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Question

Dell Desktop Upgrade

by Nov 15, 2011 11:53AM PST

Hello,


I have a six-year-old Dell Optiplex GX620 with an internal Hitachi 80GB hard drive and 1GB RAM (four slots with two slots of 0.5GB) running the latest version of Windows XP.




It's performed flawlessly for its entire life but things are slowing down a bit, particularly when opening programs.



What I'd like to do is increase the RAM to 2 or 4GB and swap the hard drive for a faster and larger one and reinstall Windows XP.




Would anyone know what the maximum size (GBs) hard drive for the Optiplex would be?



Also, could you recommend a reliable, fast hard drive and some reliable RAM?



Many thanks.

Discussion is locked

5 Posts
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Answer
Research.
by Forum moderator Nov 15, 2011 9:13PM PST
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Answer
Want+need
by Nov 16, 2011 12:14AM PST

If you want to do this that's your business.
Need?........house cleaning?
Over time progs can be added to the startup list........review and trim.
Over time progs can be added to the HD......which are of no value today......uninstall.
Over time folks can store massive amounts of MY STUFF.......archive.
Some folks keep a copy of all mail sent/received......toss a few.
Some folks think that if two anti-products are good.....four must be better......might be a fight.

Grab a copy of Ccleaner.....sweeps some dust out of the corners.
If you remove large amounts of data from the HD a pass of defrag might be of value.

Cost?......10 bucks for a spindle of optical media and a few hours of time.....your call.

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Dell Desktop Upgrade
by Gassito Nov 16, 2011 4:16AM PST

Hello Bob,

Thanks for your answers.

I've already done all the housecleaning you recommended.

But I still reckon a brand new , faster and larger hard drive would speed things up. Could you recommend one.

You mentioned that 2GB RAM would be enough for XP. So would 4GB be a waste of money?

Thanks again.

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Hard drive
by Bob__B Nov 16, 2011 5:53AM PST

Dell says your machine has a Sata 80GB 7200 rpm unit.
Faster?........I suppose you could go with a 10k rpm unit or SSD .......your call.
Larger?.......look here.....pick one.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007603%2050001306%20600003489%20600003340%20600003459&IsNodeId=1&name=Western%20Digital&ShowDeactivatedMark=False

Ram.
Xp will recognize something in the area of 3>3.5GB of ram.
As to the value of going over 2GB......your call.
If you have 50 bucks to spend.....look here.
http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=OptiPlex%20GX620%20Series%20%28Desktop%2C%20Mini-Tower%2C%20and%20Small%20Form%20Factor%29&Cat=RAM

Stick a 2x2GB kit in the machine and be done with it.

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The issues of 2+GB on XP are well discussed.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Nov 16, 2011 6:50AM PST

Yes, you will see XP report 2.1 to 3.5GB when 4.0GB is installed. Some folk feel cheated with any number less than 4.0GB.

There is another angle about 2.0GB and XP worth noting. No process is given more than 2.0GB RAM unless the /3GB switch is on, the app is compiled for that and more conditions. YOUR CHOICE!!!

As to the HDD. Any 500GB SATA 7200 HDD will do nicely for most. Yes you will find XP to limit the first install to 127GB DRIVE C but after you install any SERVICE PACK you can access the rest of the space.
Bob

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