Upgrading ATA HDD to SATA and Max Memory Capacity

[LoneWalker]

Hi Guys,

  I hope you all safe and sound. 

  I have been using this HP Compaq Pro 6300 Base Model Microtower for more than 6 years and still going great without any hassle. So recently I wanted to give a boost for the system and the hardware, while I was checking the compatibility I came across that motherboard's name goes as HP-399A and installed HDD is ST500DM002-1BD142 ATA Device(465GB, IDE) before go more further I thought to get few blanks filled with help of this great community,

1. Want to upgrade HDD disk with 1 TB or 2 TB HDD or SSD, can I go for my expectations? upgrade?

2. Same as the above I would like clear air with RAM also, on the HP web its mentioned as upgradeable up to 32 GB?

      Is it possible?

3. Regarding this 339A motherboard is it worth for such a boost or should I go for an alternative, a new machine?

Below I mentioned a few specs of my machine

Be safe and Be Strong Guys

Thank you

LoneWalker

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

The model drive you have is a 500 GB Seagate Barracuda SATA 6.0 HDD.

You should go into the BIOS and check the drive controller setting because it should be set to AHCI, not IDE.

AHCI provides the best drive performance. 

Just check it because you can't change it if it is on IDE or the PC won't boot up to the operating system.

Yes, you can upgrade the memory to 4 x 8 GB but that will be pretty expensive.

If you have two matching size memory chips in there now, try just adding 2 x 8 GB to it, and see how it works.

SSD...1 TB will run over $100.   2 TB would be very expensive...probably over $200.

I recently bought this 250 GB SSD for my HP 6200 Pro and love it.  Mine has 16 GB of memory and so far that is enough for me.

https://www.amazon.com/Blue-NAND-250GB-SSD-WDS250G2B0A/dp/B073SB2MXW/ref=sr_1_4?crid=26JNS2T5T3P2B&d...

If you decide to go with upgrading to the SSD, and the drive controller is set to IDE, make sure you change the setting to AHCI before you reinstall W7.

You should be able to upgrade to W10 for free.  I just upgraded my 6200 Pro from 7 Pro to 10 Pro for free.

W7 is no longer supported by Microsoft for security updates and whatnot.

See the info at the link below...

https://www.zdnet.com/article/heres-how-you-can-still-get-a-free-windows-10-upgrade/

You will also need a 3.5" to 2.5" hard drive adapter to fit the SSD into the drive bay.

I would say the upgrade to a 1 TB SSD, and 2 x 8 GB of memory should run less than $200, and that is way less than buying a new PC of the same caliber as yours.  That would be one of the HP Prodesk 600 G5 MTs.

And then you would want to upgrade that one. 😊

You stay safe and well too!

[LoneWalker]

Hi Paul,

Thank you for such a wonderful explanation, it was detailed and nicely placed with suggestions

Only one thing I have to get clarify, that would be the BIOS drive controller settings, I think I can get the same detail through Device Manager and I saw it as below

Intel(R) 7 Series/C216 Chipset Family SATA AHCI Controller - 1E02

I think it's set to AHCI?

Thank you

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Yes, you are correct.

The drive controller is set to AHCI, so no need to change it.

Suggested memory...you can probably search by the kit number and find it at most online retailers.  CT2K102464BD160B

https://www.crucial.com/memory/ddr3/ct2k102464bd160b/ct7349040

You can see where if you max it out, you'd be looking at close to $200.00.

Bottom line...with a SSD and 16 GB + of memory, you will notice a considerable difference in performance.

[LoneWalker]

Hi

Many thanks, Paul.

So far I think my all dark clouds have been cleared with your effort. 

Hope you will continue the good work!

Be safe and Be strong!

Thank you

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime.

Glad to have been of assistance.

Please post back, and let us know how your PC upgrades went.