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Question

upgrading my pc

Jan 4, 2014 3:49AM PST

hi,
I need to upgrade my pc because it is getting really annoying when im playing a game then all of a sudden, bam blue screen.
I have been told its probably my video card and looking online has just confused me. =D
It is at least 4 years old as i got it second hand .
I have:
Mainboard : HP ML110 G4
Chipset : Intel i3000
Processor : Intel Xeon 3040 @ 1866 MHz
Physical Memory : 3072 MB DDR2-SDRAM (i have 5gb in but only 3 showing up)
Video Card : NVIDIA GeForce 9300 GE
Hard Disk : Maxtor 4R160L0 ATA Device (164GB)
DVD-Rom Drive : SONY DVD RW AW-G170A


I would like to add part by part to it, not just buy a whole new PC.
At the moment i only have £150 to upgrade.
What would you guys recommend i buy first?

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
The 5GB RAM is a clue
Jan 4, 2014 4:01AM PST

If this is running a 32 bit OS there are instances that having more than 4GB can cause issues in some machines.

Try the usual cleaning with the canned air (see the internet) and if that doesn't help, replace all thermal compounds.

http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/12577_na/12577_na.PDF shows it has PCIe slots so if this was mine, AFTER I COMPLETED MY REPAIRS (noted in the prior 2 sentences) I would consider the 6670 video card noted at http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107.html
Bob

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RAM
Jan 4, 2014 4:18AM PST

thanks for the speedy answer =D


so should i just take out 1GB of RAM?

i use that canned air on the first of every month.

the thermic paste stuff is broken, does that make a difference? is there a good paste or are they all similar?

is there any other thermal compounds i need to replace?

and where about would i buy one of those video cards?

(sorry about all the questions)
thanks

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I can't tell.
Jan 4, 2014 4:24AM PST

I don't know the specifics of memory sticks and OS so all I can write is "possible issue there."

As to the thermal paste, the machine looks old enough to have dry cracked paste. A fine source of trouble but cheap (under 10 bucks tops) to fix. The discussion about pastes is legendary. I use heatsink compound. (that's it!)

You should find this compound under most heatsinks. I find the most common failures on the heatsinks that have fans. I think most understand why that is.

Where to buy cards? It's a big world. Here I use amazon.com, newegg.com
Bob

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thanks
Jan 4, 2014 5:18AM PST

thanks for your help
i will replace all compounds and get that graphics card (along with that dvi cable it needs) also i will try with only 4gb or 3gb.
also do you think my processor/main board needs upgrading or they ok?

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The problem is
Jan 4, 2014 5:24AM PST

If you touch the mainboard or CPU you would be better off in a new PC. It's too likely the PSU isn't up to the job, we can't recycle the RAM and on and on it goes.
Bob

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What OS are you running ? Is it 32 or 64bit ?
Jan 4, 2014 6:18AM PST
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im running
Jan 4, 2014 7:08AM PST

im running 32bit
it doesn't exceed 8GB i only have 5GB...
so if i take out 2GB it will be ok?

(and that ram on that website is very expensive!!)
thanks

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You'll want to keep it
Jan 4, 2014 7:10AM PST

4GB or less and if the machine supports dual channel, pairs. ECC memory is pretty old stuff but this machine is now something of legend. Not many can support it but we can get it to be usable.
Bob

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what?
Jan 4, 2014 7:32AM PST

now im confused? Confused
=D

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32 Bit
Jan 4, 2014 7:51AM PST

In a 32 bit system, the way you are set up, run 2x2GB sticks and you'll be fine, typically as a prior poster stated, pairs = 2 2gb sticks of matched Ram.

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thanks
Jan 4, 2014 8:09AM PST

thanks for clearing that one up =D

i have 2 new 2gb sticks on the side not doing anything should i swap them out with the 2x2gb and 1x1gb that's already in there

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(NT) Are they ECC ?
Jan 4, 2014 8:16AM PST
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32bit ...but what OS ? That's why
Jan 4, 2014 8:14AM PST

you're not 'seeing' all the 5GB of RAM installed.

DDR2 RAM is way more expensive than DDR3 RAM and being DDR2 ECC RAM makes it even more expensive.

