Just get RAM or start over?

[husker]

I have a Dell Dimension 8100 that I've been using since 2001.

I have 256MB PC800 RDRAM (Rambus) installed in it since I bought it. I know that's not much, but at the time it was plenty.

My question is would it be better for me to spend money on upgrading the RDRAM to more MB (costs a crapload for rambus) or to basically start over with a new MOBO, CPU, and start using SDRAM?

I know most of you will say upgrade the whole system, but I basically only use it for internet and basic use (not much gaming at all).

I've started using Photoshop more and some more graphics intensive programs and it takes forever for the programs to load and/or operate with the slow speeds of my PC when working with large files.

Would just getting more RAM fix this or do I need to completely overhaul my system. If it's an overhaul I need, could somebody point me in the right direction of stuff I would need at a low price (I'm not looking to blow the benchmarks away). I don't need anything fancy, just something that can handle what mine can't handle now. Thanks.

[classicsoftware]

It depends on your budget.

I would juice the RAM and check fro free hard disk space. If you can increase the free space by getting a new drive and putting the photoshop cache files on the empty drive you will notice an increase in performance.


Will you also notice an increase in performance with SATA DRIVE, P4 and a Gig of RAM sure.

It depends on your budget

[pop pop]

RDRAM is expensive and can be a bit of a pain to find. Naturally, it must be installed in pairs. I have a box with RDRAM and there was a significant jump in performance when I bumped it up to 512MB. You can get a 256 kit (2x128) for under $150...much cheaper than new mobo/cpu/DDR. Especially for ordinary use.

[husker]

Thanks for the input guys. I'll do some looking. Sounds like adding more RAM would be the cheapest and easiest way. I'm just conflicted now knowing that if I get more RDRAM and then my PC poops out, I'm basically out in the cold and have to buy all that stuff anyways. Decisions, decisions.

[pop pop]

Everyone who bought an RDRAM mobo is in that box. My guess is that the supply of RDRAM will fade before our mobos do. Knock on wood :rolleyes:

[cyber_surfer]

You might try for another whole machine on Ebay. You get the ram you need and back up everything else at the same time. Should keep you going for quite a while.

I have two Dell 8200s and plan to keep one going for my wife (who is quite happy with a 1.8 GHZ P4) for a long time.

I have built myself a 2.8GHZ P4 and enjoy the speed.