Updating Your Hardware

Your computer’s hardware is what allows it to operate – the components that allow you to see the display, that allow it to hold data and remember it, and that determine how fast it can operate. Without the hardware, the computer is useless. Whether you are building a computer from scratch or upgrading a computer already in your possession, you can upgrade the hardware and increase the performance of your computer dramatically. Whether you want your computer to run faster, look smoother, or hold more files and documents, you can – all that you need to do is swap out the hardware components.

Depending on how you use your computer determines what hardware pieces you should look into purchasing. Hardware components are not cheap, but not everybody needs the same components for their computer. While a great, new graphic card can be awesome, the type you get should meet the needs of what you plan on using it for. Stil, by upgrading the hardware components in your computer, you can increase its lifespan as well as its performance capability.

Computers, like all forms of technology, are products of their time – however, the ‘time’ that they are of is about six months. By then, new and improved components have been released and systems that make yours look like a dud are already out, with even more on the way. Rather than buying a new computer every six months, which can be tedious and cost prohibitive, get ahead of the curve and focus on the components that can make a true difference: the hardware.

Random Access Memory

Your computer’s RAM is what allows it to function and operate, without enough of it your computer is slow and sluggish. The more RAM that your computer has access to increases your computer’s performance capability – including its speed and the number of tasks that it can perform at a single time. You can increase the amount of RAM that your computer has access to, by installing additional RAM or replacing the hardware component with a larger memory stick. While it is simple to add RAM to a desktop, a laptop is different and you should take care when adding RAM to your laptop.

Upgrading Your Hard Drive

Your hard drive is a critical piece of your computer – it holds all of your documents, pictures, files, and music so that you can access it on your computer. When you buy a laptop or a desktop computer, it comes with a hard drive that is standard for the type of device it is – but it does not have to keep that hard drive. If you want a larger storage capacity, get a hard drive with more space. You can swap at hard drives relatively easily, though it will require a data transfer in order to ensure that your files stay on your computer. This is because your hard drive is your computer – or, at least, its brain.

When you consider increasing the size of your hard drive, you can also consider installing more than one hard drive. This allows you to store even more information, all of which can be accessed by a few clicks of your mouse. You can essentially remove storage limitations on your computer this way – or keep a backup of all of your files so that if one hard drive is damaged irreparably, you have a copy of all of the files and information on your computer stored on another drive.

Upgrading your Optical Disc Drive

When we pop in a disc, we don’t really think about what the drive is capable of – or incapable of, for that matter – but it is time that we start. Technology is always evolving, and discs are no different. Computers, for the most part, are incapable of playing a blu ray disc on their own – but they don’t have to be. You can install a drive that is capable of reading a blu ray disc, allowing you to watch your new collection on your computer. Desktop computers are better suited for this type of upgrade, as they can handle multiple drives at the same time – due to having the space required.

Upgrading Your Processor

Your processor has a direct effect on the speed and performance of your computer – but it is important to know what type of processor your computer can take before you decide on replacing it. The socket that connects the processor to the motherboard is what determines the hardware component you can use – if they are incompatible, it is a waste of money. Even so, it is one of the easiest components in your computer to replace.

Upgrading Your Graphics Card

This piece of hardware affects how your computer displays on your screen – and there is a noticeable difference depending on the type of graphics card that your system is operating on. Smooth, crisp, defined imagery isn’t out of your reach – and there are a range of prices for these cards that can get you the quality you want without breaking the bank. With a new and improved card, you’ll notice the improvement right away.
In the end, the hardware in your computer directly determines how your computer will perform – the better the components, the better the performance.