What To Know Before You Upgrade Your Computer

Did you know that the average computer has a lifespan of around 8 years – maximum? Most people aren’t aware of that, and business owners are usually unaware of it, too. Those years spent working only occur depending on the type of system, how often it’s used and whether the hardware components of the computer are wearing out. The changes in software over time often means that by the time your computer hits that eight-year mark, it’s not the same computer it once was. However, if you have still got the same operating system and it’s only just now beginning to slow down on you, then you need to learn a few things before you go ahead and upgrade it all.

When you uninstall old programs and “clean” the hard drive of your computer, you can often enjoy some time with it speeding up a little. It won’t be as slow, it won’t be as annoying to run and you get a boost to the speed. The modern apps will be faster to run, as often, these begin silently in the background of the computer and consume your resources without you even knowing it. This site can tell you how to find the product key for your new Windows 10, but you need to know a few things before you go ahead and upgrade the whole computer entirely. It’s all about tinkering under the proverbial hood before you go ahead and decide that upgrading is the best thing to do for your computer. 

So, do you upgrade, or try to keep the old warhorse going? There truly is no real rulebook in place as to whether you replace or upgrade, as it’s personal preference as to how well it runs in the first place. Most computers are easy to fix, but there are some computer designs that make upgrading a complicated job. There are plenty of things to consider when you choose to upgrade, so let’s go over them!

Image Source

How’s The Memory?

Before you upgrade, look at whether the memory of the computer is working well. The more memory a computer has, the more data it will process. This will mean that it can process it without the added use of the virtual memory. If the virtual memory exceeds the RAM, that’s fine – most computers have this feature. Almost all of the desktop systems out there shipped with memory are sufficient when they are purchased, but when the computer programs evolve and become more complex, they use up far more RAM in the system. Upgrading the memory will vary in cost, but it generally depends on the type of computer you have and how much memory you buy. For the most part, swapping out the memory chip works! It’s the cheapest and easiest hardware update you can make, and it’s important that you get the right chip for your laptop. Either way, it’s an option for an upgrade!

Hard Drive Gone Soft?

The next easiest upgrade for a computer is in the storage hard drive. The space for a hard drive usually doubles every couple of years, so it’s a good way to avoid the slowdown that’s inevitable for most computers that are running out of space. A new external hard drive is going to give your computer new life and you can also upgrade with an SSD for a pro-level upgrade. It will make a huge difference to the performance of your computer, too.


That CD Drive! Did you know that optical drives are getting more and more rare for computers? Most media is transitioning to USB flash drives, so burning CDs just isn’t a popular thing anymore. However, you can still upgrade your computer with an older CD burner or plain old CD-ROM, too. Most new computers don’t include these kinds of drives anymore, so it’s a good way to upgrade. There are plenty of options on the market, so have a look and see which will suit you.

New Video Cards

Almost all desktops have a video card, and yet you won’t need to upgrade yours unless you require extra performance for your computer. Are you using advanced games or do you have computationally complex programs running? Either way, you need to think about whether you need a new graphics card. If you do, then go for one that fits your budget and your needs. They run anywhere up to $1,000, so you have plenty to choose from!

Upgrading your computer shouldn’t be a hardship – you should be able to have a ton of fun with it and enjoy your new computer.