Where can i go?

[L0ne]

Ok i just recently bought a new laptop about 2 months ago and its not running as fast as i thought it would. Ive only ever had one other computer apart from this one and i dont know much about computers so i really need help. I want to just basically start upgrading it but when i look on some sites, such as nvidia, i get really confused and can never get to a screen where i can buy something.

Well anyway, the point in this post was that i really need your help in finding out what exactly im supposed to be looking for and where i can get it from.

Spec:

BIOS: PhoenixBIOS 4.0 Release 6.1
Processor: Intel(R) Celeron(R) M processor 1.50GHz
Memory: 502MB RAM
Page File: 415MB used, 811MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode

Card name: Mobile Intel(R) 915GM/GMS,910GML Express Chipset Family
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Chip type: Intel(R) 915GM/GMS,910GML Express Chipset
DAC type: Internal
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2592&SUBSYS_006A1025&REV_03
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Mode: 1280 x 800 (32 bit) (60Hz)

And what im looking for is (sorry if i sound strange)... more MHZ? Because this laptop has 400 and i want more lol and also more..GHZ? this laptop has 1.5.. and i want more :D


Thanks

[jlreich]

Hi L0ne, and welcome to the PcGuide forums. :)

Well when it comes to laptops there isn't much you can do in the way of upgrades. :(

About the only thing you can upgrade is ram and the hard drive.

No CPU upgrades. It is sometimes possible to upgrade the CPU, but often they are soldered to the motherboard. And if you know very little about computers you definitely don't want to get your feet wet inside a laptop. ;)

You could possibly benefit from more ram, but it depends on what you do with the laptop whether or not you would notice a big difference or not. I personally like to see any machine running XP to have 1GB ram, but 512MB is enough for basic web surfing, office programs and emailing.

[L0ne]

I am very into gaming. I have an xbox 360 which is connected to xbox live and i play on that alot but some of my friends are starting to play more pc games like warcraft and others. I think that i have noticed i need a better graphics card or something to play games better. Do you have any idea where i could get one of those from?

Thanks :D

[jlreich]

For a laptop? There is no chance at all in upgrading the video card. Sorry. :( Only the most expensive laptops have the option to upgrade the video card.

More ram would help in gaming, but the onboard video is really hampering the systems gaming performance. That laptop is just not meant for gaming. Most laptops are not meant for gaming. ;)

If you would like to post your make and model I would be happy to look to see just what upgrade options you do have.

[L0ne]

Ok Its an acer aspire 3610

[jlreich]

The only thing you can upgrade on that is the ram and HDD. You most likely have 2x256MB sticks of ram in there right now. Since you have dual channel ram I would replace both sticks to keep dual channel mode enabled.

Here is a dual channel kit that would work in your system. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820146516
Or two of these. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145554

Upgrading the ram to 1GB will help with gaming, but the fact that you have onboard video really hurts any kind of gaming. You will not have a very pleasant gaming experience on that machine no matter how much ram you put in it. Any recent game will most likely be very painful to play on that laptop. Some games will flat out refuse to run.

The hard drive I wouldn't worry about unless you need more space.

That's about it though. I'm sorry but laptops are not meant to be gaming machines. And only high end laptops are able to have the video card replaced.

If you really want to play games on a PC then I suggest you look into a mid to high range desktop computer. Even a desktop with a low end dedicated video card will have more gaming power than your laptop. ;)

[mjc]

Warcraft should be OK...but anything of more recent vintage will start to really suffer from being played on a laptop.

[L0ne]

hi sorry took so long to reply thanks for your help :D