Upgrade
Computer manufacturers often skimp on essentials in an effort to offer the lowest price. Unfortunately that means a slower, less reliable system that will need to be replaced sooner. Fortunately most computers are a cheap upgrade away to a huge improvement.
If you experience any of the following, you will likely benefit from an upgrade:
• Computer seems slow for no particular reason. Delays in loading new webpages or when switching windows. Sometimes will just freeze for a few seconds sometimes? Time to add memory!
• Do games, videos, and effects seem choppy or squarish? You need a Video Card!
• Or are you having to delete programs, clear out files, and have a bunch of burned CDs from too little space? Time to move up on size or add a second Hard Drive!
• Does your computer sound like a jet turbine at take-off? Any whirrs alternating sounds, or high-pitched noises? Replacing cheap, problem-prone factory fans with a better Cooling System will quiet it down and increase longevity.
An upgrade will benefit practically anyone. Use the Crucial System Scanner to see if you need more memory or a video card. A couple of rules of thumb for memory needed:
• XP – Bare minimum 512MB, recommend 1024MB (1GB) or more. 256MB is too little, there will be very noticeable difference if an upgrade is done, even for the most casual of users.
• VISTA – Bare minimum 1024MB (1GB), recommend 2048MB (2GB) or more. With new technologies built in, the more memory in VISTA, the better.
Additionally, laptop users will benefit greatly from a hard drive upgrade. Notebooks come with slower hard drives than their desktop counterparts, but there are faster hard drives available. This simple upgrade will have a very significant performance impact and is highly recommended.
