Budget 0-20k PC Upgrade Advice

balagopus

balagopus

Recruit
Hi Everyone,
It's my first post here so please feel free to point out if there are any mistakes so that I can fix them.
So my parents had an ancient system that they use for their office purposes - mainly browser based, it has an Intel pentium e5400, 2gb ddr2 ram and 160gb hdd. Recently we got another system from a relative for free, it has an Intel Pentium G2030, 2gb ddr3 ram and 160gb hdd. It had windows 7 installed, I formatted and reinstalled windows 7 because for some reason windows 10 and windows 8 boot usb just doesn't load. I tried linux, but it had graphics driver issues as the screen resolution was not detected and I couldn't find any drivers for intel. It was working fine for a few weeks, till we got a printer. After I installed the printer drivers the system felt really slow, massive slowdowns and crashes, the browser doesn't open up even after reboot. I reinstalled windows but had no improvements, it practically became unusable.

So my question is will getting another ram, preferably 8gb ddr3 and probably an ssd as well improve this situation at all? Also looking for ddr3 rams in amazon and flipkart, are the Indian brands reliable enough or are they a gamble? Is there anything else that I need to look into?

Also if any more info is required kindly tell me so that I can add
 
Well, here are some things to note:

- The main problem you will run into in terms of PC speed is the lack of cores and threads on your CPU, and in terms of RAM for using modern browsers along with printing operations running as well; 2GB is extremely limited. I suggest having at least 8GB minimum. The cheap ones on Amazon have mixed reviews most of the time and you would be better off getting a used dual-channel kit (4GBx2/8GBx2) from someone here (make a WTB post), locally, or on Indian PC FB groups.
- The HDD is honestly fine in my opinion but the speed will definitely increase by a huge margin if you upgrade to a SATA SSD. Maybe grab a cheap Crucial or ADATA SATA SSD, either new or open box ones from a local shop.
- In terms of OS, your CPU seems quite limited in options. I wouldn't suggest continuing with Windows 7 due to security vulnerabilities as your use-case is using the internet on the thing, but rather running a lightweight, debloated (check Chris Titus WinUtility on YouTube) Windows 10 after a RAM upgrade OR a Linux distro like Linux Mint XFce/MATE. I've run Linux Mint on quite ancient laptops and never had any issues with drivers. Anyway, you ought to consult Linux forums for driver issues before you try to install it and I am sure you would get apt help as they are very active.
 
Thank you for the reply, for the RAM are there any specifications that I need to look into other than ddr3. The board is H61 from Asus and from what I have seen online it supports maximum of 1333Mhz, most of the RAM online is 1600Mhz, but should just work in the lower speed without much problems. I am also skeptical of buying RAM from just brands online especially with the no returns policy of Amazon and Flipkart, but because where I live PC shops are not that common, so was just considering it and was wondering if anyone here had any experience with it. I checked for RAM in facebook marketplace in my locality but cannot find any. Can't create a post here yet and I respect the rules. Probably will look into some local shops if I can find any to see if they have any better brands. Also I forgot to add the Hdd might be in bad shape as well because in crystal disk mark, the status was caution, I don't know how serious it is, I can't remember what the errors were right now, but one was uncorrectable sector count - it wasn't a high number but googling it said that it could be serious. So I am considering getting an SSD. I was looking into the Crucial BX500 240GB for that.

As for the OS, windows 10 and windows 11 refuses to boot from usb at all for me to try and install it, sometimes it the monitor just says input not supported, sometimes some other error. As for linux, I tried linux mint and ubuntu, both had resolution of just 800x600 cannot increase it at all, tried a few solutions online but didn't work so had to go back to windows 7 with the legacy updates tool to get a few installers working. Will probably try again after I can get some RAM.
 
balagopus said:
I have seen online it supports maximum of 1333Mhz, most of the RAM online is 1600Mhz, but should just work in the lower speed without much problems.
Click to expand...
You are correct. Most modern BIOS auto-adjust speed according to your CPU requirements. You can downgrade the speed in BIOS manually as well.
balagopus said:
I was looking into the Crucial BX500 240GB for that.
Click to expand...
That's a good budget choice.
balagopus said:
because in crystal disk mark, the status was caution, I don't know how serious it is, I can't remember what the errors were right now, but one was uncorrectable sector count
Click to expand...
That's not good. Get the SSD and then copy over your personal files over to it after you clean install an OS on it.
balagopus said:
As for the OS, windows 10 and windows 11 refuses to boot from usb at all for me to try and install it, sometimes it the monitor just says input not supported,
Click to expand...
As per the CPU specs, installing Windows 10 should not be a problem. Maybe you should get the SSD and then install the OS on it directly from your Windows 7 rather than trying to do the bootable USB method (although that is the most optimal).

Maybe follow this tutorial:

In short, get a good used RAM kit -> get an SATA SSD -> Install OS on SSD -> Copy over your personal files you wish to preserve on a SSD partition.


P.S.

You can get used RAMs from reputable resellers if you are having problems finding kits locally. Although I would not personally vouch for any of them, here are some leads:

Zoukart
Gameloot
RefurbCo

All of them have their own websites, just look em up on Google.
 
