Noticeably Better Performance With This System?

[tinker123]

Admin: I wasn't sure where to put this post, so please feel free to move it with no hard feelings. Thanks.

I have a 10 year old system that has held up very well due to having it custom built with all quality parts:

Code: Select all

mint@mint ~ $ inxi -Fz
System:    Host: mint Kernel: 3.2.0-23-generic i686 (32 bit) Desktop: N/A Distro: Linux Mint 13 Maya
Machine:   Mobo: Intel model: D845PESV version: AAA97669-107
           Bios: Intel version: SV84510A.86A.0008.P04.0210201732 date: 10/20/2002
CPU:       Single core Intel Pentium 4 CPU (-UP-) cache: 512 KB flags: (sse sse2) clocked at 2533.242 MHz 
Graphics:  Card: NVIDIA NV18 [GeForce4 MX 440 AGP 8x] X.Org: 1.11.3 driver: vesa Resolution: 1024x768@0.0hz 
           GLX Renderer: Gallium 0.4 on llvmpipe (LLVM 0x300) GLX Version: 2.1 Mesa 8.0.2
Audio:     Card: Creative Labs SB Live! EMU10k1 driver: snd_emu10k1 Sound: ALSA ver: 1.0.24
Network:   Card: Linksys Gigabit Network Adapter driver: r8169 
           IF: eth0 state: up speed: 100 Mbps duplex: full mac: <filter>
Drives:    HDD Total Size: 40.0GB (9.8% used) 1: /dev/sda WDC_WD400BB 40.0GB 
Partition: ID: / size: 754M used: 211M (28%) fs: overlayfs ID: swap-1 size: 1.61GB used: 0.00GB (0%) fs: swap 
Sensors:   Error: You do not have the sensors app installed.
Info:      Processes: 145 Uptime: 1:16 Memory: 402.3/1506.8MB Client: Shell inxi: 1.7.33 
mint@mint ~ $ 

I recently picked up a new computer an office was getting rid of for $25.00:

OS Name Microsoft Windows 7 Professional
Version 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 Build 7601


System Manufacturer Hewlett-Packard
System Model HP Compaq dc5800 Small Form Factor
System Type x64-based PC
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU E7400 @ 2.80GHz, 2800 Mhz, 2 Core(s), 2 Logical Processor(s)
BIOS Version/Date Hewlett-Packard 786F2 v01.53, 8/27/2008
SMBIOS Version 2.5

Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume1

Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "6.1.7601.17514"


Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 2.00 GB
Total Physical Memory 1.97 GB
Available Physical Memory 812 MB
Total Virtual Memory 3.95 GB
Available Virtual Memory 2.63 GB
Page File Space 1.97 GB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys

I was thinking of putting Mint 14 on it as a dual boot with Windows ( and making an image of the hard drive to restore windows in case it becomes corrupted ).

I am wondering if it will be worth the trouble?

Will the newer computer be noticeably faster in performance? With more RAM? Do I need more RAM for it?

Thanks

[viking777]

Of course it is worth the trouble - what other plans do you have for it anyway. 25 bucks is a real steal, well done!

[tinker123]

I tried the Mint 14 Cinnamon LiveDVD and it ran snappier than my older system with Mint installed to the disc.

The "new" box came with Windows 7. I can't think of anything I want Windows for, but in the past there have been times where it would have been handy. I would like to keep it if I can, but I don't have the windows disk, it is a HP, and they spread windows across all 4 primary partitions. If I can find something easily to change that I will, if not next weekend I will just blow windows away and make it my primary box.

[Skara Brae]

Long ago, I, too, got my hands on an old SFF computer by HP (a "Vectra VL420"). Everything got replaced throughout the years, except the processor and the cooler. It is still running fine (although internet is slow - Flash anyone?).

Tinker123, with a bit of luck, that machine will run well for many years to come.

[zrdc28]

This email is from a hp d530 2,66 single core and it works fine with mint 14 kde,

[usbtux]

I tried the Mint 14 Cinnamon LiveDVD and it ran snappier than my older system with Mint installed to the disc.

The "new" box came with Windows 7. I can't think of anything I want Windows for, but in the past there have been times where it would have been handy. I would like to keep it if I can, but I don't have the windows disk, it is a HP, and they spread windows across all 4 primary partitions. If I can find something easily to change that I will, if not next weekend I will just blow windows away and make it my primary box.

Well, I would download PartedMagic livecd/usb and use clonezilla to make a back up of the disk/windows partition
Or you could use Redo livecd/usb and do the same.

You need to back up to a different partition/disk. You cannot back up to the same disk/partition.

Then either delete the recovery partitions and keep windows or use the mint livecd/usb to take over the disk compleatly.