Setup: 512 RAM, 256 dual channel shared, Pentium4@2.8 GHz, Windows XP - Machine works great! Question: When should an upgrade even be considered? Is there a disk space percentage or are there any hard and fast rules as to when someone should begin thinking about an upgrade? I don't want a crash or lock-ups or sluggish performance...ever. Thanks in advance for your expertise.
2007-01-21 23:46:47 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
Upgrading a well maintained machine is unnecessary. If u are a average user, the current spec is fine, but If u are a heavy user I will recommend you to switch to a much more powerful machine like a AMD 64 FX X2 Dual-Core Machine with 1GB of ram. But still it all depends on whether U need it or not. There is never a hard and fast rule in upgrading a PC. If u got the time and the money go ahead cause u can never lose.
2007-01-22 00:05:51 · answer #1 · answered by lord_xentris 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on many things. What usually do you do on computer? Is it just for surfing the web and e-mail or you play games or doing something with graphics? It depends if you have older version of Windows and Office or the latest one, etc. And in the end, if you want your computer to be really fast, then you can upgrade it like every 6 months. It all depends.
And are you considering upgrading or buying a new one? You can just upgrade the one that you have. I would suggest you to buy another 512 MB RAM if you don't want sluggish performance (to have 1 GB altogether). You can change parts in your computer, especially if it's desktop PC, not laptop. Tho' these days you can easily change many parts in laptops, too.
It's usually said that after one year, computer is OLD, and that you should get another one. But I don't know many people doing that...
2007-01-22 08:03:00 · answer #2 · answered by Kontesa 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here are some reasons to NOT upgrade.
- You want dual core or other advanced processor. There is nothing wrong with yours, so it is not necessary right now, unless you want to be a very fast gamer.
- You are experiencing many hard failures, with CD drive, USB ports & video cards.
- Laptop screen is broken.
- Computer is more than 7 years old. (of course, your 2.8GHz P4 is not that old yet).
- Cost of upgrade exceeds the value... let's not go crazy spending money on a computer. I have a $100 per year RULE. Let's say that a computer is going to last 9 years. If your computer is already 6 years old, then don't spend more than $300.
- - - - - -
What to upgrade:
- RAM RAM RAM. Visit http://www.coastmemory.com and look up your computer. While 512MB is pretty good, consider adding a bit more. 2GB might be awesome.
Your hard drive should only be about 2/3rds full. So if you have 60GB, you should have 20GB free. But reinstalling on a big hard drive is very time consuming. Consider getting a drive, just for DATA. Adding a separate drive would be good. Visit http://www.newegg.com and look for a drive that is 250GB or so. I would avoid Maxtor. If your computer uses the RED skinny drive cables, then you have SATA. If your computer uses the gray ribbon cables, then you are using ATA. So get a drive that is like the drive that you currently have. I recommend going INTERNAL, instead of external USB. (you simply need those USB ports for MORE TOYS). I have had great luck with Fujitsu, Western Digital and Hitachi.
HEY, at this point, you should be using an Optical Mouse. That rolling ball is such a hassle.
Good luck and Happy Computing!
2007-01-22 08:00:56 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
Basically you should upgrade when your computer is slow and almost out of disk space. If you are just low on disk space or short on speed, you can probably upgrade your RAM or disk for not too much money. From what I am seeing, computers nowadays are lasting around 4-5 years before you really want to replace them.
2007-01-22 07:52:21 · answer #4 · answered by Gitix 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes :
" If it ain't broke ... don't fix it !".
What I mean to say is that you shouldn't fall victim to trends & marketing if (as you say) it works great.
Apply the same logic to anything else you own ... TV , stereo, car ...etc. If any othese these worked great would you be asking the same question about them ?
Consider upgrading when it no longer performs adequately for your needs.
Premature upgrades will not be in tune with your needs.
regards,
Philip T
2007-01-22 09:26:30 · answer #5 · answered by Philip T 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would upgrade RAM it is probably the easiest and most effective thing to upgrade. 1 GB is good but if you can figure out if your motherboard can handle more I would definitly get more. But over all you computer looks good.
2007-01-22 07:51:41 · answer #6 · answered by The Master 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I get a new computer every 3 years. Not sure why I picked 3 years, but it has seemed to work well for me.
2007-01-22 07:53:49 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