BleepingComputer.com: Would it be cheaper to upgrade or buy a brand new computer?

Hello,

I need and want to either upgrade my computer or buy a new one. Mine is Ok but I am not working from home so I tend to run alot of applications and it tends to slow down a bit. I was wondering if it would be cheaper for me to upgrade what I have or just buy a new computer? I am not a gamer, so I dont need a gaming computer, but I do want to integrate it with a home theater system. I will put my current system in here and anyone please let me know your opinion. Thank You.


General
Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Central Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4600+
Graphics
Video Adapter NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GS
Video Memory 512.00 MB
Screen Resolution 1280 x 1024
Storage
Total Memory 3.25 GB
Free Memory 1.37 GB
Central Processor
CPU Name AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4600+
Code Name Model 11, Stepping 1
Manufactory AuthenticAMD
Current Clock Speed 2409 Mhz
Max Clock Speed 2409 Mhz
Voltage Unknown
External Clock NULL Mhz
Serial Number NULL
CPU ID x86 Family 15 Model 43 Stepping 1
Socket Designation NULL
Motherboard
Model
Manufactory
Serial Number
BIOS Name )Phoenix - Award WorkstationBIOS v6.00PG
BIOS Vendor NULL
SMBIOS Version NULL
BIOS Date 7/18/2006
BIOS Features
Memory Resource
Total Memory 3.25 GB
Used Memory 1.87 GB
Free Memory 1.37 GB
Memory Usage 0 Byte
Disk Drives
Name MAXTOR STM3200820AS
Media Type Fixed hard disk media
Capability 186.31 GB
Interface Type IDE
Partitions 2
Total Cylinders 25841
Total Heads 240
Total Sectors 390715920
Total Tracks 6201840
Tracks Per Cylinder 240
Bytes Per Sector 512
Sectors Per Track 63
S.M.A.R.T Support Yes
Current Temperature 0C (32F)
Disk Drives
Name WDC WD2500JB-00REA0
Media Type Fixed hard disk media
Capability 232.88 GB
Interface Type IDE
Partitions 2
Total Cylinders 30401
Total Heads 255
Total Sectors 488392065
Total Tracks 7752255
Tracks Per Cylinder 255
Bytes Per Sector 512
Sectors Per Track 63
S.M.A.R.T Support Yes
Current Temperature 0C (32F)
CD-ROM Drive
Name HL-DT-ST DVD-RAM GH22LP20
Drive G:
Transfer Rate 2016
Status OK
IDE Controller
Name Standard Dual Channel PCI IDE Controller
Manufactory (Standard IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers)
Status OK
IDE Controller
Name Primary IDE Channel
Manufactory (Standard IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers)
Status OK
IDE Controller
Name Secondary IDE Channel
Manufactory (Standard IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers)
Status OK
IDE Controller
Name NVIDIA nForce4 Serial ATA Controller
Manufactory NVIDIA Corporation
Status OK
IDE Controller
Name NVIDIA nForce4 Serial ATA Controller
Manufactory NVIDIA Corporation
Status OK
Video Adapter
Name NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GS
Video Processor GeForce 7300 GS
Manufactory NVIDIA
Video Architecture VGA
DAC Type Integrated RAMDAC
Memory Size 512.00 MB
Memory Type Unknown
Video Mode 1280 x 1024 x 4294967296 colors
Current Refresh Rate 75 Hz
Driver Version 6.14.12.6724
Driver Date 2/23/2011 9:57:00 AM

Sound Device
Name USB Audio Device
Manufactory (Generic USB Audio)
Status OK
Mouse
Name USB Human Interface Device
Manufactory KME Inc.
Buttons 3
Status OK
Keyboard
Name USB Human Interface Device
Description Enhanced (101- or 102-key)
Function Keys 12
Status OK
USB Controller
Product Name Standard OpenHCD USB Host Controller
Manufactory (Standard USB Host Controller)
Protocol Supported Universal Serial Bus
Status OK
USB Controller
Product Name Standard Enhanced PCI to USB Host Controller
Manufactory (Standard USB Host Controller)
Protocol Supported Universal Serial Bus
Status OK

Please perform the following, so that we can get the exact specs of your computer. This will better assist us in helping you more.

Publish a Snapshot using Speccy

The below is for those who cannot get online

Please take caution when attaching a text file to your post if you cannot copy/paste the link to your post, you will need to edit it to make sure that your Windows Key is not present.

<<...so I tend to run alot of applications and it tends to slow down a bit...>>

That's normal for any system. The more that you ask it to do, the harder it works...what you call "slowing down". That's why a system generally is speedy when first acquired...and becomes just a bit slower as more and more apps are installed and are running.

Louis

That should run relatively well for most tasks, but as more and more programs are loaded into memory and aren't shut down, the system will bog down. My mother uses a similar CPU and RAM amounts, but she has my old GeForce 8800 GTS and Windows 7 64-bit. An upgrade would increase performance, but only becuase of a newer CPU architecture, the ability to use more than 4GB of RAM, and a 64-bit operating system. I'm not sure which motherboard you have now.

http://speccy.piriform.com/results/Bl0GFTvBFJxznElDGYZSxxu


You were just wanting the link correct and not for me to paste the results in here? If I need to do that let me know. And thank you everyone for your help.

You might want to upgrade the graphics card. First can you check the wattage of the power supply? Also could you identify the size of the case or you can take a photo of it if your not sure.