Upgrading your PC

Upgrading your PC • When Are Upgrades Worth it ? • Heart & Soul - The CPU • Exploring System Memory & Cache • Understanding Motherboards • Data Storage • CD ROM Drives • Graphic Accelerators • Display’s • Who need’s to upgrade

When are upgrades worth it ? • Performance Upgrades • Feature Upgrades • Repair Upgrades

Performance Upgrade • CPU and L2Cache • System RAM • Graphics card • Hard disk • CD-ROM Drive • Modems

CPU & L2 Cache • CPU and secondary cache upgrades have the main advantage of affecting performance across the board. A CPU upgrade can boost performance in several ways. The newest CPU also feature large internal L1 cache, which help cut down bottlenecks in memory.

System RAM • This is perhaps the best upgrade for machine that are on the downside of their careers. RAM is affordable -about $10 per megabyte -and it's particularly crucial for large multitasking operating system such as windows-95/98 and NT. RAM is easy to install and well-standardized, but not all system can access the latest ,greatest stuff. Older system use 30-pin sockets that won't work with the EDO DRAM technology used in many Pentium classic and some Pentium MMX PC's. Likewise, older PCs won't be

able to take advantage of today's sync DRAM(SDRAM) memory. Still, adding RAM can be the most effective performance boost you can buy.

Graphics Card • All cards sold during the last two years provide adequate 2D graphics handling. But the emergence of 3D games and titles is making graphics card upgrades a hot item again .3D cards can add impressive rendering capabilities to your PC, allowing realistic and smooth game play for software using a compatible 3D display scheme.Adding a card is easy, but 3D technology is moving fast. You'll want to make sure the card you purchase will work well with the game and software you own or intend to buy.

Hard Disk • A new hard disk will probably affect your ability to access files and programs more than it will affect performance. That said, today's disks spin faster, respond quicker,and move data more smoothly than ever before. The key spec is access time,measured in milliseconds (ms). Today's drives run at 9ms to 12ms,up to twice the speed provided by older drives. But if performance is your main concern, you should consider adding RAM before installing a new hard disk.A good enhanced IDE drive will suffice for virtually all

mainstream applications, but if you want to capture video or do other professional-level work, consider a SCSI drive these drives enjoy higher top data rates than their IDE cousins, and they can also move data without tying up the CPU. Of course, bigger is always better for hard disks, and you should look in the range of 4GB and above when buying a new drive.

CD ROM Drives • Speed keep going up-form 8X just a couple years ago to 52X and faster now. Don't be fooled. The higher spin rates aren't really accessed by most software, and in any case, access times are really the key to responsive performance, what's more, some of these fast drives suffer from vibration problems when spinning CD-ROMs.While the spin rate can help boost application installs and file transfers, look for low access times (below 200 ms) for optimal performance. The best SCSI-based drives can provide 150ms access times for quicker accesses.

Of course, the optical storage buying decision is clouded by other device types. DVD-ROM offers enormous capacities nifty multimedia talents, and full compatibility with existing CD-ROM. Prices are even low enough to make it the smart mainstream purchase, though you'll want to make sure you get a second or third generation drive to ensure adequate performance. Finally, those who want to back up or share data--or make copies of discs--will want to consider a CD-Recordable (CD-R) or CD Rewritable (CD-RW) drive. While these devices will read and write CD-ROM discs, both cost more and run more slowly than their read-only counterparts.

Modems • Of course, the optical storage buying decision is clouded by other device types. DVD-ROM offers enormous capacities nifty multimedia talents, and full compatibility with existing CD-ROM. Prices are even low enough to make it the smart mainstream purchase, though you'll want to make sure you get a second or third generation drive to ensure adequate performance. Finally, those who want to back up or share data--or make copies of discs--will want to consider a CD-Recordable (CD-R) or CD Rewritable (CD-RW) drive. While these devices will read and write CD-ROM discs, both cost more and run more slowly than their read-only counterparts.

