinner, but sometimes isapropanol will work.
Osprey has vetted your memory choice -- no need to comment.
Provided the rest of the machine is in good health, this will be a cost-effective upgrade.
tgsmith
2.9K Posts
1
October 7th, 2011 03:00
91civicsikid,
When you turn off the 2400, unplug the power cord and press the power button for 10-20 seconds to drain flea power off the motherboard. Replacing the memory is pretty easy. Press down on the clips at each end of the DIMM memory stick, lift out the old DIMM, align and insert the new one(s).
Incidentally, see this for an explanation of the difference between a Celeron and Pentium processor. computer.howstuffworks.com/question268.htm
As explained in the link, a Celeron is based on a Pentium core. Basically, it is a P4 that has been patched during the manufacturing process to run at a slower speed with less cache ram.
If all your grandmother does is surf the web then the Celeron will work just fine. Check with your local computer techs. You might get a real deal on a P4. Most of us cannibalize old machines and keep processors, memory chips, etc. lying around gathering dust.
Tony
osprey4
4 Operator
•
34.2K Posts
0
October 5th, 2011 18:00
Hi 91Civicsikid,
For that system, each memory slot can hold DDR PC2700, DDR PC3200 with a maximum of 1GB per slot. The RAM you list should work.
As far as the CPU, given the age of this machine, I hesitate to recommend upgrading. But what is supported are Northwood or earlier CPUs, 400 or 533 MHz bus, socket 478. Max: 3.06/533/512K P4 although a slower processor will be much cheaper. They are only available used.
speedstep
9 Legend
•
47K Posts
0
October 6th, 2011 09:00
Celeron would not be an upgrade.
SL7E7 / P4 2.8GHZ 400FSB 512K NORTHWOOD 2800
INTEL Pentium 4 IV Northwood P4 3.06 Ghz 512k/533M/478
Removing and Installing Parts
http://support.dell.com/support/edoc...m_en/specs.htm
The key points are that your board supports only northwood core cpus(no prescott), and that it can take only 400 an 533 fsb cpus(no 800fsb).
Microprocessor
Microprocessor type
Intel® Pentium® 4 that runs at 2.2 or 2.4 GHz internally and 400 MHz externally, or 2.266, 2.4, 2.53, 2.66, 2.8, or 3.06 GHz internally and 533 MHz externally.
System Information
System chip set
Intel 845GV
Many Places have Optiplex GX270 and GX280 , Dimension 4600, Dimension 4700 's for $100
The 2400 just Isn't very upgradeable.
If you get to $300 thats a newer machine like an Inspiron 530 or higher that will be MUCH FASTER.
Micro Center - Dell Optiplex GX Tower Desktop Computer Off Lease ...
www.microcenter.com ›
SKU: 965657
9 new in stock $179.99
Amazon.com: Dell Optiplex 755 Tower Computer, Featuring Intel ...
This Ultra Fast and Powerful Dell 755 Optiplex Tower Computer is a later generation Optiplex series.
91civicsikid
3 Posts
0
October 6th, 2011 09:00
thanks for the quick feedback guys. my only question is why would you suggest the celero over the pentium four.
rdunnill
6 Professor
•
8.8K Posts
0
October 6th, 2011 10:00
I wouldn't recommend a Celeron, only a P4.
Speedstep, I think the budget in this case is limited to $40. I agree the 2400 isn't particularly upgradeable unless the mainboard is replaced.
91civicsikid
3 Posts
0
October 7th, 2011 00:00
Ya. My grandma is just complaining about it being really slow. I don't think she is looking for a big upgrade though. I believe with the re install of xp and quadrupling her ram, that will probabbly be fine. If she says anything else, I will maybe do the processor. I agree though that the 2400 isn't worth dropping too much money into. I ordered the ram though. Should the install be pretty straightforward?. Just turn off the machin, put the sticks in, and boot it up?
muto
2 Intern
•
872 Posts
0
October 10th, 2011 09:00
.