If you’ve had your computer for quite some time, then you’re likely to start noticing the fact that it happens to be getting older. Even if your computer isn’t that old, it’s easy to feel like your PC has fallen behind as far as the latest and greatest technologies go. After all, it seems like no matter how new your machine might be, there’s always going to be an updated model out on the market before you know it. Rather than constantly spinning your wheels and emptying out your wallet in order to keep up with technological trends, you can instead agree to settle for the computer you currently have, albeit with a bit of a twist. By treating yourself to the occasional PC upgrade, you can get the best of both words – a better computer at a price that won’t break the bank.
As the chief technician at Cheaper Than A Geek, an Odenton, Maryland computer repair company whose services range from antivirus software installation and data recovery to home network setups, Chris Barber has done his fair share of PC upgrades. According to him, a PC upgrade can involve a number of different improvements. One popular type of PC upgrade is none other than a memory upgrade, which involves adding memory or replacing the memory chip in its entirety. Another common PC upgrade is updating the hard drive. This is usually achieved by either adding an additional hard drive for more capacity, or replacing a machine’s existing hard drive with one that is more proficient. Since the latter involves moving all of a user’s data from one hard drive to another, the help of an experienced technician is crucial to ensure that it all goes smoothly.
For those who tend to use their computers for leisure, a PC upgrade can also involve swapping out an older video card. Any user who enjoys playing games on his PC can easily benefit from upgrading his video card to one that provides a smoother graphical experience. A PC upgrade can also involve replacing a slower Central Processing Unit (CPU) with one that is faster – provided, of course, that the associated motherboard can support it.
While a PC upgrade can often times serve as a lower-cost alternative to an entire PC replacement, it is only a reasonable option under certain circumstances. If your computer is under three years, then an upgrade might easily be worthwhile from a financial perspective. A PC upgrade is also something to consider if your computer currently isn’t functioning as well as it should, as it can constitute a low cost option for tiding yourself over as you save up to buy a newer model. On the other hand, a PC upgrade doesn’t always make sense, especially if you’re dealing with an older computer that is clearly on its way out. Additionally, if the amount of money that you’ll need to spend on an upgrade is comparable to the cost of a brand new PC, then it might make more sense to just go for the newer model.
If you think your PC can benefit from an upgrade, then contact a computer technician to discuss your options. You might be pleasantly surprised to learn that the right type of upgrade can turn an otherwise run-of-the-mill computer into a high performance machine.