Feature Upgrade • Displays • Video Peripherals • Inputs • Data Storage

Display’s • One of the most compelling overall feature upgrades you can make is to the display. A larger monitor can make a world of difference, whether you're working on spreadsheets or playing fast-action games. It's not like getting a larger television screen. You can pack much more information onto a larger monitors more tasks and more columns of data. Anyone who runs multiple programs or works with complex applications will want the space afforded by a 17-inch or even 19-inch monitor. Just be sure that the graphics board can handle the load. You'll need at least 2MB of graphics memory and fast refresh rates in order to enjoy the full benefit of the larger screen.

Video Peripherals • Fast entering the mainstream are video cameras enabling you to make video call to other similarly equipped PCs. Connectix's Quickcam and Intel's Create and Chare kits provide a monitor top video camera and conferencing software. These packages can also be used to capture video or still to your hard disk, but you're limited by the length of the camera cord.If you're creative, you might want to add a video capture card, which enables you to record broadcast or taped analog video to you hard disk. The digital video may be sent to tape or digitally edited and enhanced with special effects and transitions.

INPUTS • If you use your PC for game play, a joystick or other game upgrades can really improve your level of play. You will find everything from Nintendo-like game pads to force feedback joysticks that actually buffet and resist to emulate the feeling of high-g turns and other effects.

Data Storage • The big news here is DVD. This high density optical media provides data capacities of 4.7 GB and beyond. If you are looking for convenient archiving and distribution, emerging CD Rewritable (CD-RW) and DVD-ROM drives both enable you to write to standard optical media.

Repair upgrades • Preparation • Save the Data

The last type of upgrade is really a repair. Do you try to fix a 3-year -old graphics board when it goes down? Of course not. It would cost more to have tech noodle with the thing than the hardware itself is worth. By replacing the dead or dying component, you not only address the functional problem, but you also end up enhancing the PC itself. In fact when it comes to PCs, repair often means replace. Solid-state circuitry can't easily be fixed once it is fried and disk drive and other sealed components are expensive to service. Given the PC components quickly fall behind the feature and performance curve, it makes sense to replace these failed components. But before you decide to replace ailing components you should make sure that a less drastic solution is not available.Here are a few thing to consider before you run to the computer store:· Check that all cables are snug and properly connected. Loose cables are a common cause of mysterious failure.· For drive problem, check the on-board jumper setting and the system BIOS to make sure the drive is properly configured.· Try installing updated drives for appropriate peripherals.Driver conflicts can render devices inoperable.· Ensure that fans are operating and that proper Ventilation is available to the PC. Overheating can cause intermittent and chronic failures in a variety of components.

Preparation • Preparation is the key to any upgrade. From compiling the right tools to making sure that you have an up-to-date backup, a little preparation can save both time and data.

Save the data • Don't be fooled by slick documentation and colorful packaging. Upgrades can go seriously wrong. You can prepare yourself for the worst by saving your important files and applications. There are two things you need to do to protect yourself:· Make a startup disk· Make a full data backup

Startup Disk • Windows 95 and 98 both provide for making a startup disk, containing files needed to start Windows 95 from a floppy disk. In addition to startup and configuration files, this disk contains utilities for managing the hard disk and resolving problems that might be preventing normal operation. You can create it by using control panel of your WINDOWS 95/98.

Backup your Data • You don't need to have a dedicated backup software system in order to protect your data. Windows 95 and 98 include a utility -cleverly named Backup drives. Since most people don’t own taped backup drives the floppy disk feature can be very attractive. • To archive your data you should do the following:Select start, program, Accessories, system tools, select backup to launch the program.

Heart & Soul - The CPU • Assessing Clock Speed • The Data Bus • The Address bus • Level1 (L1) Cache • Buying CPU Physically installing a CPU upgrade Software needed for an upgrade

Assessing Clock Speed • The most recognized aspect of CPU operation is clock speed, which indicates how many millions of times per second a CPU perform its most basic tasks. The clock speed you are almost Modern processor is marvelously complex construct featuring a number of key systems working together to drive the PC. Key among these systems is :

·Data bus· Address bus· Primary or L1 cache· Registers· Instruction pipelines· Registers· Instruction pipelines· Floating-point unit· MMX instruction

The Data Bus • The data bus is the collection of wires and circuits dedicated to moving information in and out of the CPU. Just like a highway, the wider the data bus, the more traffic able to move over it. Today's Pentium MMX CPUs employ 64-bit external data buses that can handle 8 bytes of data at a time, while older 486 processors use a thinner 32-bit (4-byte) data bus.

