Computers age quickly. After a year they mature, after three years they become elderly, and after five years they retire. Both geeks and regular users are used to or annoyed by the quick swap cycle.
Part of the annoyance is the uncertainty of substitution. When do you upgrade or repair a computer, and when do you just give up, build or buy a new one? This is a difficult question because there are many variables, but I will try to keep this question simple.
Checking and Troubleshooting Software Issues
If you’re thinking about upgrading or repairing your PC, chances are something is wrong. Your computer may chug. Or perhaps it won’t start a new program.
These issues can be caused by software issues. Performance degradation is not inevitable, but it is often due to excessive software accumulation over time. The more software running in the background, the more CPU cycles and RAM are wasted without much benefit.
We’ve looked at ways to do this before. You can clean up your computer junk third party software with automated scripts or use software to optimize the performance of your PC. I recommend that you read these articles and listen to their advice before making changes to your computer’s hardware.
Hardware upgrade
If you’re still having issues after cleaning your system, it’s time to invest in new hardware. But how do you know what needs to be updated or even help? Let’s go through each major component of your PC one by one.
CPU
The processor is involved in many PC functions. This is especially important when trying to complete a task that requires a lot of calculations. For example, adding a filter to a photo requires a lot of math. The task of the processors is to count the numbers.
However, it is important to distinguish the difference between number processing and program loading. Some users find that their processor is the culprit when their computer boots slowly or takes forever to load Firefox. This is probably not the case. The computer’s RAM or hard drive will most likely cause slow boot times.
An easy way to measure performance is to download SiSoft Sandra Lite and run some CPU benchmarks. The software has a comparison tool that shows you how your CPU compares to other, more modern competitors. This information can help you decide if an update will be helpful.
Should you update?
Processor upgrades can be tricky. This is due to the fact that the processors are installed in certain sockets on the motherboard. Sockets are usually replaced every few years, so an old computer may not be compatible with a new processor.
If your current computer can’t install new processors, you’ll also need to buy a new motherboard. Replacing a motherboard is a difficult task, and it’s hardly worth paying someone to do it. Many users will be more profitable to purchase a new PC.
Laptop users are almost always better off buying a new PC. Some laptops can be upgraded, but replacing mobile processors is extremely expensive.
video card
