Dell (mine anyway) list the memory type and speed in the user manual. You should also be able to see the actual RAM fitted from the Dell 'system scan' utility (if it has one). I saved all the information from these when I originally got the PC, and very useful they are for referring back to. Once I clean installed I ditched all the Dell bloatware.
I don't expect you to really see a difference in performance of the web browser with more RAM. Windows will use RAM if it's available. The key is not that the RAM i used, but rather if it's available. Windows will cache stuff in RAM to increase performance.
From the specs of the machine, it seems that the motherboard only supports speeds up to 1066 MHz. You can use faster RAM, but it will only clock at 1066. If this were a desktop, you could probably overclock the RAM, but laptops do not allow that sort of thing. You could check in BIOS and see what the maximum speed the machine could clock RAM is, but I think you'll find that the max is 1066.
As for an upgrade to 8 GB, It is supported by the laptop, and I think that it will make your machine perform better (as it uses shared memory with the graphics adapter, and this limits the RAM available to applications). Note that it probably won't affect your download speed, or the speed of loading web pages. That is internet related.
Try the free SPECCY from Piriform - Download CCleaner - Millions of users worldwide!, gives a lot of information.
I would NOT upgrade anything on that computer. Not worth the money. That AMD E450 is extremely slow, your HDD is very old and most likely also extremely slow. Upgrading the HDD and RAM would help but with a bit of more investment, you get a brand new computer that is 10x faster in total specs and most likely 100x faster in real performance. I suggest you go for a new computer rather than upgrading the current one as it would be expensive to upgrade and you won't get much of a benefit from it in the long run.
But before you consider buying a new computer, try to reinstall Windows (clean install) after you have made a full system backup of all your important files. I think that Windows is your biggest problem atm.
An SSD will speed up anything that uses the Page file, No? Including web browsing? If you have a small amount of RAM I would think the page file would see more use. What other programs are running will impact this also. IMHO, switching to an SSD improving web browsing isn't all that far fetched. Granted, the improvement may not be as much as just adding more RAM.
Installing an SSD will dramatically improve performance over a 5400 RPM spinner drive. If you can't afford a new PC that is. IMHO its well worth the investment. It could also be moved to another PC at a latter date if and when you buy a new PC. Just my 2 cents.
Hi,
After 5 years or so you would be doing some basic servicing tasks such as a new HDD, replacing BIOS settings battery.
Also upgrades like 8 GB of RAM can be done at the same time. Better done now rather than later.
Whilst the HDD and BIOS settings battery might be good at the moment they won't last much longer.
Software/Application servicing should be ongoing, again a lot of people just leave it for 5 years then think about it.
All of this is general stuff. You will need to go to 64 bit Windows to use the 8 GB.
Your Download Speed impacts on your loading of web pages not the hardware which is basically no problem
Along with that you should check on possible Malware, and if your Internet service is shared with other machines how much they are using.
As far as RAM modules, and 64 bit compatibility go I would get as much detail as you can from Dell, I'm not keen on using Crucial, your list from them is confusing.
Higher speed RAM modules are pricier and may not be useable in your machine anyway. i.e. the 1866 stuff in that list.
If in doubt use the same speed as is already installed maybe slightly faster. A small increase in RAM speed is almost unmeasurable in overall performance terms.
The 8 GB of RAM will improve the general performance of Windows and Application, more room for manoeuvres as in post #12
These are targeted low cost basic upgrades/servicing that will keep it going for a few years to come.
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