What "Futureproofing" Your PC Really Means (and How It Can Save You Money)

People throw the term "futureproof" around a lot when it comes to buying a computer, but it doesn't always mean what they think it does. Video blog NCIX Tech Tips shares their tips on when building a "futureproof" PC is possible, and how to save money doing it.

When people call a computer "futureproof", they usually mean to say that they won't have to buy another one for a long time. Obviously, this is very desirable, but because of the way certain computer hardware appreciates or depreciates, "futureproofing" a PC isn't as straightforward as buying a super expensive machine today so it'll last longer. RAM and hard drives, for example, are getting bigger and cheaper all the time, so you're actually better off buying a smaller drive now, as long as it'll get you by. You can always upgrade later, and you'll probably save money.

When it comes to other hardware, it's the opposite. If you buy a mediocre video card now with the intent to upgrade later, you'll probably spend more money in the long run than if you had just bought something more expensive at the beginning. As always, it's about buying what's right for your needs. It seems like a topic that would be mostly common sense, but even if you've built your own computer or two, I'd recommend checking it out. It's a good primer on how to get the most bang for your buck when you're buying a new PC, and you might catch something you didn't consider in the past. Plus, it's great for explaining to your less tech-savvy friends and relatives when they ask you to help them buy a futureproof machine.


Futureproofing Your PC - Dispelling Some of the Myths NCIX Tech Tips | YouTube


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This, as per lifehacker's amazing ability to know exactly what I'm planning to do, is extremely topical.

I haven't watched the video yet and maybe they mention it, but as I'm started to get better at upgrading my own computer I realize how incredibly easy it is to upgrade disc drives, hard drives, and ram.

Also that buying a large, expandable and easy to work with case matters a lot if you ever want to do your own upgrades. (My dell xps tower is so much more pleasant than one of those tiny cramped hp media center boxes I just had the misfortune of having to open)