Home
>
Personal Technology
>
Upgrading Your PC for Non-experts

Upgrading Your PC for Non-experts

Intro

One of the big advantages of PCs over earlier types of computers is that they're upgradable. If you get to the point where you need a faster computer, more storage space or whatever, you don't have to buy a new PC. You can upgrade it by buying just the extra part you need. But sometimes it's better to just take the plunge and replace it? and how do you know what part to upgrade? Here's my guide:

Memory

Adding memory is one of the most popular upgrades. It makes a big difference to how fast your PC runs. When your PC runs out of memory for what it's doing, it stores information on your hard drive instead. Your hard drive is nowhere near as fast as the memory. The more memory you've got, the less often your PC will need to store things on the hard drive as it works. So the faster it will go.

How much memory is enough does depend on what version of Windows you're running. With Windows XP, 256MB is considered a bit on the low side, though it'll be just about OK. 512MB is decent and 1024MB is really good. If you have Windows 95 or 98, you can get by on 64MB though it's worth going to 128MB even if you just use your PC for basic office work. More will make it really hum along.

It also depends on what you're using your PC for - if you're just typing up the odd letter and sending emails, then 256MB will probably do you but if you're editing video or playing the latest 3D games, it'll be worth getting the full 1024MB.

If you buy memory, make sure you get the right type for your computer - the best thing to do is go to a shop and get them to pick the right type and to fit it for you. You CAN fit it yourself if you know what you're doing but be careful!

Hard Drive

Another upgrade that can be worthwhile is a bigger hard drive. If you don't have enough space for all your files and programs then it's obviously a good plan! I'd also recommend it if you have only just enough space. When your hard drive is nearly full your PC has to scamper around it trying to find empty space every time it wants to save something? and that takes time.

I'd recommend keeping your existing hard drive and adding a new one instead of actually replacing your existing one. No point in throwing it away if it's still working!

A typical hard drive nowadays is anywhere from 40GB to 160GB - if you're getting a new one it might as well be big!

With a hard drive you can either fit it yourself or get a shop to fit it? or there's a third option. You can buy an external version which plugs into your computer via a USB port. These are great for moving information from one PC to another. If it's always on one PC, I prefer the hard drive neatly tucked away inside the case? but again, it's up to you.

Bigger/flat monitor

If you've got a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) monitor (the type with a box sticking out the back, like a television) you might fancy one of those stylish flat ones. It's not just a fancy gadget, they also fit better on a small desk and you can have it closer to the wall than a big cumbersome CRT.

If you decide to go for it, think about whether you want one with built in speakers. It keeps you desk nice and tidy and looks more stylish. But you can get much better sound quality with separate speakers.

You also could think about what size of screen you want. It's measured in inches from one corner to the opposite one. 17inch is pretty standard for desktop PCs though the flat screen types tend to seem bigger than the CRT type even when they're the same size. For normal use, I wouldn't particularly recommend getting a big one but if you do a lot of design or gaming, it might be worth it.

Processor

I'm not a big fan of processor upgrades. People talk about the processor speed when they're saying how fast a PC is but there's a lot more to it. Upgrading the processor without upgrading the other parts doesn't tend to make much difference. And if you're going to change the other bits too, you're probably best off just buying a new PC. It'll probably be cheaper.

CD Writer/DVD player/DVD writer

This is a simple one. If you don't have a CD writer and you want to be able to write CDs, get one! As usual, I'd advise you to get it fitted at the shop you buy it at. Or you could get an external one that plugs into a USB port.

If you fancy it you could even get a DVD player or DVD writer, if you want to put your home movies on DVD. Again, you can either get it fitted or buy an external one.

Graphics Card

This is a bit of a specialist one. If you're into fast 3D games, then it might be worth getting a faster graphics card. If you aren't, it probably isn't. A standard graphics card can handle ordinary graphics pretty well. It's only when the PC throws fast 3D at it that it struggles. Then the PC itself has to do some of the work for it, leaving less time for the PC to work out whether you've been clobbered by a goblin.

Epilogue

The crucial point about upgrades is that it really does depend on what you use your PC for. If you're happy with what your PC is doing for you, don't let anyone talk you into feeling you have to upgrade.

Tim Wakeling is the Author of Computers One Step at a Time, a home course using plenty of pictures of the screen to show you how to use your PC. He also writes a free monthly newsletter about computers for non-experts. Find out about both at http://www.osaat.co.uk

? Tim Wakeling, UK 2005. You may re-publish this article online and in print as long as you leave it unchanged.

whole house cleaning Deerfield ..

In The News:

Apple's new Sleep Score feature gives you a rating for your nightly rest quality. Learn how to set it up on your Apple Watch and iPhone today.

Essential phone settings to enable before losing your device, including Find My network, location services and security features for iPhone and Android.

The Fox News AI Newsletter gives readers the latest AI technology advancements, covering the challenges and opportunities AI presents.

Cybersecurity research shows weak passwords remain a major threat, with simple patterns and number sequences putting millions of accounts at risk.

New Android malware BankBot YNRK silences phones, steals banking data and drains crypto wallets automatically. Learn how this advanced threat works.

FDA approves first human trial for Paradromics' brain-computer interface that could restore speech for paralyzed patients through neural technology.

New phishing platform QRR targets Microsoft 365 users across 1,000 domains in 90 countries. Learn how to spot fake login pages and protect your accounts.

OpenTable now uses AI to track your dining habits and share insights with restaurants. Learn what data they collect and how to protect your privacy.

Google's discontinued Nest thermostats still secretly upload home data to company servers despite losing smart features, raising serious privacy concerns.

New Android malware NGate steals NFC payment codes in real-time, allowing criminals to withdraw cash from ATMs without your card. Learn protection tips.

DoorDash confirms data breach exposing customer names, emails, addresses after social engineering attack. Learn how to protect yourself from scams.

Concerned about Google's AI scanning your Gmail? Learn how to disable Gemini features that access your emails, Drive files and Chat messages for privacy.

Google warns Android users about dangerous fake VPN apps hiding malware that steals passwords, banking details and personal data from phones and tablets.

Apple's digital passport feature lets iPhone users breeze through TSA checkpoints this holiday season using Digital ID technology at 250+ airports.

A new phishing scam targets family photos with fake "Cloud Storage Full" alerts. Criminals steal credit card information through fake sites. Learn protection tips.

South Korean scientists create ultra-thin fabric muscles that turn clothes into robotic assistants, lifting 33 pounds while weighing under half an ounce.

Archer Aviation has acquired Hawthorne Airport for $126M to launch an LA air taxi network ahead of the 2028 Olympics, featuring AI-powered eVTOL operations and next-gen aviation tech.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Fake AI apps disguised as "ChatGPT" and "DALL·E" are flooding app stores with dangerous malware that steals data and monitors users without detection.

Fake buyers demand specific vehicle reports from unknown sites to steal credit card information from car sellers, but warning signs can help identify these scams before paying.

Android users can now manage apps across multiple devices more easily with Google Play Store's updated remote uninstall button in the latest update.

NASA's Perseverance rover discovers shiny metallic rock on Mars that could be a meteorite from an ancient asteroid, containing high levels of iron and nickel.

Holiday scams spike during Black Friday and Cyber Monday as criminals exploit your leaked personal data. Learn how to protect yourself from fake stores and phishing.

Commerce Department proposes TP-Link router ban over Chinese security risks. Learn how this potential prohibition could affect your home network and devices.

Hyundai AutoEver America suffered a data breach affecting 2,000 current and former employees, exposing names, Social Security numbers and driver's license information.

Upgrading Your PC for Non-experts

Personal Technology