New computer

[fixitflav]

Thanks for that, apologies for my naive questions.

Poor photos, but it looks as if you only have the one memory/ram socket, so all you can do is replace the single 4Gb with an 8Gb stick.

Yes, I'd put it back together before noticing how bad the pics were, but I didn't expect anybody to be able to say "that's the problem" anyway!

The slot in your second photo, is for an expansion card..

What's the difference between an expansion card and an additional RAM?

Win11 laptop I'm using atm, which has a 8Gb single stick- SK Hynix 8GB 1X8GB HMA81GS6AFR8N-UH DDR4 1Rx8 PC4-2400T SODIM Laptop Memory, plus a second empty socket.

Is that an expansion card? So I know what to ask for, if I go that route. Can you give me the supplier? save me searching the web.

 

[fixitflav]

Yes.

I've had quick google for computer shops in S-O-T and come up with lots of shops/dealers.

Thanks, I should have thought of that!

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

What's the difference between an expansion card and an additional RAM?

Video display cards, specialist sound cards, and similar, might go into an expansion slot, at 90 degrees to the motherboard. Your (and my) memory, fit almost flat against the motherboard, as is common these days.

Can you give me the supplier? save me searching the web.

That would be pointless, I bought from an ebay seller only selling the item I needed. As said, take out your 4Mb, photo it, and post it on here, then we can tell you what to search for. There is a vast range, and you need the right thing.

The other way, would be to check the manual, to see what it recommends for the memory type.

 

[fixitflav]

Video display cards, specialist sound cards, and similar, might go into an expansion slot, at 90 degrees to the motherboard. Your (and my) memory, fit almost flat against the motherboard, as is common these days.


That would be pointless, I bought from an ebay seller only selling the item I needed. As said, take out your 4Mb, photo it, and post it on here, then we can tell you what to search for. There is a vast range, and you need the right thing.

OK thanks

 

[RandomGrinch]

Poor photos, but it looks as if you only have the one memory/ram socket, so all you can do is replace the single 4Gb with an 8Gb stick.

There are two sockets, one at right angles to the other.
However, given the use of laptop memory in a desktop computer and the tiny processor (also laptop based?) and heatsink, I would probably recommend a new computer at this point - especially if @fixitflav was uncomfortable changing out the HDD.
The difference will be night and day!

 

[RandomGrinch]

As said, take out your 4Mb, photo it, and post it on here, then we can tell you what to search for. There is a vast range, and you need the right thing.

The existing photos are good enough - the OP has a small form factor Acer Aspire XC-730.
The motherboard is a "Diapll-adam 15139-1" - the maximum amount of Ram supported by the motherboard is 8GB, 1600MHz DDR3 SODIM.
A replacement could be...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Integral-DDR3-1600-SODIMM-Laptop-Memory/dp/B06XNWP2HS

The processor may be a 1.5GHz Pentium J4205, or more likely a 2GHz Celeron J3355.

As before, in my opinion...

I would probably recommend a new computer at this point

...and come on Harry, get your units right - 4 Mega bits!

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

...and come on Harry, get your units right - 4 Mega bits!

They are just impossibly big numbers to me, raised on Kb

 

[fixitflav]

Got a quote as below. Subject to clarifying some points it looks pretty good. to me I don't want to sound like I'm asking you guys to make my decision, but if you have any comments...? Apparently don't usually have a DVD drive these days, but I rarely use that

WINDOWS 11 INSTALLED

£420.00 in Vat

Product Description
Intel i3 12100 Quad Core 8 Thread 3.30GHz (4.30GHz Boost), 8GB Kingston RAM, 1TB Kingston NVMe M.2, Antec VSK Chassis - Pre-Built PC
Processor
Intel Core i3 12100 4 Core Processor Processor 8 Threads, 3.3GHz up to 4.3Ghz Turbo, Alder Lake Socket LGA 1700, 12MB Cache, 60W, Maximum Turbo Power 89W
Processor Cores 4
Processor Threads 8
Core Clock Speed 3.30GHz
Core Boost Speed 4.30GHz

Memory
Kingston Value RAM 8GB No Heatsink DDR4 3200MHz System Memory
Memory Configuration
1 x 8GB
2 Lanes (1 occupied)
SSD Drive
Kingston NV2 (SNV2S/1000G) 1TB NVMe M.2 Interface, PCIe Gen4 x4 2280 SSD, Read 3500 MB/s, Write 2100 MB/s
Format NVMe M.2
Max Read/Write Speeds
Read: Up to 3500MB/S
Write: Up to 2100MB/S

Hard Drive N/A
Optical Drive N/A
Graphics On-Chip Intel UHD Graphics 730
Graphics Base Frequency 300 MHz
Graphics Max Dynamic Frequency 1.40 GHz

