🚀 go-pugleaf

You seemed to have distributed this to enough groups.

In article <817683634.8776@thainjm.demon.co.uk>
           jason@thainjm.demon.co.uk  writes:

> The thing is, since adding the new RAM, I have no noticed no increase
> in performance and I am getting fed-up with my PC's sluggish
> performance. 
> 
If you were not doing a lot of pagefile access with 8-meg then 16-meg
will not make a lot of difference.

> The PC appears to recognise the RAM, i.e. the power-on counter clocks
> up 16,xxx KB. Windows 95 also recognises that the RAM is there and
> says I have a 16 MB machine.
> 
It appears that the memory is OK.

> My graphics card is part of the motherboard, necessitating jumpers if
> I add a new graphics card.
> 
I assume that you also have intergrated I/O as well, also NOT EIDE.

> I then asked them for details of what I could put in in the way of
> overdrive chips, and they told me the only option was a P24T overdrive
> chip which would increase the clock to between 70-80 MHz. Would this
> give a noticeable performance increase?
> 
Yes, but I believe the blue lighting is also pin compatible with the
Intel DX2-66, thus you should be able plug in a 5v DX4-100.  Its cheaper
but the preforance difference is not so clear-cut, but it is much cheaper.


> So, how can I improve my PC's performance? i.e.
> 
> 1. What processor upgrades ARE possible?
> 
Either a DX4-100, Pentium overdrive or Cyrix M1se (?)

> 2. I have heard that I may need to rearrange my memory so that the 8MB
> SIMM is in the first slot, followed by the two 4MB SIMMs. True or
> false?
> 
Some motherboards the SIMM order is definied, in most it does not mater.
Check the manual.

> 3. I have heard that some motherboards need paired SIMMs, i.e. having
> one SIMM and adding two is a no-no. True or false?
> 
False on a 486.  The 72-pin simms offer 32-bit access which is fine for
a 486.  If you had a Pentium and a non-VIA board then you would need to
add in pairs.

> My system manual (what there is of it!) says:
> System memory configurations - any combination of industry standard
> 72-pin SIMMs, of sizes 1, 2, 4, 8 or 16MB, access time 70ns (or
> faster) using sockets J2, J19, J20 and J18).
>
This sounds like the SIMM order does not mater.

> It also mentions 82C3481XM and 82C3482AP chipsets and an upgrade
> processor ZIF socket.
> 
Sound like the control chipset, ignore.  The ZIF socket is a good
sign.

> 4 What voltage IS my motherboard/processor? I am not 100% convinced by
> the info given to me Colossus.
> 
Its 5v, I do not think that the Blue-lighting boards came with option to
change to 3.3v

> 5. Is a replacement motherboard a viable option? If so, which one and
> how much?
> 
If you have the cash anythink is possible.

Triton motherboard - 150 (inc multi I/O on board)
               P90 - 150
      PCI gfx Card - 100

Also you will need to swap the 8 meg for 2 x 4 megs.

> 6. Is a replacement graphics card a viable option? My current one is
> part of the motherboard. If so, which and how much? Or what do I do to
> upgrade it?
> 
Possible, budget around 100 pounds for a DS 64.  You did not mention
which CL chipset it is.  I am guessing on a 5426, in which its not
the faster thing around, but it should be OK.  You will need to spend
> 150 to see a BIG improvement.


After the processor upgrade, you might also which to upgrade the disk
sub-system.  I notice you are using a pair of old IDE drives.  If you
have spare VL-slot (which you do), plug in a mode 4 capaible EIDE 
controller and get your self a mode 4 EIDE drive.

> 
> Please reply directly to jason@thainjm.demon.co.uk 
NO, READ THE GROUP(s)


Overall, if you have the money get yourself a new Pentium motherboard,
CPU, PCI GFX card and a mode 4 HDD.

Else a Pentium overdrive & new drive sub-system & gfx card

Else a DX4-100 & drive sub-system.

-- 
Rajesh Varia     raj@c4rv.demon.co.uk