With most system motherboards running at 60 or 66MHz, 100MHz ,a wide data bus ensures that large scoops of data move into the CPU from slower main memory, keeping the processor well engaged with data and instructions despite its much faster internal clock. Generally, the data bus width is the same both inside and outside the chip. However some older CPUs-such as the Intel 386SX and Cyrix's 486SLX-used a narrower external data bus in order to reduce cost, running 32 bits wide inside and 16 bits wide outside. The result is similar to what happens when you close lanes on a busy highway-a slowdown in traffic. In contrast, the Pentium CPU features a pair of 32-bit pipelines internally, making them a good match for the wide 64-bit external bus, since the 64-bit bus can fill both in one operation. If data buses are so important, why not just make them 128 or even 256 bits wide? In a word, cost. Bus speed also comes into play .The compact circuitry of CPU's allows for operation at 200MHz and beyond, but the longer trace wires on motherboards can't run nearly as fast.

The Address Bus • The address bus is the set of wires carrying bits describing the location of information in system memory. The larger the number (measured in bits), the more physical memory the CPU can access. To figure this out, you simply take the number 2 and apply the number of bits as an exponent. So a 32-bit wide address bus can access 2 to the 32nd power bits of memory, or 4,294,296 bytes, or 4 gigabytes. Form the 386 CPU through the Pentium, Intel chips have employed a 32-bit address bus, enabling them to access up to 4GB of system memory.

Level 1 (L1) Cache • Cache design has gotten much attention from CPU designers over the last five years, and for good reason . These small, incredibly swift pools of memory boost performance by keeping frequently used data and instruction close at hand.There are two types of caches : the internal level 1 cache found inside processors, and the larger, (usually) external level 2 cache .The first Intel CPU to use an internal cache (orL1 cache) was the 486, with an 8KB reservoir shared for

both instructions and data. The Pentium doodled the L1 cache to 16KB total, while both Pentium pro and Pentium MMX include 32KB of L1 cache and separate 8KB instruction and data caches, while the Pentium pro uses larger 16Kb caches for data and instructions. Even bigger caches figure in the latest chips from AMD and Cyrix. The AMD K6-2 and Cyrix M II, M II CPUs feature 64K of L1 cache memory.

Buying a CPU Make no mistake -there are a lot of CPUs out there. In fact, there are so many different model and speeds that many buyers are simply overwhelmed. So how do you go about choosing a CPU for a new system? Table 1. helps you focus your attention on the CPU best fitting your needs. Keep in mind that Intel competitors AMD and Cyrix have both introduced processors able to match the performance of Intel's Pentium II.

CPU What it's Best for Notes Intel Celreon Entry-level 300 MHz celerons can cost as little as $1, 000,but the lack of L2 cache on older models really slows things down. Go with the celeron with the integrated 128KB L2 cache. Pentium MMX Notebooks Intel has ceased production on its desktop Pentium MMX CPUs but affordable notebooks with 266-MHz CPUs can be had for under $2,000. Pentium II Mid -range Intel's flagship CPU features clock rates ranging from 266MHz to 450MHz and beyond, MMX instructions, and a core optimized for both windows 9X and NT. Prices start as low as $1,200 and go up to $3,000. Intel Xeon high-end workstations/servers Basically a Pentium II with IBM or 2MB of L2 cache running at full

CPU speed (up to 450MHz).you can find systems with 2,4,or even 8 Xeon CPUs, but prices start at about $3,500 and go up to $10,000 and beyond. AMD K6 entry-level this MMX-aware CPU is a terrific value for entry- level office use. You can get a system for under $1,000, but clock speeds top out at 300MHz. AMD k6-2 Entry-level/midrange built on the k6 core, k6-2 adds faster clock speeds (up to 400MHz)and the 3Dnow! Instruction set extensions. 3Dnow! Is essentially MMX for 3D graphics, DirectX 6.0 software. Systems cost $1,000 to $2,000. Cyrix M II Entry-level/midrange Like k6.M II offers low-cost power for business computing. but M II has lacked 3Dnow! Support and offers support MMX performance.

