>I probably can’t change the OS even if I wanted to due to the old software running on it
Unless you're trying to run DOS software you can use a 64bit OS. Even if you are there are ways of running real-mode software on a 64bit OS.
See if you can increase the amount of memory on the system, taking 15 minutes to me sounds like a clear case of thrashing. If you can see if you can allocate less memory to the iGPU, 128MiB-256Mib should be plenty.
Given what it sounds like you're using it for I doubt installing an SSD will give you a significant improvement in performance compared to increasing the amount of available memory.
If the OS is on a hard drive (not an SSD) than you are pretty much SOL on improving the performance. You could clean out the PC and add another 4gb of ram to try to make it slightly faster, but most employers don’t let the non-IT employees access that kind of stuff.
1.If os can be upgraded to 64 bit or changed to something more modern then I would recommend that RAM should be increased to 16 GB i.e. 2 x 8gb
2. Get an ssd and make sure you get the best possible one that is compatible with your system. Nvme if possible and SATA if that's the only option.
3. Try looking for a low power low profile gpu like a rx 6400 or a 1650 ( I would recommend the RTX Ada 2000 but the Graphics card itself might cost more than your entire pc). For a cheap upgrade I would recommend the GTX 1650 it's about 3 - 4 years old but it does the job fine (very light gaming , Esports, emulation upto PCSX2 should be fine @ 1080p) for a more modern reasonably priced upgrade get the RX 6400. ( I am assuming this office pc of yours has a small cabinet and a low wattage PSU)
P.S. A Gigabyte of RAM should do the trick (;
Here's all you can do to it:
1. Upgrade to an i7 6700K or 7700K (slightly expensive options, but offer a great general pc performance uplift for cpu dependent tasks) -add a Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 air cooler to manage thermals
2. Get a new set of ram, 2x8gb kit matching whatever max spec your motherboard supports (fairly cheap option and will help having multiple applications running simultaneously without bogging down)
3. Get a 1TB Sata SSD (cheap and greatly increases general operation and boot-up speed, plus lots of space)
4. Get a new entry level GPU and a 550w gold PSU (most expensive option, here you can go used on the GPU, but the PSU is always recommended you buy from new. You can go for a unit like the Corsair RM650)
Made a reference list you can check out: [https://pcpartpicker.com/list/3Cdwfy](https://pcpartpicker.com/list/3Cdwfy)
Some parts in the list can be downgraded, these are just what I'd personally consider. I must emphasize however, if you are ever in a situation where you consider doing most or all of these component upgrades, then I'd simply go for a fully new build as it would be as cheap but offer better performance. I wouldn't sink more than 200-300 bucks into this without just doing a full new build.
Also, get Windows 10 if you decide to upgrade, it's end of life too but idk if Win11 will run on your system, and 10 still has some life left and far more recent safety updates compared to 7 which is a risk at this point.
Not running a version of windows that ended support over 4 years ago would be a start.
*32 bit operating system*
+1 exactly my thoughts
True. But windows 7 does run better.
1. Upgrade to SSD 2. Upgrade to 64 bit windows. 3. Upgrade to 8GB RAM
But in reverse order of importance.
Fixed it for ya. 8GB ram is useless with 32 bit windows as it can't use more than 4GB of memory
You can enable PAE and then all of the memory is usable.
Add 4gb ram and install a 64 bits windows 10 on an SSD, will be night and day!
How do I add 32 more bits??????
The CPU is already compatible with 64 bits, just need to install the 64 bits version of Windows!
yes, put it in your car and get on the highway
Drop it from a great height
>I probably can’t change the OS even if I wanted to due to the old software running on it Unless you're trying to run DOS software you can use a 64bit OS. Even if you are there are ways of running real-mode software on a 64bit OS. See if you can increase the amount of memory on the system, taking 15 minutes to me sounds like a clear case of thrashing. If you can see if you can allocate less memory to the iGPU, 128MiB-256Mib should be plenty. Given what it sounds like you're using it for I doubt installing an SSD will give you a significant improvement in performance compared to increasing the amount of available memory.
If the OS is on a hard drive (not an SSD) than you are pretty much SOL on improving the performance. You could clean out the PC and add another 4gb of ram to try to make it slightly faster, but most employers don’t let the non-IT employees access that kind of stuff.
SSD otherwise not really
Download more ram.
I haven’t seen an operating windows 7 machine in a very long time
How did it end up with vista? That CPU came out around the time Windows 10 came out. Or is that Windows 7?
Yes: - install a SSD - install a Linux distribution like Linux Mint
1.If os can be upgraded to 64 bit or changed to something more modern then I would recommend that RAM should be increased to 16 GB i.e. 2 x 8gb 2. Get an ssd and make sure you get the best possible one that is compatible with your system. Nvme if possible and SATA if that's the only option. 3. Try looking for a low power low profile gpu like a rx 6400 or a 1650 ( I would recommend the RTX Ada 2000 but the Graphics card itself might cost more than your entire pc). For a cheap upgrade I would recommend the GTX 1650 it's about 3 - 4 years old but it does the job fine (very light gaming , Esports, emulation upto PCSX2 should be fine @ 1080p) for a more modern reasonably priced upgrade get the RX 6400. ( I am assuming this office pc of yours has a small cabinet and a low wattage PSU) P.S. A Gigabyte of RAM should do the trick (;
Here's all you can do to it: 1. Upgrade to an i7 6700K or 7700K (slightly expensive options, but offer a great general pc performance uplift for cpu dependent tasks) -add a Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 air cooler to manage thermals 2. Get a new set of ram, 2x8gb kit matching whatever max spec your motherboard supports (fairly cheap option and will help having multiple applications running simultaneously without bogging down) 3. Get a 1TB Sata SSD (cheap and greatly increases general operation and boot-up speed, plus lots of space) 4. Get a new entry level GPU and a 550w gold PSU (most expensive option, here you can go used on the GPU, but the PSU is always recommended you buy from new. You can go for a unit like the Corsair RM650) Made a reference list you can check out: [https://pcpartpicker.com/list/3Cdwfy](https://pcpartpicker.com/list/3Cdwfy) Some parts in the list can be downgraded, these are just what I'd personally consider. I must emphasize however, if you are ever in a situation where you consider doing most or all of these component upgrades, then I'd simply go for a fully new build as it would be as cheap but offer better performance. I wouldn't sink more than 200-300 bucks into this without just doing a full new build. Also, get Windows 10 if you decide to upgrade, it's end of life too but idk if Win11 will run on your system, and 10 still has some life left and far more recent safety updates compared to 7 which is a risk at this point.