The complete guide to upgrading your PC

[JMH]

How to revitalise an ageing computer - whatever your budget.

According to Microsoft, less than five per cent of end users of its operating systems open up their machines. Given that upgrading is one of the cornerstones of what has traditionally made the PC such an attractive platform, that's an amazing statistic.
Why aren't more of us extending the life of our machines with a simple upgrade? Has our throwaway society really reached the point where it's easier to replace the whole machine rather than keep it up to date by upgrading?

Link -
The complete guide to upgrading your PC | News | TechRadar UK

 

[VaguelyRapt]

I've always been surprised at how people are afraid of the inside of their computer. Perhaps it's like Seinfeld says about cars - we all open the hood of the car, but none of us know what really goes on in there (other than the car enthusiasts/engineers amongst us). I guess I don't understand that mentality because I'm such an enthusiast.

That looks like an awesome guide. It is a concept that PC users are missing. Even though I know lots of people like to send it to their "computer guy" to fix, it really is a simple process that shouldn't require paying someone else for their time and "expertise" for.

 

[Joan Archer]

I'm fascinated by the insides of computers although I will admit I've not opened this one yet, it's still running under warranty, mind you I wouldn't have to pay if I wanted anything done my son-in-law is an IT Technician.

I've upgraded previous machines with bigger RAM chips, this machine has 2GB and at present does a very good job at keeping up with me. I have thought about putting in a dedicated graphics card but really the onboard chip works well I'm not into streaming video or TV or for that matter into photo or video editing, if I was then I would seriously consider it.

So at the moment I don't really see the need to mess about with the innards of my machine I'm happy with it, as the advert says, "It does exactly what it says on the tin"

 

[VaguelyRapt]

Haha, my laptop is also under warranty. I can't wait 'till it expires so I can open it! :D I'm the meantime, I have a small fan problem that I might send it in within the next two months while I still have warranty.

I open desktops without thinking twice. It's probably not as smart to open laptops, but I'm confident enough. I've also opened my old Palm Pilot millions of times - I just can't get enough of that stuff.

 

[sassofalco]

.......and often forgotten are those of us who avoid the desk clutter of PC towers, key-boards etc. etc., and stick faithfully to our laptops.

I've had my Acer Aspire 5630 Series Laptop for just over 2 years, and have upgraded by;

• going from 1GB to 4GB DDR2 RAM [uses only 3.07GB of that], and
• upping the Hard Disk Drive from 120GB to a new install of 320GB.

......sweet as!:D.....but now wondering if I can improve further with a Graphics Card upgrade, but have yet to investigate that possibility. Why? Because it is the Graphics functions that are keeping my Windows Experience Index sitting on 3.1......unchanged since the date of purchase.

 

[roy69]

Most of my friends that have asked about upgrades want small things like memory or a new graphics card added but are unsure of what type to get. When they get to the shop they see DDR and DDR2 and DDR 3 you also get different speed of memory.
Memory is the easy thing to upgrade to it is easy to see why someone with no knowlegde of computers would want someone else to do it.
If my car breaks it goes to a mechanic. If one of my mates computers break most of the time it goes to me. They dont trust themselves to repair it or upgrade it.
I have advised a couple of people to go for the upgrade route rather than buying new and saved them alot of money.

 

[pkt]

I just recently did my first build, using the internet to gain the knowledge and do the shopping / compairsons.
There are a number of forums on the subject with people that are more than happy to help...it really wasn't hard.
It's my thought that I'll save money as mentioned above by just doing upgrades
going forward. With a good case, powersupply, fans, coolers, allot of parts will go continue thru many builds.
I had fun doing it. Here are the stats:

ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard
Intel Core i7 920 using a Noctua NH-U12P CPU Cooler
Mushkin Redline 6GB DDR3 1600 Timing:6-7-6-18 Cas Latency:6
EVGA GeForce GTX 275 Superclocked Edition
CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX Power Supply
Western Digital Caviar Black 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache
Seagate Barracuda 1.5TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache
COOLER MASTER ATCS 840 Black Aluminum ATX Full Tower
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit
SAMSUNG 2343BWX 23" LCD 2048 x 1152

 

[Fastboy42]

My laptop was still under warranty when I opened it. :eek:

 

[amigo max]

I cant really live without opening my PC minimum once a month:D... but i have friends who never think of upgrading, instead they are plan to buy a new ready made PC by wasting about 300-500$ and after that they would keep it until it breaks down... .

 

[whs]

I think the problems stems from the fact that it is very difficult to match the pieces. You need to really study the details to know which mobo fits with which processor, what the power requirements and implications are, which graphics card fits which taks, etc. Opening the box and switching the parts is relatively easy - it's finding the right parts where the problem starts.
As a simple guide I would say that the best upgrade for Vista is more RAM and the best upgrade for Windows7 is an SSD (one that supports the TRIM command). The SSDs seem expensive, but I think no other part or combination of parts (costing the same money) can boost performance as much as the SSD.
The advantage of the RAM and/or SSD upgrade is that anybody can do it. And with W7, you don't have to plunge into the intricacies of the SSD - it is all automatic.

 

[mpcrsc562]

I think the problems stems from the fact that it is very difficult to match the pieces.

in my opinion, that is the biggest hurdle people deal with. but, i think nine-times-out-of-ten, it is only the people who do their pc purchases as a pre-made unit from hp, dell, acer, etc. the thought of opening the computer while it is under warranty scares a lot of people. some manufactures are vague in stating what is upgradeable and what is not, further detracting people from upgrading.

i don't find the number (5% of end users) too low at all. the great majority of pc users are not enthusiasts

 

[VaguelyRapt]

i don't find the number (5% of end users) too low at all. the great majority of pc users are not enthusiasts

Nonetheless, surely you agree it should be higher. Even non-enthusiasts can/should easily upgrade their computer if needed.

 

[Joan Archer]

i don't find the number (5% of end users) too low at all. the great majority of pc users are not enthusiasts

Nonetheless, surely you agree it should be higher. Even non-enthusiasts can/should easily upgrade their computer if needed.

I don't see why, not everyone wants to upgrade especially if they have a machine that is adequate for what they need they have no reason to upgrade.
You even point out that fact yourself by that last statement, if needed, not everyone whether enthusiast or not has a need.

 

[roy69]

i don't find the number (5% of end users) too low at all. the great majority of pc users are not enthusiasts

Nonetheless, surely you agree it should be higher. Even non-enthusiasts can/should easily upgrade their computer if needed.

I don't see why, not everyone wants to upgrade especially if they have a machine that is adequate for what they need they have no reason to upgrade.
You even point out that fact yourself by that last statement, if needed, not everyone whether enthusiast or not has a need.

I have not upgraded my system since the build. The only reason it was a new build was I sold the old one and upgraded every aspect.