Computer Upgrades & Repairs
Upgrading a computer can be a great way to extend the lifespan of a machine that no longer meets your needs. It can also be a great way to save money than buying a new computer. Computer upgrades can include adding new components that supplement old ones or replacing existing components. The most common upgrades include adding or replacing System Memory (RAM), storage drives (SSD or HDD), graphics cards (GPU), and in some cases, the processor (CPU).
The decision to upgrade or purchase a new computer often boils down to the cost and your needs. Upgrading a computer can be a cost-effective way to improve performance and extend the machine's life. However, if the upgrade cost is too high or the existing components are too outdated for the software you require, it may be more cost-effective to purchase a new machine. It is also important to consider the relative cost of the hardware and associated labor costs when making this decision.
More importantly, it is important to recognize when a computer is not worth upgrading. If the machine is too old and lacks compatibility for modern components, the cost of the upgrade may not be worth the investment. In addition, if the machine is too slow, upgrading it may not provide the desired performance boost.
Moore’s law suggests that we can expect the power of new computer processors to effectively double about every 2-3 years, which in theory is generally true (for now), but doesn’t mean it’s actually worth the investment. Consumer-grade components upgrade at a slower rate unless you’re buying the bleeding-edge. Even then, you’d be better off waiting for the majority of the other computer components to evolve to better versions of themselves as well (e.g. Memory, PCI-E, GPU, and SSD).
Memory is the simplest and least expensive component to upgrade but depending on what you’re doing with the computer, it might also be the least effective. Memory upgrades rarely add system performance and are generally only applicable in settings where the operating system demands more, or if you’re doing a lot of media editing, multitasking, or playing high-performance AAA games.
Drives are next on the list in terms of expense but first on the list in terms of improving performance. Upgrading an older computer from an HDD (Hard Disk Drive—magnetic platter) to an SSD (Solid State Disk—flash memory) can add a massive boost to the responsiveness and performance of the computer. The computer will boot faster, software and files will open quicker, and virtually no disk management is required (e.g. defragmentation) because the drive has no moving components. Once you’re in SSD territory, the perceivable upgrade performance may be noticeable by the trained eye or in benchmarks, but generally speaking, all SSDs are the same.
Graphics card (GPU—Discreet Graphics) upgrades can be the most expensive type of upgrade and are only applicable in a handful of workplace settings, namely: AI Development, Media Production, Scientific Study, 3D Modelling, and Computer Aided Design. Graphics cards may also incur ancillary costs in the form of other system requirements including a higher wattage power supply. Graphics cards are pretty ubiquitous and are almost always a guaranteed improvement in productivity as they can be installed on nearly every computer with a simple driver update.
And finally, CPU upgrades are similar to GPU upgrades in that they can provide a huge boost to performance but they can also add functionality like enhanced TPM support or integrated graphics. A big hurdle to this upgrade is compatibility. CPU manufacturer Intel frequently changes the “socket” (think lightbulb) design of their processors which quickly forces older motherboards out of compatibility. CPU manufacturer AMD has most recently gone out of its way to support the same socket size of its processors for several generations. Meaning, if you own a first or second-generation motherboard and processor, chances are you’ll have no problems upgrading to a 4th or 5th generation processor.