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SSD only will not increase speed nor adding RAM will ...

I have i3-6100 with 12GB DDR 4 RAM, 1TB HDD after lots of discussion here on TE, reading different post and also searching online, came to know that if add SSD than it will make OFFICE USE system run faster.

I add CT MX500 but with big disappointment found it even didn't able to load windows 10 faster (Windows10 loading time was same as with HDD), but, just notice below mentioned 2 changes:-
  1. System shutdown faster
  2. Apps (few apps) load/starts faster (But over all not happy with SSD Upgrade)
Prior to existing i3-6100, i was using i5-2400 + 12GB DDR3 RAM + 1 TB WD HDD, believe me I was more happy on that system, compare to current i3-6100 + CT MX 500 + 12GB DDR4 RAM

So, if you ask me, to make system run faster, use minimum 4 Core & 4 Thread CPU (any Intel i5) + 12 GB RAM needed, than add SSD.

You are on Intel Pentium system so may be going to get good speed if use SSD but not sure.

Others may have different experience with their SSD but believe me Good CPU need to get good SPEED.
 
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Theoretically SSDs should be faster than HDDs right? Also, I believe that SSDs only make bootup and app loading faster mainly and doesn't have much impact elsewhere in performance of the system. I maybe wrong. On paper atleast you should see an improvement in your system, I don't know why your system works like that though. But also, my parents are currently using the Pentium E5400 system with 2GB DDR2 ram for now as for some reason linux plays nicer there:sweatsmile:. Also, my HDD seems to be failing anyways so a replacement is required whether it improves performance or not.,

As for CPU, I might get a 3rd gen i3 or i5 that the board supports if I can get it at a good price. I don't have confidence in the Amazon listed ones with their non-returnable policies as well. I have looked at few places that was suggested but couldn't find any. Will keep looking and hopefully get one soon online or locally.
Emperor said:
SSD only will not increase speed nor adding RAM will ...

I have i3-6100 with 12GB DDR 4 RAM, 1TB HDD after lots of discission here on TE, reading different post and aslo searching online, came to know that if add SSD than it will make OFFICE USE system run faster.

I add CT MX500 but with big disappointment found it even didn't able to load windows 10 faster (Windows10 loading time was same as with HDD), but, just notice below mentioned 2 changes:-
  1. System shutdown faster
  2. Apps (few apps) load/starts faster (But over all not happy with SSD Upgrade)
Prior to existing i3-6100, i was using i5-2400 + 12GB DDR3 RAM + 1 TB WD HDD, belive me I was more happy on that system, compare to current i3-6100 + CT MX 500 + 12GB DDR4 RAM

So, if you ask me, to make system run faster, use minimum 4 Core & 4 Thread CPU (any Intel i5) + 12 GB RAM needed, than add SSD.

You are on Intel Pentium system so may be going to get good speed if use SSD but not sure.

Others may have diffrent exprience with their SSD but belive me Good CPU need to get good SPEED.
Click to expand...
 
balagopus said:
Theoretically SSDs should be faster than HDDs right? Also, I believe that SSDs only make bootup and app loading faster mainly and doesn't have much impact elsewhere in performance of the system. I maybe wrong. On paper atleast you should see an improvement in your system, I don't know why your system works like that though. But also, my parents are currently using the Pentium E5400 system with 2GB DDR2 ram for now as for some reason linux plays nicer there:sweatsmile:. Also, my HDD seems to be failing anyways so a replacement is required whether it improves performance or not.,

As for CPU, I might get a 3rd gen i3 or i5 that the board supports if I can get it at a good price. I don't have confidence in the Amazon listed ones with their non-returnable policies as well. I have looked at few places that was suggested but couldn't find any. Will keep looking and hopefully get one soon online or locally.
Click to expand...
3rd gen i3/i5 !! I would advise against it. if you can spend about ~7k, a tiny PC with 6th Gen i3 will outperform it. Forget a tiny pc even a 6th gen thin client will outperform that. And you can get those for less than 6-7k. Don't waste your time and energy on such an old system just get a tiny pc for your parents.
 
dvader said:
3rd gen i3/i5 !! I would advise against it. if you can spend about ~7k, a tiny PC with 6th Gen i3 will outperform it. Forget a tiny pc even a 6th gen thin client will outperform that. And you can get those for less than 6-7k. Don't waste your time and energy on such an old system just get a tiny pc for your parents.
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Are price you are suggesting for barebones or a full system, best I could find was closer to 10k than 7k. I am probably looking at the wrong place then.
 
So I was just browsing through amazon and Flipkart for some DDR3 RAMs when I saw a Sk hynix ram in Flipkart it has more than 2.5K rating with average rating of 3.8. But when I looked the model number of RAM given in the product listing and even some customer images, a lot of them actually show up as SODIMM RAM models. So can both DIMM and SODIMM have same model numbers or it this some kind of scam.

