[joecherian]

Hi, I have an IBM Think centre E 50 ( model 9215) which I purchased some 4 years back. It has 256 MB RAM which, makes it literally crawl. Though I use my laptop for normal home use, some times, I long to go back to the desktop, but then this crawling desktop makes me sick. Hence, was wondering what can be done to bring it up to "my" speed. The processor is pentium 4 , 2.66 Ghz. Is it enough if I just replace the RAM with a 2 GB stick or, do I have to change the motherboard/processor ? Any rough estimates of the costs involved ?

[theMAG]

A 2/4 GB RAM upgrade will work wonders.

[joecherian]

Originally Posted by theMAG

A 2/4 GB RAM upgrade will work wonders.

Does this imply I will have to change the motherboard ? I am not sure whether the Thinkcentre e50 series has enough slots to accomodate multiple strips of RAM ? I am yet to open the case as it is sealed for warranty ( though I am not sure whether the product is still under warranty)

[cooldude1988765]

After 4 years highly doubt if your desktop is still under warranty. Most probably you will not need to change the mobo, usually there are 4 slots for ram, even if you have 2 get 2 1gb sticks and you are good to go.

[theMAG]

Originally Posted by joecherian

Does this imply I will have to change the motherboard ? I am not sure whether the Thinkcentre e50 series has enough slots to accomodate multiple strips of RAM ? I am yet to open the case as it is sealed for warranty ( though I am not sure whether the product is still under warranty)

Normally, they have 2 slots. remove the existing 256 MB completely and slot in either 1 GB x 2 or 2 GB x 2.

[condor]

Joe & Maggie, not so simple. These older models are often designated as end-of-life & parts may not be available from IBM /Lenovo. Also, many older models had slots that could take only 1 GB modules.

Check / Search for compatible modules. If available, replace existing module with new modules. Else, your only option is to replace the motherboard.

[Spitfire]

You can upgrade the model upto 2GB, there are 2 slots on the motherboard. I think it came with DDR RAM - PC 3200. So 1 GB x 2.

[joecherian]

Originally Posted by condor

Joe & Maggie, not so simple. These older models are often designated as end-of-life & parts may not be available from IBM /Lenovo. Also, many older models had slots that could take only 1 GB modules.

Check / Search for compatible modules. If available, replace existing module with new modules. Else, your only option is to replace the motherboard.

Originally Posted by Spitfire

You can upgrade the model upto 2GB, there are 2 slots on the motherboard. I think it came with DDR RAM - PC 3200. So 1 GB x 2.

I had called up Sogo Computers ( from where I bought this PC) and according to them, the motherboard of this PC doesn't support DDR2. More over, DDR1 seems very costly and mother board can support only 1 GB. So options are, either be happy with 1 GB or change the motherboard. Now, if I opt for change in motherboard, they were not sure whether the existing cabinet supports any other mother board , or else I will have to change the cabinet also. Anyways, am taking the box to them to get their opinion

[cooldude1988765]

In case you have to change the cabinet it might turn out to be more cost effective in the long term if you ust get a new pc.

[clevermax]

Joe, Why don't you throw away the old laptop and get yourself a new one. They aren't so costly these days... or else I'm ready to sell mine for 50K.... interested?

[condor]

@Joe, the upgrade to 1GB should help a lot. And the least cost of the options you have.

[joecherian]

Originally Posted by clevermax

Joe, Why don't you throw away the old laptop and get yourself a new one. They aren't so costly these days... or else I'm ready to sell mine for 50K.... interested?

Sure buddy, I am ready to buy yours provided you can give me your brand new punto as a gift ( for transporting the laptop). Deal ?

[BaCkSeAtDrIVeR]

Originally Posted by joecherian

according to them, the motherboard of this PC doesn't support DDR2. More over, DDR1 seems very costly and mother board can support only 1 GB. So options are, either be happy with 1 GB or change the motherboard. Now, if I opt for change in motherboard, they were not sure whether the existing cabinet supports any other mother board , or else I will have to change the cabinet also. Anyways, am taking the box to them to get their opinion

I got a 512 MB DDR1 memory from Cochin for 1K couple of weeks back. 256 MB SD Ram costed 450/-. It may be possible to use a bigger memory with existing 256 MB memory. (older - 10+ yrs old) MoBos do not support different memory sizes.

Are you sure that yours uses DDR1 and not SDRAM? Look at the boot messages from the BIOS by hitting "pause" as soon as the power is on, and wait till the monitor warms up.

If the bios is too fast for you, simply open the case.

[Comrade]

A quick google search says that IBM Thinkcentre E50 (9215) is minitower (374x458mm). So, in all probability, you are having a micro-ATX mobo (244 x 244 mm). Just throw away (err, sell for peanuts) your old cpu+mobo+ram and get new ones. You would be fine for another 4/5 years.

EDIT: your current system supports DDR 400MHz (PC2-3200) upto 2GB. So, RAM upgrade is not a bad option at all.

[leadf00t]

joe, the best option is to upgrade the RAM as per lenovo's site ur machien support 2GB ram . depending on how many RAM slots u have u might have to pick and choose ur ram sticks
if you have
4 slots - 512MB (max memory stick size ) x 4
2 slots - 1 GB (max memory stick size ) x 2
1 slots - 2 GB (max memory stick size ) x 1

Lenovo Support & downloads - Overview - ThinkCentre E50 (type 9215)

EDIT: just saw hte board layout it has 2 memory slots. use 1GB x 2 memory sticks
Lenovo Support & downloads - System board diagram - 3000 J100 (type 8252, 8253, 8254, 8453, 8454, 8455) / ThinkCentre E50 (type 8472, 8473, 8719, 8771, 8772, 8773, 8774, 8817, 8818, 8819, 9214, 9215, 9216, 9217, 9218, 9219)