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Upgrading your computer

Upgrading your computer. 3 rd May 2006. Why upgrade?. Current computer will not run some new wanted software or support desired hardware Current computer is too slow for current needs. General guidelines.

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Upgrading your computer

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  1. Upgrading your computer 3rd May 2006

  2. Why upgrade? • Current computer will not run some new wanted software or support desired hardware • Current computer is too slow for current needs

  3. General guidelines • When replacing a computer you should aim for a minimum of 200% improvement over the existing one, unless you have special reasons • A 20% improvement may just be noticed

  4. What to Upgrade? • If your computer is more than 3 years old, you should be considering a new computer • Some alternatives would be: • To install additional hard disk, • Replace the old CRT with a larger LCD monitor • Add wireless capability

  5. Upgrade scenario #1 • Retiree with on old Pentium 1, 75 MHz CPU, 64 MB RAM, 2 GB hard drive • Internet works well but it takes several minutes to start – OK as she has time • Main problem: when printing just one page with graphics it takes five to seven minutes of disk activity before the printer starts

  6. Upgrade solution #1 Solution • Purchased a replacement computer • A 750 MHz Pentium III CPU (over 1,000% faster) with XP Pro and SP-2 • 192 MB RAM & 10 GB hard disk • Keyboard and mouse • 3 month warranty Total cost $80

  7. Upgrade scenario #2 A five year old computer, limited memory, disk is becoming full, no DVD support, only two USB 1 ports • Requires: DVD burner, more and faster USB drives & needs more disk space • There can be two solutions

  8. Solution A • Add more memory • Install a 4 port USB 2 PCI card • Install a second hard drive • Install a DVD burner • Total cost about $250 if DIY • Overall performance will improve by 20 to 50% but probably closer to 20%

  9. Solution B Suggested solution is a new computer

  10. Upgrading • To improve performance the two most effective items are: • Add additional memory (RAM) • Upgrade the CPU • Upgrading RAM is cheap (from $60 for 512 MB) and easy to install. But you will reach diminishing returns

  11. Replacing CPUs • A faster CPU will give the most improvement but not only is it dearer, your motherboard must be capable of taking the faster CPU. Installing is for the technical savvy users • Installing a new motherboard, CPU and memory is another possibility but consider a new computer as an option

  12. Alternatives for the technical challenged There are many options to add / upgrade • A dual-layer burner DVD - $70 • UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) - $70 • New speakers $5 to $500+ • Video cards $100 to $1,000+ • 4 port USB 2 card - $30 • LCD monitor - $300 to $800+ • USB keys for backups - $70 for 1 GB

  13. Zero cost improvement • Without spending any money, you can improve performance • Firstly prevent unwanted software from starting. This not only slows the start-up process but these programs remain in memory and consume very valuable RAM

  14. Zero cost improvement Startup Inspector from: www.windowsstartup.com

  15. Zero cost improvement Other zero cost improvements: • Occasionally defragment your hard disk • Update your software drivers, especially the video drivers • Remove unwanted fonts if you have over one hundred • If you have a physically separate second hard drive, move your swapfile to that drive

  16. Do NOT upgrade because .. Support for Windows 98 & ME will cease in July • As Windows 98 is stable there is no need to purchase XP • Ensure that you have downloaded the latest patches and upgrades from the Microsoft site • You must keep your anti-virus current even if you upgrade to XP

  17. Any Questions?

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