An example model no. HMT41GS6BFR8A-PB
 
A
balagopus said:
So I was just browsing through amazon and Flipkart for some DDR3 RAMs when I saw a Sk hynix ram in Flipkart it has more than 2.5K rating with average rating of 3.8. But when I looked the model number of RAM given in the product listing and even some customer images, a lot of them actually show up as SODIMM RAM models. So can both DIMM and SODIMM have same model numbers or it this some kind of scam.

An example model no. HMT41GS6BFR8A-PB
Click to expand...
Probably bad data upload quality rather than a scam. Don't buy from that listing though, dunno what you'll get. They don't have same model numbers afaik.
 
calvin1719 said:
A

Probably bad data upload quality rather than a scam. Don't buy from that listing though, dunno what you'll get. They don't have same model numbers afaik.
Click to expand...
But multiple customer images had SODIMM model numbers, if it was one or two, it could have been so, here it feels fake. Anyway, not going to purchase from them was just curious.
 
balagopus said:
As for CPU, I might get a 3rd gen i3 or i5 that the board supports if I can get it at a good price. I don't have confidence in the Amazon listed ones with their non-returnable policies as well. I have looked at few places that was suggested but couldn't find any. Will keep looking and hopefully get one soon online or locally.
Click to expand...
What's your budget for this, or rather, total you want to limit spend to? With a firm number there might be some recos for what might be best in that range.
 
calvin1719 said:
What's your budget for this, or rather, total you want to limit spend to? With a firm number there might be some recos for what might be best in that range.
Click to expand...
TBH, I do not have a set budget right now. The main aim is to have a decent system that can do all the tasks that my parents need which is mostly browser based and involves some printing as well. The budget should be just not high enough that buying a refurb mini pc becomes an alternative because then at that rate, I think that will be the better thing to do rather than buying some dodgy RAM and processor from Amazon or Flipkart.
 
If there's no definitive budget, it would be difficult to offer some concrete advice.
Having said that, consider going beyond Windows and Linux. Buy an Android TV Box and connect a USB Hub. Then connect a Keyboard, Mouse, and a Printer.
An Android TV Box with 4GB RAM and 64GB Storage costs around INR 5K. It is quite powerful to run most of the productivity apps, and almost all of them are free.
There are some great tutorials out there. I am just linking one:
 
alap4m said:
If there's no definitive budget, it would be difficult to offer some concrete advice.
Having said that, consider going beyond Windows and Linux. Buy an Android TV Box and connect a USB Hub. Then connect a Keyboard, Mouse, and a Printer.
An Android TV Box with 4GB RAM and 64GB Storage costs around INR 5K. It is quite powerful to run most of the productivity apps, and almost all of them are free.
There are some great tutorials out there. I am just linking one:
Click to expand...
Again, at that price wouldn't it just be more sensible to go for a mini pc then? As far as I know these Android TV boxes are underpowered, have security concerns if not from reputable brands. I like the idea, but I think for my parents at this budget a mini pc is a better alternative considering ease of use for them which is what I am planning to do if my upgradation plans do not work out. As for a budget for upgradation, let's give it a budget of 2k-3k then excluding SSD as I can put it to use elsewhere in case this doesn't work at all which is my main concern buying parts for upgradation.

Thanks for the suggestion
 
balagopus said:
Again, at that price wouldn't it just be more sensible to go for a mini pc then? As far as I know these Android TV boxes are underpowered, have security concerns if not from reputable brands. I like the idea, but I think for my parents at this budget a mini pc is a better alternative considering ease of use for them which is what I am planning to do if my upgradation plans do not work out. As for a budget for upgradation, let's give it a budget of 2k-3k then excluding SSD as I can put it to use elsewhere in case this doesn't work at all which is my main concern buying parts for upgradation.

Thanks for the suggestion
Click to expand...
Finalize your budget for the MAIN PC first. This would help you decide what to get.
 
alap4m said:
Finalize your budget for the MAIN PC first. This would help you decide what to get.
Click to expand...
As I said for upgradation not more than 2k - 3k. If you are asking the budget for a whole another PC, it depends on lot of other factors. My parents just might get a laptop or a mini pc whatever is portable. I believe that they get about 20k that they can claim as expense once a year. So, this new purchase can probably only happen next financial year and the budget probably will be around 25k -30k then, thus the current PC upgradation/keeping it functional aim just to have a machine to use till they can sort that out.
 
balagopus said:
As I said for upgradation not more than 2k - 3k. If you are asking the budget for a whole another PC, it depends on lot of other factors. My parents just might get a laptop or a mini pc whatever is portable. I believe that they get about 20k that they can claim as expense once a year. So, this new purchase can probably only happen next financial year and the budget probably will be around 25k -30k then, thus the current PC upgradation/keeping it functional aim just to have a machine to use till they can sort that out.
Click to expand...
First of all, your hdd has caution status that too with uncorrectable sector count so nothing you install on that drive will work as it should. Second, ssd always helps & is a must nowadays to run windows 10/11 & it helps everywhere not just fast startup & shutdown. Just get a cheap crucial BX500 240gb ssd for 1300 from onlyssd (sister website of primeabgb) & install linux mint on it. Everything will run smoothly incl your printer. Also get 4gb ddr3 ram from primeabgb & sell that 2gb ram stick if possible.
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