[johndow]

I have photoshop CS2 at the moment, and the Desktop i have is incredibly slow at best. Its a 3 years old, Compaq Presario with from what i can tell from the system menu, 160GB Hard drive, 448Mb RAM, 1GHz processor, AMD Athlon 3200+.

Not sure what all that means, but is there anything i can easily upgrade within the current unit to make running photoshop bearable for now.

I do intend on changing the computer in a while, but for now, i use it mostly for Microsoft Office packages for assignments etc and it is fine for that.

Thanks
JD

[Tobers]

Easiest thing to get an instant performance increase is to add more RAM. It's also dead cheap these days. Go for 2GB minimum.

You need to be careful to get the right sort of RAM though. There are numerous different types. Refer to your manual if you still have it, or check out the config analyser at Crucial Memory's web site.

[theuncharmed]

Totally agree, RAM would be the quickest and possibly the most effective way to speed up your CS2.

I'd also look at doing the usual thing of clearing your PC of any programs you don't use, clean up your temp files etc and run a defrag once a month.

Use the crucial memory checker to see what RAM you need

[johndow]

Cheers for the link. It was able to search my system and recomend a few options. Apparently the computer has four available slots with only one currently used with 512MB. It did recomend that memory is used in pairs for optimal performance

I think i my choice would be to go for 512MB x 4 or 512MB + 1GB x 2 (would 2.5 GB be much more noticeable than 2GB) Also, i had read somewhere that unless your really pushing the boundaries with software, then anything over 2GB is unecessary

Is it difficult to change the memory? can a pleb like myself do it? would i have to reboot everything, or at worst, could i wipe everything i already have on the computer. I have a reboot CD (at least i think that's what it is), all original software discs and i am happy enough to back up all photos/ documents etc in advance.

Thanks again

JD

[Liquid101]

Adding RAM should be easy - many laptops have the RAM hidden under the keyboard.

RAM stands for Random Access Memory, which in basic terms means that it only contains information that your operating system and software needs to run, unlike the information stored on your hard drive. In effect, each time you start restart your machine you're wiping it clean. Therefore, you can remove the old RAM and pop in the new without having to do anything but switch your computer off.

As long as you've plugged it in correctly, it should just recognise the new RAM and start working much better

[Naith]

Go on, be a & FORMAT!!! = best way after buying new hardware to breathe life into a system that has had the same OS installation for too long...

[Gingerbillc]

Thing with memory is it works best if all mocules are the same size, and in banks of either 2 or 4 modules. Better still, all modules are from the same batch. For the past 4 years or so, memory has been dual channel on most motherboards.

take the lhs panel as you look at it from the front off your pc, and you'll see your memory as two long strips that are hold on with two quick release strip. Just pop the clips open and replace. All memory has a notch in it so they can't be put in the wrong way.

Just ground yourself - touching a radiator whilst touching the chasis does the trick- before hand and obviously, make sure your pc is unplugged.


As for reinstalling windows, be aware that you'll also need to reinstall all the drivers for all your peripherals such as lan, sound gfx, printers and scanners. It is also better if you can 'slipstream' the latest service pack into the origional version of windows 1st to really make a difference.Something I shall be doing soon for my vista pc.

Bill

ps. I hope yor 3200 Athlon isn't running at 1ghz as that is showing it to be running at less than half speed!!

[Jeremy Knowles]

Originally Posted by johndow

I think i my choice would be to go for 512MB x 4 or 512MB + 1GB x 2 (would 2.5 GB be much more noticeable than 2GB) Also, i had read somewhere that unless your really pushing the boundaries with software, then anything over 2GB is unecessary

I'm assuming you're running XP*, in which case any more than 2GB will be a waste of your money, just throw out what you have and go with the best crucial checker suggestion of 2GB total.

*64-bit XP is another matter.

[Gingerbillc]

use the crucial checker, write down what memory it is then buy the same as 2x1gb strips of corsair xms.

[ScottBT]

I have a Compaq Presario with very similar spec to yours. However all I did was slot a 1GB RAM stick in the spare slot to give me 1.5GB Ram and the difference is massive.

Probably the best and easiest £20 mod you can give your PC.

[jonnypb]

stick some more RAM in and defrag your HDD

also a clean format and rebuild will also help

[hot-fuzz]

Whenever my PC used to go a bit slow i just re-formatted the HD, but that was on XO
Now on Vista i have loaded ALOT more on it and havent noticed hardly any slowdown, i really like Vista and how it copes with things.
And specifically for Lightroom and CS3 ive added the ReadyBoosy via a 1GB Memory Stick which also helps speed things up

[johndow]

Originally Posted by ScottBT

I have a Compaq Presario with very similar spec to yours. However all I did was slot a 1GB RAM stick in the spare slot to give me 1.5GB Ram and the difference is massive.

Probably the best and easiest £20 mod you can give your PC.

Scott, please excuse my ignorance. Is the slot external, or would i still have to open up the computer?

Is the 1GB memory stick the same as the memory modules recomended by Crucial Memory?

I am looking at the easiest way to speed up the PC.

Thanks
JD