Does your computer seem to be slowing down? Is it having trouble getting through some of the more challenging tasks that your work or personal use put it through? This doesn’t always mean that you need to go out and spend the money to purchase a brand new machine. In fact, in a lot of cases, it is possible to make lower-cost upgrades to your PC, or have some computer repair work done, that will breathe new life into it, and extend its life by several years.
Before looking for a new computer, try these upgrades, and save yourself hundreds (or thousands) of dollars. Let’s take a look at the most commonly upgraded components, and see how upgrading them can help extend your current computer’s life.
Memory / RAM
Upgrading the RAM (or memory) of your computer is one of the most common, and simple, upgrades. Plus, extra RAM can really increase your computer’s performance, and allow it to be used many years beyond it’s exptected death date. Today, if your computer is running 2GB or 4GB of RAM, you will likely have difficulty running programs such as Adobe software, and even some modern productivity software like MS Office 365. An upgrade to 8GB, or even 16GB, can really boost performance, especially with resource intensive programs like Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, or even MS Excel (when using large spreadsheets).
Most desktop computers, and many popular laptop PCs can have their RAM upgraded by a professional without any problems, and for a fraction of the cost of a new PC.
Hard Drive
The hard drive of your PC is another easily upgradeable component that can have a significant impact on performance. Today’s SSDs (Solid State Drives) deliver incredible speed when compared to the magnetic HDDs (Hard Disk Drives) that we are all used to. While HDDs have the benefit of larger capacities at lower costs, upgrading to an SSD will significantly increase your system’s speed and performance. Plus, if you need a large storage area, an optimal system would use a moderate sized SSD for the operating system (generally Windows) and then a secondary larger capacity HDD where images, documents, videos, etc, can be stored. This setup will give you the benefits of a speedy SSD plus the benefits of a high-capacity HDD – and extend the life of your existing PC.
The CPU
While it is possible to upgrade the CPU in most desktop PCs, and even some laptop PCs, there are several factors that must be accounted for. And, while an upgraded CPU (processor) can definitely help boost your PCs performance, because of things such as motherboard compatibility and chipsets, it is highly recommended that you consult a professional IT Consultant before determining if you want to (or can) upgrade the CPU in your PC.
Other upgradeable components in your PC include the optical drives, the video card, and even the displays that you are using. These can also have an impact on your computer’s performance using modern software programs.
XOrca is a full-service computer repair and IT Consulting shop. If you are having trouble with your current computer, and would like to discuss upgrade options before spending the money to completely replace your machine, please contact us today.
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