Hi. I have a two-year-old Dell 2400 on a Celeron processor at 2.4 GHz. A GB of RAM helps the computer's speed, but I think upgrading the processor is finally in order.
I, first of all, want to make sure upgrading it is worth it. I run a lot of memory-consuming programs like Photoshop, Illustrator, etc. simultaneously without rebooting for days at a time. Opening these programs takes at least two minutes each, the first problem. The computer has also become fairly slow when it comes to iamge processing - When working with a 2000x4000 pixel image in Photoshop, even resizing it will take abouta minute depending on the change being made.
So would a new processor be likely to help out here?
If so,what processor? I'm thinking if going to AMD, as I've been hearing that they're really beginning to overthrow Intel in many areas and come for less money. The most I'd be able to afford right now is probably an Anthon 64, such as this one. That's about the right price for me.
Lastly, bout the motherboard - my main concern. Is a new Anthon 64 (or or other processor) likely to be compatible with my two-year-old Dell motherboard, with integrated graphics? getting a new motherboard is fair enough, but I won't if I don't have to. My curent motherboard also has a PC2700 512MB RAM chip and a 512MB PC3200. I know one is slowing down the other, I'll see about replacing the slower one, but will these chips work on a new motherboard should I need one?
I know that's a huge pile of questions, but I'd be really appreciative if you could try your best to answer some of them. Thanks a lot in advance.
I, first of all, want to make sure upgrading it is worth it. I run a lot of memory-consuming programs like Photoshop, Illustrator, etc. simultaneously without rebooting for days at a time. Opening these programs takes at least two minutes each, the first problem. The computer has also become fairly slow when it comes to iamge processing - When working with a 2000x4000 pixel image in Photoshop, even resizing it will take abouta minute depending on the change being made.
So would a new processor be likely to help out here?
If so,what processor? I'm thinking if going to AMD, as I've been hearing that they're really beginning to overthrow Intel in many areas and come for less money. The most I'd be able to afford right now is probably an Anthon 64, such as this one. That's about the right price for me.
Lastly, bout the motherboard - my main concern. Is a new Anthon 64 (or or other processor) likely to be compatible with my two-year-old Dell motherboard, with integrated graphics? getting a new motherboard is fair enough, but I won't if I don't have to. My curent motherboard also has a PC2700 512MB RAM chip and a 512MB PC3200. I know one is slowing down the other, I'll see about replacing the slower one, but will these chips work on a new motherboard should I need one?
I know that's a huge pile of questions, but I'd be really appreciative if you could try your best to answer some of them. Thanks a lot in advance.