How Can I make this thing faster?

[CameronFrazier]

Hello, so i recently pick up this computer. I got it for a good deal. When I bought it I had the guy put a 480gb Toshiba SSD in it, that made it much faster, however I would like it to be even faster. I would like to upgrade the RAM and put a better processsor in it. How do I find comaptible parts? I don't know much about building computers, just general knowledge. I mainly surf the web, don't really play games, but I want this thing lightning fast! Thank you!

[wb2001]

@CameronFrazier,

What you have is a circa 2010 Business class machine.  The guides below will explain the internals, the max ram 16GB (four 4GB modules).

Some reading for you.

http://h20564.www2.hp.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docId=emr_na-c01865755

http://h20566.www2.hp.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docId=emr_na-c01865757

http://h20566.www2.hp.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?sp4ts.oid=4023814&docLocale=en_US&docId=emr_na-c01...

[old_geekster · Accepted solution]

@CameronFrazier, welcome to the forum.

Here is the Illustrated Parts and Service Map for the computer.  On Page 1 it lists the type and maximum memory the computer can use and on Page 2 it lists the processors that are compatible with it.  I don't know which processor that you have, but the Q9650, Intel Core2 Quad processor may be the best upgrade.  Also, here is the memory that is recommended for the computer by Crucial Memory.  The maximum memory is 16 GB.  You should read all of the information on the page to assure that you know what they recommend.  It is always best to install matched pairs of memory for increased performance.

One caveat, it is very difficult to know how much the performance will be increased by these upgrades.  One person's lightening speed may not be another person's.

Please click the Thumbs up + button if I have helped you and click Accept as Solution if your problem is solved.

[CameronFrazier]

Awesome, thank you guys so much! I have the Pentium Dual-core E5300 @2.60GHz, do you think the one you recommended will be a good upgrade? Thank you for the help.

[old_geekster]

Thank you for the additional information, @CameronFrazier.

Personally, I never upgrade the processor unless I can come close to doubling the speed.  However, in this instance, when you upgrade from a Dual core (2 cores) to a Quad core (4 cores) it will definitly be far better at multi-tasking.  Just remember one thing, speed is in the eye of the beholder.  Also, the performance increase after an upgrade is dependent on all of the other components.  The chain is only as strong as its weakest link!

[CameronFrazier]

@old_geekster

Sorry one more question is the "Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650 Processor (3.0-GHz, 12MB L2 cache, 1333 MHz FSB)" the absoulute best processor I can buy for this? Thank you

[old_geekster]

@CameronFrazier, as far as I know it is the best of the processors that have been tested to assure that they will be compatible with the motherboard.