Physically installing a CPU upgrade • Surprisingly, the physical installation of a new CPU can be quite easy. This is particularly true for systems using socket 7 (or even socket 5) modules, including those based on Pentium MMX,K5, k6, 6x86, and M II processors. All these PCs include so called Zero insertion force(ZIF) sockets, which use an easily accessed

level to socket and desocket the CPU.ZIF sockets eliminate the need to tenderly pull chips out of their sockets-harrowing work that can result in snapped pins and broken hearts. For newer Pentium II-class systems with slot 1 connectors, removing and inserting a CPU is simpler still-the vertical connector is similar to that used by PCI cards.A typical ZIF socket installation works as follows.1. Shut off the PC, remove the power cable, and remove the system chassis. Allow the system to sit for about half an hour so the CPU is cool enough to handle.2. Ground yourself to avoid electronic shock. The best method is to use a static mat with the cord attached to your wrist. Lacking that, be sure to touch the metal of the PC chassis before touching any components. 3. Place the system, so the motherboard is facing the ceiling. (for tower and minitower systems, this means placing the unit on its side.)4. Remove the upgrade CPU from its packaging, and place it pins-up on the mat. 5. Locate the system CPU. If the processor has a fan heat sink with a wire attached, you need to detach it first. Also clear any cables or wires blocking access. If necessary, unplug cable or remove drives form their bays.6. Find the ZIF lever (the metal lever with a plastic tip that lies nest to the socket) and gently pull it up. The CPU should lift a Little from the socket.7. Making sure you're well-grounded, grasp the CPU with your thump and forefinger and pull

straight upward. Avoid raising one edge or the other, because this can result in bent or broke pins, place the original CPU in the packaging supplied with the upgrade processor.8. Take the upgrade CPU and orient it so that pin 1 in the CPU socket. Usually, the pin 1 corner will have a beveled edge or will have a dot silk screened on top of the CPU in the corner.9. Slowly place the processor into the socket, taking your time to make sure the edges are aligned and that the pins seat smoothly into the socket holes. Don't .10. Once you're satisfied that the CPU is properly aligned and seated, press gently on the top of the CPU to make sure all pins-are in contact.11. Lower the ZIF lever slowly. You should be able to feel some resistance as the lever brings the socket into contact with the CPU pins.12. Make sure you haven't disturbed any wires or boards inside the chassis. Also check to make sure no tools or other objects are inside the case.13. Before putting the case back on plug in your PC and boot it up. You'll be in violation of FCC emissions compliance for a few minutes, but it's a good idea to see if things work before going to the trouble of screwing on the case.

Software needed for upgrade • Like almost any hardware upgrade, there's a software side to installing a CPU.Specifically' you need to determine whether the upgrade processor will work with your system.If your system has a flashable BIOS-that is, if it can be upgraded from software-your can update it easily.

Exploring System Memory & Cache • RAM • Secondary Cache - A Vital Helper

Random Access Memory(RAM) • What is RAM ? • The Speed thing • Plug-in & turn on • Keeping up with the new RAM

What is RAM ? • System memory is your PC's scratch pad". Often called dynamic random access memory. Or DRAM, system memory is the place where the data and code the PC is working on is stored.Your PC uses RAM much like you use your desk. Things that are being worked on are placed in system memory where the processor can reach them quickly. Your system assign addresses to data, specifying exactly where in system RAM the specific bits can be found. Data that isn't being worked on gets sent back to the hard disk-the PC's version of your file cabinet-or deleted, making room for the work at handUnlike a hard disk or CD-ROM, system memory is volatile-that is, the contents RAM must constantly Be refreshed with electrical signal to prevent the charge in the transistors from bleeding away.

The Speed thing ... • If you've looked into getting a memory upgrade, you've probably seen cryptic references to the "speed" of the memory -often expressed as something like 70ns or 60ns. Actually, speed is the wrong word. What these numbers show is how quickly RAM can turn itself around (measured in nanoseconds, or billionths). The faster the RAM,the more frequently it can be refreshed by your system-and the more frequently it can be updated or accessed.You could buy fast 60ns RAM for the 486SX-25 machine in your office, nut the chipset that plays traffic cop will strictly enforce a 100ns speed limit. You'll be wasting your money on that fast memory.

