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Upgrading a
Computer
Everything in a computer
can be upgraded. The CPU, RAM, disk drives, motherboard, pointing
devices, video, and audio systems can all be replaced to improve
your computer's performance.
Upgrading, however, can
be a tricky and time-consuming process. If you have time and money
to invest, and if you don't mind running the risk of doing more harm
than good, then upgrading can be just the ticket.
There is one rule of
thumb to consider when upgrading: Upgrade your PC only if you
can get the performance boost you need while spending less than you
would for a new system. At a time when new Pentium III systems are
available for $700 (including a monitor), upgrading may not save you
very much at all.
Once upon a time, a new
processor was the quickest way to a faster computer. A few years
ago, you could increase a Pentium computer to a Pentium Pro CPU with
MMX technology for under $200, and the task was as simple as
removing the old chip and inserting the new one in the same
socket.
Newer-generation (Pentium
II and III) processors and motherboards, however, are not as
upgrade-friendly as older ones. For example, if you have a Pentium
system and want to upgrade it to a Pentium II or Pentium III system,
you need to replace the motherboard. This may cause problems for
other devices, such as RAM, cache, and others. In short, a processor
upgrade may ultimately be more difficult and expensive than buying a
new system. Do your homework before trying to change your CPU. (The
links at the end of this page can help.)
A RAM upgrade can enable
your PC to process data faster, by keeping more information on hand
for the processor. Currently, 64 MB is the practical minimum for
nearly any operating system, with 128 MB yielding faster
performance. Simply stated, the more RAM in your system, the better.
A RAM upgrade can be as easy as plugging one or two additional SIMM
(Single Inline Memory Module) chips into the motherboard. Check with
your system's manufacturer and read your PC's documentation to learn
exactly how to add memory. And remember that you can't use just any
RAM chip. Use only the type of RAM recommended by the computer's
manufacturer.
For greater storage
capacity, add or replace a hard disk. Newer disks also tend to be
faster than older ones and are reasonably inexpensive. A hard disk
upgrade is more challenging than a RAM upgrade, but most kits
provide everything you need. The easiest way to increase storage is
to add an external hard disk that plugs into the PC's parallel
port.
Changing the sound or
video display card is another easy upgrade; just replace the current
card with a newer one. Older computers may have less than 1 MB of
video memory (VRAM). The minimum VRAM for most systems now is 2 MB,
with 4 MB the norm for systems you routinely use for graphics work
and navigating on the World Wide Web.
Be an Informed
Upgrader
The Web is the best source of general information
and tips on upgrading your computer. Here are some especially
helpful sites:
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