Available bandwidth is becoming a problem as more providers are trying to leverage themselves. In the older days, it was one modem for every ten customers. The problem today is more and more people are staying longer and longer on the internet and the ratio is 15 to 20 per modem when it should be 5 to 10. Older AOL users know all about this and remember the dial-up problems. Those without a modem speed software program can only guess the reason for the slowness.
Available bandwidth is a growing problem.
You need to call and wait on the line to find out if this is available at your location. Also at Fry's they will allow you to up-grade. This does not mean they are defective. The AMD 400mhz is quite a price. You also may be able to use your existing ram.