Your system is designed for maximum performance with DUAL CHANNEL architecture which means you need matching DIMMs ....same mfg, same capacity, same speed, etc. Bottom line, they should be "MATCHED PAIRs" in DIMM bank A or bank A and B. With matched DIMMs in the proper bank(s), the system runs in the 128bit DUAL CHANNEL Mode which is faster than the 64bit operation mode. If you can rearrange the existing RAM into a DUAL CHANNEL configuration, you'll get better performance without spending more $$.

Re gaming....you'll need a better video card (GPU) and perhaps another PSU (existing PSU says 370W) if you want a high power gaming GPU.

VAPCMD

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ECC
Jan 4, 2014 8:46AM PST

i use windows 7

whats this ECC ram?
isn't it the same as normal DDR2?

what do you mean by dual channel?

i have 2 black and 2 white alternating (BWBW) ram slots what ones do i put the rams in?

(sorry i don't know all the terms for these things)

i knew i would have to get a better graphics card cause this one is rubbish.
was thinking of going with the one stated above by R .proffitt or MSI Radeon R7 240 2048MB GDDR3 PCI-Express Graphics Card

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(NT) I thought I wrote about a 6670?
Jan 4, 2014 8:51AM PST
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you did i said or
Jan 4, 2014 9:59AM PST

i gave 4xPNY Technologies Europe 2GB DDR2 DIMM and 1x1GB DDR2 800 DIMM 5-5-5

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RAM type
Jan 4, 2014 10:24AM PST

IF this is an HP/Compaq Ml110 series, there is something off, as a prior poster stated the Ram is questionable from a couple of standpoints. That series MB calls for DDR-3 ECC ram, you show DDR-2 Sdram. Is this unit something that someone cobbled together? It seems a bit odd and if this is the M110 series MB the issue(s) you have been having could very likely because of memory/mismatch-compatibility. The cure may be, 2 sticks of 2GB DDR-3, I could be off base but what I see for that motherboard ML110, that's what is called for.

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it is
Jan 4, 2014 10:59AM PST

pc wizard says it is and so does the front of the case.
when i got it, it had the 1gb ddr2 ram in

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Re RAM....see page 15 of the quick specs at the link
Jan 4, 2014 11:13AM PST

above and herein below for info re RAM type and placement.

http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/12577_na/12577_na.PDF

Here's some of the text:

HP ProLiant ML110 G4 Models

Standard Memory
512 MB of PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM running at 512 MB with ECC capabilities Memory installed (1 x 512 MB SDRAM DIMM).

Standard Memory Plus Optional Memory
Up to 5120 MB memory is available with the optional installation of PC2-5300 un-buffered ECC DDR2 SDRAM DIMM Memory kits.

Standard Memory Replaced with Optional Memory
Up to 8192 MB of memory is available with the removal of the standard 512 MB of memory and the optional installation of PC2-5300 un-buffered ECC DDR2 SDRAM DIMM Memory kits.

In memory configurations requiring 2 DIMM and 4 DIMM configurations, the memory must be paired for optimal performance. This means that DIMMs in slot 1 and 3 have to be identical, in slot 2 and 4 have to be identical. (For example, the Optional memory configuration shown below

(See link Table page 15)

Following are memory options available from HP:
2 GB Unbuffered PC2-5300 ECC DIMM (1 x 2 GB) 432806-B21
1 GB Unbuffered PC2-5300 ECC DIMM (1 x 1 GB) 432804-B21
512 MB Unbuffered PC2-5300 ECC DIMM (1 x 512 MB) 432803-B21

Let us know how it works out.

VAPCMD

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ecc
Jan 4, 2014 11:26PM PST

does it have to be this ecc ram?

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Depends on the model
Jan 4, 2014 11:42PM PST

I didn't find HP listing anything other than ECC. I think you revealed that the non-ECC didn't show up which is a fine clue.
Bob

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Two options....(1) try some quality non-ECC DDR2 RAM
Jan 5, 2014 1:55AM PST

as generally described above and see if it works reliably as it should, or (2) contact HP tech support and get their guidance.

As always, let us and those who follow know how it works out.

VAPCMD