What Is the Best Computer Upgrade for You? A Closer Look
published 5/16/2022Did you know that almost one in three computers in the United States is infected with some type of malware?
There are many reasons that your computer could be running slowly. Many people with slow computers make the mistake of thinking that their only option is to get a new one. The truth is that it's possible to boost your PC's performance by simply getting an upgrade.
If you want to find out what is the best kind of computer upgrade to get, keep reading and we'll tell you everything that you need to know.
A Top Tech Upgrade: Get a New Hard Drive
If your PC currently is using a mechanical hard drive (also known as a HDD), you'll boost its performance by changing it out with an SSD. Many people who do this feel as if they got a whole new PC.
This is because SSDs have quicker boot times and file transfers. You're likely to notice that your system is more responsive and makes fewer errors.
SSDs are much less expensive than they used to be. If you get a low-capacity drive (five hundred GB or less), it's easy to find one for less than a hundred dollars. If you are looking for the best possible performance, consider getting the Samsung 870 EVO.
If you need to replace your hard drive because your previous one has stopped working, remember that it's probably still possible to recover the data from your broken drive.
Computer Upgrades: Get More Mass Storage if Your Memory Is Full
It's easy to fill up your computer's memory without realizing it until it's too late. Even though it's frustrating to not have the space for downloading your favorite music or movies, the good news is that mass storage devices are extremely inexpensive.
A typical 1TB external hard drive that operates at a speed of 7,200rpm will only cost you forty or fifty dollars. You can find one with a 4TB capacity for under a hundred dollars. One thing to remember is that you'll need to back up your data before changing any of your hard drives.
Add More RAM if You're a Multitasker
One of the most common problems that people run into when using old computers is multitasking. Many older models are simply too slow to be worth using. Unless it's because you've gotten a destructive virus, chances are that you can improve your computer's processing speeds by simply adding more RAM.
To find out if you need a RAM upgrade, take a look at how much it currently has. If it has less than 4GB, it's a good idea to get an upgrade. If you do lots of work on video editing programs or play the latest video games, you should have at least 8GB.
Just like SSDs, the price of RAM has fallen in recent years. This means that it won't cost you more than fifty dollars for an 8GB stick of RAM. To be on the safe side, consider purchasing RAM from dependable brands such as Kingston, G.Skill, or Corsair.
Before buying RAM, make sure that you know what kind you need. This is because different models use different kinds of RAM. If you're unsure what type to get, bring your computer to our shop and we'll help you out.
Consider Getting a New CPU
If your computer is still sluggish after you've upgraded your RAM and installed a new SSD, it might be time for upgrading your CPU. Even though it can be expensive to do this, it won't cost you as much as buying a new PC.
The reason why it tends to cost so much to get a new CPU is that doing this often requires replacing your motherboard as well.
Get a Graphics Card to Start Playing Popular Games
The most important thing you need to start playing your favorite games is a graphics card. If you don't feel like investing in one, you can also make use of the service offered by Nvidia's GeForce Now. It lets you stream games to your computer, which means that all you need to have is a speedy internet connection.
If you do choose to get a new graphics card, you should get one that's made from one of the top brands. Nvidia, AMD, and Intel all make high-quality graphics cards.
Clean Away the Cobwebs
If you have a desktop computer and it's been a while since you've opened it up and sprayed away debris with canned air, consider doing this.
If you don't feel comfortable doing this on your own, you can always bring your computer to a computer repair shop to get help from a trained professional.
Tech Upgrade: Get the Best Computer Monitor
If you haven't bought a new monitor in more than five years, then you should consider getting a new one. Monitor resolutions and response rates have improved considerably over the years. Therefore, you're missing out if you haven't yet gotten an upgrade.
At the very least, you should get a 1080p monitor. They usually cost between one hundred and one hundred and fifty dollars.
You can also splurge and get a 4k touchscreen monitor. These are great to have if you spend lots of time in front of your computer screen and want to enjoy the best possible display.
Get a Computer Upgrade Today
If you know it's time for a computer upgrade but you still don't know where to start, consider adding an SSD to your computer. If you want to do lots of multitasking, it's a good idea to increase your ram. Add a graphics card if you want to start playing the top games.
If you're looking for help with your PC upgrade, we at Data Doctors are here to help you. Please don't hesitate to contact us today for anything you need. And don't forget to check out our many computer repair and data recovery articles.