Graphics Card I/O N/A
Operating System N/A
Card Reader N/A
Networking N/A
Power Supply
CRONUS 500ATV FX PRO 500W PSU, 140mm Silent Cooling Fan, 80 PLUS Bronze, Non Modular, UK Plug, Flat Black Cables
1 x 20+4 Pin Main
1 x 4+4 Pin 12V
6 x SATA
2 x 4-Pin Molex
2 x 6+2 Pin PCI-e
Motherboard
Gigabyte H610M S2H DDR4 Motherboard, Intel Socket 1700, 12th Gen, Micro ATX, Digital VRM Design, PCIe 4.0, Gen3 x4 M.2, Realtek Gaming LAN, HDMI/DVI/VGA Ports for Multiple Display, Anti-Sulfur Resistor, Smart Fan 6
Expansion Slot
1 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x16
* For optimum performance, if only one PCI Express graphics card is to be installed, be sure to install it in the PCIEX16 slot.
(The PCI Express x16 slot conforms to PCI Express 4.0 standard.)
1 x PCI Express x1 slot
(The PCI Express x1 slot conforms to PCI Express 3.0 standard.)
Storage
Chipset: 1 x M.2 connector (Socket 3, M key, type 2260/2280 PCIe 3.0 x4 SSD support)
4 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors
Rear I/O
1 x PS/2 keyboard port
1 x PS/2 mouse port
1 x D-Sub port
1 x DVI-D port
1 x DisplayPort
1 x HDMI 2.0 port
2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports
4 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports
1 x RJ-45 port
3 x audio jacks
Internal I/O
1 x 24-pin ATX main power connector
1 x 8-pin ATX 12V power connector
1 x M.2 Socket 3 connector
4 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors
1 x CPU fan header
2 x system fan headers
1 x RGB LED strip header
1 x front panel header
1 x front panel audio header
1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 header
2 x USB 2.0/1.1 headers
1 x Trusted Platform Module header (For the GC-TPM2.0 SPI/GC-TPM2.0 SPI 2.0 module only)
1 x serial port header
1 x Clear CMOS jumper
Chassis
ANTEC VSK 10 Case, Home & Business, Black, Micro Tower, 2 x USB 3.0, Micro ATX, Mini-ITX, All-Dimension Superior Airflow
Drive Bays
5.25": 0
3.5"/2.5" Combo: 2
2.5": 2
IO Ports
2 x USB 3.0
HD Mic/Audio
Power
Reset
Cooling
Front: 3 x 120mm / 2 x 140mm
Top: 2 x 120mm / 2 x 140mm
Rear: 1 x 120mm (1 x 120mm fan included)

Dimensions
405 x 205 x 400 mm

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Got a quote as below. Subject to clarifying some points it looks pretty good. to me I don't want to sound like I'm asking you guys to make my decision, but if you have any comments...?

In the early days, I used to buy and build them for friends, but my knowledge is now too out of date to comment.

Apparently don't usually have a DVD drive these days, but I rarely use that

I agree, not much point having CD/DVD, unless you have a particular need for one. Of more use, might be a USB HDD, which you could plug in as necessary, for backup purposes.

 

[fixitflav]

In the early days, I used to buy and build them for friends, but my knowledge is now too out of date to comment.

I agree, not much point having CD/DVD, unless you have a particular need for one. Of more use, might be a USB HDD, which you could plug in as necessary, for backup purposes.

I've ordered that one, old one is with him now to transfer files. Local firm, seems to know what he's doing! Less £££ than I was expecting to pay. He said he could take the HDD from the old one and add it to the new, not sure that would be much advantage, and I'd lose the ability to use the old one for CD/DVD if I ever need it. As you say, other option is USB HDD.

Thanks for your (and others') help on this, much appreciated.

 

[JohnD]

They are just impossibly big numbers to me, raised on Kb

The first computers I worked on had 1024k

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

The first computers I worked on had 1024k

That much, sheer luxury.

 

[opps]

Depends on your usage really. Do you multi-task? If so, 16GB will not only be good for you, but it will be future proof.

I currently got 64gb ram (don't ask why) and I rarely use more than 6 gigs of it.

My laptop only has 8Gb of RAM. The only non-background app that I have open is Chrome (about 30 tabs) and I am currently using 66% of the RAM.

Fortunately I have a SSD so there is no noticeable drop in performance.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

My laptop only has 8Gb of RAM. The only non-background app that I have open is Chrome (about 30 tabs) and I am currently using 66% of the RAM.

Fortunately I have a SSD so there is no noticeable drop in performance.

A double browser, around 16 total tabs, Outlook, and Thunderbird - TM shows 7.8Mb in use of 8Mb. It does tend to get bogged down with more tabs open in Firefox, but I have another 8Gb stick on route to me, which will help. It's a hybrid system 128Mb SSD 1Gb HDD.

 

[JohnD]

That much, sheer luxury.

Cost many millions.