Crash Course on Upgrading Your PC

by Kay Brener

Investing in a new computer can be quite a hassle, especially if you do not have too much money to spend on the latest gadget. If you still want to play some new release of video games that are simply too much for your old computer, then the right solution to your problem is named upgrade. This method will end up costing you less money, but you need to be smart about it.

Your battle plan must start with a little inspection of your current computer configuration. As you well know, some components are easier to upgrade than others, and some, - not necessarily the most expensive ones - , may lead to the dreamed increase in performance. For instance, purchasing and installing a new CPU is more of a hassle than buying some extra RAM. Also, the newly bought RAM will make your computer run faster and you will not regret your choice.

The list of priorities for IT purchases must always start with the RAM. A little word of caution is necessary: take a look at your motherboard manual and other documentation concerning your existing hardware and see which type of RAM you must purchase. If the new RAM is not compatible with the rest of the computer, then it will be just wasted cash.

Here are a few things to ponder before obtaining more memory: If a memory module’s access time is low, it’ll support a CPU with a high bus rate, and if your CPU has a high bus frequency, it’ll behoove you to buy high quality memory.

Another aspect that must stand at the foundation of your upgrade plan is the main uses your machine performs for. If you are a 3D video games fanatic, or you work with complex and resource consuming graphic software, then upgrading your graphic chip is next on your list. This is among the most expensive investments in your upgrade, so evaluate the situation while cold headed.

Graphics cards are quite expensive, so it is not worth spending over $600 only on this upgrade if you do not necessarily needed. For surfing the web, consulting your e-mail or writing text documents, making such a huge expense is simply useless. Another thing that must be kept in mind when purchasing a video card is to see which is the slot type your card goes on the motherboard. Whether is PCI, PCI Express or AGP, the new item must be compatible or otherwise, you will just throw money out the window.

Continuing the research on your necessities, take a look at your hard drive. If you like to stock up a lot of music, photos or movies, you will be in dire need of a bigger hard drive. Making copies on DVD’s or USB drives is a solution, but having a sturdy 200 GB hard drive is a more elegant and easier to handle solution.

What is so convenient about new hard drives is that they are usually sold together with a piece of software meant to take all the information from your old data storage device, along with the already installed Windows and simply transfer it to the new one. With an improved hard drive, all the performances of your computer will live a new life.

Many PC gamers and aficionados upgrade their motherboards to stay on the cutting edge of computer technology. But if you’ve a plan for a new mobo, make sure you don’t have a proprietary PC-think Dell, HP, IBM, et al.-as in some instances you’ll need to purchase a new case just to get it to squeeze in, and you’ll often spend several times as much for the newer main board than you did for the older one.

Even it is seems like a hassle, an upgrade to your PC will do justice to your needs and your wallet, as well. You will end up paying less than you would if you decided in favor of a new machine, but only if you plan thoroughly ahead.

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