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If you are not intimately familiar with the components of your computer, the task of upgrading can seem a little daunting. You may wonder how to determine what you should upgrade or if it is it even possible for you to perform an upgrade.
But manufacturers work hard to make your computer's hardware as easy to use as the software that runs on it. In fact, if you follow the three simple steps outlined in this article, you can quickly and easily get yourself onto the right upgrade path.
Step 1: Why do you want to upgrade?
Before you crack open your computer, first decide what you hope to gain from upgrading your system. For example, if you have run out of storage space, you’ll want to upgrade your computer's storage capacity.
If you are unsure of what hardware to upgrade to fulfil a particular need, contact your computer's manufacturer or a local reseller.
Step 2: Assess your current components' upgrade possibilities
Next, you need to identify what components are currently in your computer. Not necessarily a lengthy list of everything that makes up your system, but just the components you have decided to upgrade.
The easiest and most accurate way to do this is to refer to any documentation that may have come with your system, or contact the computer’s manufacturer directly. You can usually identify components through the operating system, but this method may not be completely accurate with newer hardware.
The manufacturer can give you the best advice for your particular system, but here are some general guidelines for upgrading different performance-related components (the most commonly upgraded parts of any system).
The processor: The general goal of a processor upgrade is speed – the faster, the better. The manufacturer's name, the specific model name and the speed of the processor all affect your processor upgrade options. Before you commit to an upgrade, weigh up the amount of increased speed against the cost to be sure it’s worth it.
Memory: You need to find out how much memory your system can handle – and how much you currently have installed – to identify your upgrade options. The benefits you'll see from a memory upgrade depend entirely on how you use your computer.
Light users won’t see much of a difference from a memory upgrade, while those who work with applications that use a large amount of data or perform intensive operations may see a noticeable improve in system performance.
The hard disk: In most cases, when you upgrade your hard disk, you move up to a disk with a larger capacity. Alternatively, you may choose to simply add a new hard disk to your computer to extend the storage space you have rather than replacing it – so you don’t have to reinstall all of your software or migrate your existing data to the new drive. Your manufacturer or a reseller will be able to advise you on the type of disks that are compatible with your system. As a general rule, always buy as much storage space as you can afford – even if you don’t need it now, you'll probably need it later.
Step 3: Perform the upgrade
Now it's time to physically perform the upgrade. Before you proceed with any upgrade, whether you do it yourself or pay a service provider to do it:
- Verify the terms of your system's warranty with the manufacturer. Some warranties become void if an unauthorised individual performs work on the computer, while other warranties completely allow such things.
- Be sure to back up your key data. Although highly unlikely, your system can be damaged during an upgrade, resulting in data loss.
For more information
Get help upgrading your HP or Compaq computer. |
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