zjrog

Perineum. I bruised my tailbone rollerblading 29 years ago, I do know that pain too well!! Perineum is what bugs me on my indoor trainer. I wear an AFO brace on my left ankle, and half to use a midfoot position on the pedals. So I don't stand on the pedals much. (As a Clyde, I've broken pedals standing out of the saddle, but that was years ago...)

On the PC side of things, I was gifted a PC, newer than my old gaming machine, but still an old machine. A Dell Inspiron 530s. It is a slimline case, very little room for upgrades. But, it loaded Windows 10 just fine, and Zwift was loading as I called it a night.

Edit: I am happy right now, moved my video card and SSD over. I ordered 8gb RAM to replace the 1 on the board, will update the BIOS to accept the RAM. After the memory gets here I'll take a spin on Zwift with it. Surprisingly, the 530s case might be about a perfect fit in the old sewing machine cabinet.

zjrog

Memory arrived today. Installed it and ran the updated BIOS.

Considering the age of this machine, and somexresearch online, I was expecting the updated BIOS to accept 8gb RAM. And this older RAM is cheap $30 for 8gb...

I tried running Zwift on 1gb RAM, but it kept freezing and closing after a couple minutes. So I was pleasantly surprised when it ran in just watching mode for 2 hours after the RAM upgrade.



So, I took a very short spin tonight to make sure everything worked. And I'm pretty happy.


I honestly don't remember seeing thecword Kinetic on the back of my avatar's jersey. Or as much detail in the grass and trees. All in all, I think this will work.

So for those that have followed along, original PC just wasn't going to cut it. A free computer from a friend saved the day, and the video card purchased for the original PC fits and works great in the replacement PC. Original PC can still serve a purpose running Linux as a file and media server, so the added memory wasn't wasted..

Current specs for the Dell slimline PC include the 8gb memory upgrade, the 128gb SSD and DVD recorder purchased for the other machine, and the 2gb video card. Updating this machine was about $140. I want to add a faster network card, maybe more USB ports. And we'll see if the CPU is up to the task, but a replacent Core 2 processor in this socket is pretty inexpensive. As stated, I'm cheap, and sub $50 processors are cheap.

Stress testing the system tomorrow morning, group ride 4 in the Tour of Watopia. I'll let you know how it goes.

zjrog

Ride went well. Updated old PC ran just fine. Need a new battery for my HRM belt. And my companion app kicked out and wouldn't log back in. Meh. First world problems...

Compared to using my laptop, scenery detail was much improved. As I expected. I was pleasantly surprised by the added video card passed audio through HDMI to the TV. I realize this older Dell PC is never going to be a gaming machine, and could have just used a a hard drive I had sitting around instead of the SSD. A newer used PC might have been a better start, but this will suffice. I have ordered a faster network card, as I am upgrading my home network anyway. I'm not sure replacing the CPU will add any value at this time.

Now to finish cleaning the unit up, and see about fitting it in that sewing machine cabinet.

zjrog

Kicked my rear end. Glad that tour is done. I really need to get a different seat. After the 1 hour 40 minute mark and I was getting uncomfortable.

But, the upgraded old PC chugged along just fine. And I'm happy for that. I decided to upgrade to a newer processor after last night, replacing the original Core 2 E2160 with a E8400. It is cheap, used, about $15... Andvthen leaving this PC alone...


Of course, another freebie landed in my lap. No idea what to do with it yet, it needed some minor solder repair of the motherboard, but runs ok. Built around 2010. So newer...

zjrog

Best $8.42 I think I ever spent on a PC. I bought a used cpu and fully expected it to be dead. Instead, makes this old PC RIP!

Giving my Perineum a break for another day before jumping on the bike again. All in all, a very successful, inexpensive upgrade.

guachi

Upgrading from a 2013 laptop with integrated Intel graphics to a 2020 laptop with an add-on GPU was a huge upgrade. Combined with a variable refresh rate screen up to 120 Hz from 60 and it was wonderful.

If you ever get the chance, I definitely recommend a better and faster screen, assuming you have a video card that can run it.

zjrog

I'm planning to replace my 2016 laptop in the next 9 months or so. I am interested in a replacement laptop with better graphics, and potentially upgradeable.

Replacing my 50" screen just isn't in the cards presently. But I will look at the available settings just in case. I don't think my GeForce GT710 can manage a higher refresh tate or not. Again. Will look at the specs and see.

Thanks for the tips!