Computer Memory Question

[JASII]

I inherited an old Hewlett Packard Pavilion 512W and I want to upgrade the memory. On my first search I found this:

Amazon.com: 256MB PC133 8 Chip 168pin SDRAM Memory Upgrade: Electronics <http://www.amazon.com/256MB-PC133-168pin-Memory-Upgrade/dp/B0046716GU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1306367211&sr=8-1> I would need two of these and $16.80 shipped to my door looked very attractive.


I then Googled and found several different 256MB PC133 SDRAM choices from this company:

256MB SDRAM PC133 133Mhz 168 pin DIMM CL3 8 chips (High Density 8 Chip)


256MB SDRAM PC133 133Mhz 168 pin DIMM (Non-Parity)


256MB SDRAM PC133 CL3 ECC 133Mhz 168 pin DIMM (ECC)


256MB SDRAM PC133 CL3 ECC Registered 133Mhz 168 pin DIMM (ECC, Registered)


I am assuming that any of these would work, but I am just having difficulty determining the significance of High Density 8 Chip, Non-Parity, ECC, and ECC/Registered. Is it correct to assume that the one through the store via Amazon is not a name brand and is not guaranteed? At any rate, if anybody can help me determine which I should select, it would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks in advance!


I think I want non-ECC since I believe I read it is a bit faster and ECC is only necessary for servers.

 

[poltergeisty]

You need to make sure your RAM is either ECC or Non ECC pluse registered or not. Those are two huge factors.

I see PC100. Motherboard Specifications, TriGem 011027 (Lomita) HP Pavilion 512w Desktop PC (US/CAN) - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

Looks like non ECC. HP Pavilion 512W RAM Memory Upgrades

 

[lgentle]

I love memory configurators.

Computer memory upgrades for HP - Compaq Pavilion 512w Desktop/PC from Crucial.com

Call them for dummies, but, I love 'em!

 

[kb0nly]

I always use crucial to double check what memory a computer needs also, i never buy from them, just use them like a search engine as they are overpriced... LOL

 

[gambill1]

go here

Computer Memory - 4 All Memory just follow the menus and it will tell you what memory you need. I have used this before.

 

[JASII]

Hewlett Packard Pavilion 512W Upgrade

I ended up buying a pair of 256MB PC133 SDRAM from Arch Memory. They gave excellent customer service online, thus they got my business. So, that brought me from a 128 GB of RAM to 512 GB of RAM. Needless to say, the old Hewlett Packard Pavilion 512W is now probably performing better than it ever has in its life! A couple of other follow up questions. I have done the following:

-Quadrupled the RAM

-Upgraded the Operating System from Microsoft Windows XP to Windows XP Service Pack 3

-I added Mozilla Firefox and upgraded from Internet Explorer 6 to Internet Explorer 8

-Added Comodo Internet Security for protection

What are some other easy and/or cheap upgrades that I ought to consider? Granted, I don't want to put much money into a nine year old computer, but I figured that for $38 it was worth the RAM upgrade. The OS, Comodo, and web browser just cost me my time. I do also have a 26" Samsung on order for a different computer, so the Hewlett Packard Pavilion 512W will eventually be connected to a newer Samsung 19" display. (The old CRT monitor can retire.) The HP does not have DVD. Are they easy to install? Would it even be worth adding a DVD drive to a nine year old computer?

I have ran across this to upgrade to replace the processor in the HP. And some of the the same questions come to mind? Is it expensive to buy a newer, faster processor and is it even worthwhile on a computer this old?
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=bph07139&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&product=83499

 

[JASII]

I ended up buying a pair of 256MB PC133 SDRAM from Arch Memory. They gave excellent customer service online, thus they got my business. So, that brought me from a 128 GB of RAM to 512 GB of RAM. Needless to say, the old Hewlett Packard Pavilion 512W is now probably performing better than it ever has in its life! A couple of other follow up questions. I have done the following:

-Quadrupled the RAM

-Upgraded the Operating System from Microsoft Windows XP to Windows XP Service Pack 3

-I added Mozilla Firefox and upgraded from Internet Explorer 6 to Internet Explorer 8

-Added Comodo Internet Security for protection

What are some other easy and/or cheap upgrades that I ought to consider? Granted, I don't want to put much money into a nine year old computer, but I figured that for $38 it was worth the RAM upgrade. The OS, Comodo, and web browser just cost me my time. I do also have a 26" Samsung on order for a different computer, so the Hewlett Packard Pavilion 512W will eventually be connected to a newer Samsung 19" display. (The old CRT monitor can retire.) The HP does not have DVD. Are they easy to install? Would it even be worth adding a DVD drive to a nine year old computer?

I have ran across this to upgrade to replace the processor in the HP. And some of the the same questions come to mind? Is it expensive to buy a newer, faster processor and is it even worthwhile on a computer this old?
Upgrading or Replacing the Processor HP Pavilion 512w Desktop PC (US/CAN) - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

From what I have found so far, it looks like it would not be worth money or effort to upgrade the CPU. I also have been thinking about the expansion slots. This does not have a DVD drive. It looks like for about $50 I can add a DVD drive. Then, the more I think about it, I think I have convinced myself that an external DVD drive might be a better choice in this case.

I have also thought about an internal TV or radio tuner, but it looks like the ones on Hauppauge Hauppauge Computer Works need a faster processor. Does anybody here have any recommendations on an internal radio and/or TV tuner that will work with a computer this old?