Plug in & turn on …. • RAM usually comes in a standard format, enabling you plug new memory into sockets on the motherboard. There are two types of memory modules you need to worry about:· Single inline memory modules· Dual inline memory modulesIf you are upgrading an older system, you'll probably encounter SIMMs, which have been widely used in PCs for years. These modules feature either 30 or 72 connector pins with individual RAM chips mounted on either side of the card. You'll find the shorter 30-pin SIMMs in 386 and old 486 PCs, while newer 486 and most Pentium II systems also used 72-pin SIMMs. Newer systems, including Pentium MMX and Pentium II-based PCs, employ 168-pin DIMMs.

30-pin SIMMs fell out of favor because they lack capacity and performance: The fewer pins on the module limit the number of bits that the system can move in and out of the SIMM at any one time. Most 30-pin SIMMs feature capacities of 4MB and less. 72-pin SIMMs offer capacities as high as 32MB per module.When you purchase SIMMs for Pentium or Pentium Pro PCs, you generally need to do so in pairs. To get performance out of the 64-bit Pentium data bus, the system combines pairs of 32-bit SIMMs to yield 64-bit access. A scheme called interleaving-in which even bits are stored in one SIMM in a bank and odd bits in the other-enables the system to access data from on SIMM while the other is refreshing. The result is faster performance. New to the scene are DIMMs, featuring a wider 168-pin connection for improved performance and higher capacities. You can find DIMMs that put 64MB of memory on a single module. Unlike 72-pin SIMMs, they can be installed singly.

The reason is that DIMMs provided a 64-bit data path equal to the bit width of a single memory bank-a perfect fit for Pentium and faster CPUs. You can recognize DIMM sockets from their greater length and more numerous electrical leads, DIMMs themselves are also longer than SIMMs a usually pack RAM on both sides of the module board. Not all standard DIMMs and SIMMs are identical. Some use glob-plated connectors, and other use tin-plated connectors. The main difference is cost.

Keeping up with new RAM • Fast Paging Mode DRAM • Extended Data Out DRAM • Synchronous DRAM • Comparison Table

Fast Paging Mode DRAM • FPM DRAM has been around for years, but it had largely been replaces by faster EDO DRAM Like EDO,FPM DRAM comes mounted on SIMMs. FPM DRAM gets its name form the [aging scheme it employs the memory gets broken down into a series of pages up to several kilobytes in size. Once the system accesses data within a page, subsequent accesses inside that page happen without delay.

Extended Data Out DRAM • EDO DRAM become prevalent in 1994 as clock -multiplied 486 and fast Pentium CPUs started to outpace memory speeds.EDO DRAM adds circuitry to speed subsequent reads by optimizing the timing of accesses.The memory can be set up for a new access even as a read operations is already in progress. EDO EDO DRAM takes just two clock ticks to perform subsequent read operations,versus three ticks for FPM DRAM.EDO DRAM performance generally enjoys a15 percent advantage over FPM DRAM of the same rating. However, your system's chipset and BIOS must be EDO-aware in order to work with it.

Synchronous DRAM • Synchronous DRAM employs the same bursting technique found in BEDO DRAM, but is adds the ability to run in sync with a 100MHz system bus. By synchronizing with the system clock, SDRAM enjoys faster and more efficient operation with the system bus. SDRAM can provide a 5 to 10 percent performance boost over EDO RAM, depending on the application involved and the size of the L2 cache. More recently the emergence of 100MHz motherboard buses has heralded the arrival of fast,

100MHz SDRAM called Pc100 SDRAM by Intel, this memory is built to handle the tighter signal timings that occur on motherboards running 50 percent faster than earlier models. While some PC66 SDRAM modules are able to handle the higher bus speeds, most user will want to buy 100MHz-compliant SDRAM to ensure the integrity of their systems. Following Table shows the enhanced efficiency of burst-mode memory design used by SDRAM and BEDO DRAM. As you can see, all these memory type take five clock ticks to find and return the first bit of data requested. However, the time to gather subsequent bits drops from three clock ticking per bit-a 300 percent improvement !

Upgrading your PC