SRL Archive - Discussions & Debates

I just have quite a basic desktop, a 2Ghz intel core 2 Duo, 2GB 66 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, and obviously a macintosh hd.

What I was curious about was how can i improve my mac's performance, through the cpu, the hard drive anything really. Any tips are much appreciated :D

ram is pretty cheap yet effective. try http://www.crucial.com/

Seems to be the main answer wherever i look haha. I just want some beast comp o.O just getting used to running Wine, which runs simba, just not fast enough!

could always try a new motherboard, but i suppose you may aswell get a new comp. <3 macs

Don't buy a new motherboard or hard drive, that won't make any performance difference and will just waste your money. Can you post a link to the exact computer you have?

From: Nebula
Don't buy a new motherboard or hard drive, that won't make any performance difference and will just waste your money. Can you post a link to the exact computer you have?

I have a hard time agreeing with that. If you buy an SSD, your computer will feel much faster. Putting in 8GB of RAM will also make the machine a little snappier, as it will keep more in the RAM for fast access. The RAM will only run you about $40-50 too from NewEgg.

Crucial said i just need to get more memory etc, but i just think they do what they can to get money out of you. And i 'believe' my computer to be on here, http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_mac/family/imac/select
the 21.5 inch one. I mean is there no quick fixes? To be quite honest i can't fault my mac, had it like 2 years now, and never had a problem with it. Since i was younger i've always had windows, and always had problems. This is fast enough, but not for my needs?

From: shstiger2009
I have a hard time agreeing with that. If you buy an SSD, your computer will feel much faster. Putting in 8GB of RAM will also make the machine a little snappier, as it will keep more in the RAM for fast access. The RAM will only run you about $40-50 too from NewEgg.

An SSD would only make programs that are installed to it load faster. The 15 seconds less load time is not worth the $100+SSD. And for all we know his computer might not even support sata.

Considering the processor is 2ghz and the ram is 2gb, there's no way his motherboard could support 8gb. I'm guessing his computer is from <200, back then 4gb is the max. You also need to realize that ddr2 ram is a lot more expensive than ddr3 ram. ddr2 ram is $120+ for 8gb. Even if the motherboard has a 8gb capability, it would most likely be bottlenecked by the cpu. His best bet will be to replace his current ram with 2x2gb 1066ghz ddr2 ram.

But before anything can be determined for sure he needs to post more specs.

Please run bootcamp on it and then run CPU-Z and send me a picture of all the screens. Most likely, it has a Socket M (essentially laptop) CPU, and has SO-DIMM DDR2 memory. Both are hard to upgrade and you'll need to disassemble a LOT. It's possible and the best upgrade should only run you around $100 for a 2.33ghz intel core 2 duo (socket m again, i mind you). Then you can acquire 4 gigs of ram or more (should be around $60 since ddr2 is pricier than ddr3).

How do I know this? I was doing a mini itx build that resembles an imac with its internals. It's a pain in the ass, believe me.

From: butterlyr
Crucial said i just need to get more memory etc, but i just think they do what they can to get money out of you. And i 'believe' my computer to be on here, http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_mac/family/imac/select
the 21.5 inch one. I mean is there no quick fixes? To be quite honest i can't fault my mac, had it like 2 years now, and never had a problem with it. Since i was younger i've always had windows, and always had problems. This is fast enough, but not for my needs?

the 21.5inch one simply cannot be your computer. That one has 4gb of ram and a 2.5ghz processor. Yours does not.

Nebula, i believe thats the newer model to my one, I didn't have time to find the exact one, I was just thinking their might have been quick fix's that can just run the performance up a bit, I may as well just get a new comp otherwise :P

Get ram, it's the most cost effective upgrade :).

From: butterlyr
I just have quite a basic desktop, a 2Ghz intel core 2 Duo, 2GB 66 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, and obviously a macintosh hd.

What I was curious about was how can i improve my mac's performance, through the cpu, the hard drive anything really. Any tips are much appreciated :D

I think you forgot to add a number before that 66 MHz ^^

If you have the cash $(400+) I would advise building a new computer.

On a personal note, unless you're into the mac interface I would advise making the switch, or even switch to linux as you can custom mod it to be identical to a mac for about a quarter of the price :sasmokin:

"Mac."

There's the problem.

From: wyn10
"Mac."

There's the problem.

It's the solution

There's no such thing as Mac only hardware… ;)

Tell me your budget on a new computer and what you will be using it for (general use, hardcore gaming, etc) and I could give you a list of parts for you to build your own computer, or link you to a prebuilt one.