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Hardware Upgrades:

If you are not intimately familiar with the components of your computer, the task of upgrading can seem a little daunting. You may wonder how to determine what you should upgrade or if it is it even possible for you to perform an upgrade. Once upon a time, computers were difficult to work with.

But today, manufacturers work hard to make your computer's hardware as easy to work with as the software that runs on it. In fact, the hardware below can quickly and easily get yourself onto the right upgrade path.

Performance, Reliability & Ease of you................

 

RAM or Random Access Memory is a critical component for a computer to run properly. Having not enough RAM can render a computer useless over time due to too many programs or applications being used at the same time. The more applications a person opens, the more RAM is needed to run those applications. Today, most computer manufacturers sell new computers with at least 512MB of RAM. Compared to a few years ago, the minimum amount was 256MB. And before that, the minimum amount was 128MB or even 64MB. The increase is due to the complexity of the software and Operating systems that are being installed on the computer. For example, Windows XP has a bare minimum RAM requirement of 64MB to operate. But according to Microsoft, it is recommended to have 128MB to "increase performance". As for myself currently working in the PC support industry, you really need at least 256-512MB of RAM to get any type of performance out of Windows XP. If not, as soon as you start installing any type of games or database intensive software, the computer will slow down dramatically. Of the people that I support either at work or my personal clients, one of the main issues is not having enough RAM installed.

As another example, if an application uses 128MB of RAM, and the PC only has 128MB installed, that application will do one of two things:

1) Not even launch

2) Will launch, but then the PC will become unstable and eventually lock up.

When a PC runs of out RAM (or its all being used) then the PC will have to find RAM from somewhere else. Usually this means it converts some hard drive space into a term called Virtual RAM. This slows the computer down even more since its using "fake" RAM to try to help the computer run. Then the issue of available hard drive space becomes a factor. If you are low on hard drive space and the PC is attempting to convert some of the space into Virtual RAM, the PC will become even more unstable. You do not want to get to this point because again, the PC will eventually crash or lock up.

Bottom line, you can never have too much RAM installed in your PC. If you can afford it, I recommend purchasing the most amount of RAM that will fit on your PC. Usually these days, most newer PCs will hold 4GB of RAM. And of course, most PCs now come with Windows Vista pre-installed. Windows Vista will not even run with less than 1GB of RAM! So if you plan on upgrading your PC, spend some extra money to increase RAM as far as it will go.

Things to consider in a video card are its need and cost compared to what it can do for you. The more on board memory the better the card.

A video card basically talks to the processor and helps communicate between you and the computer. This is then sent to the monitor and you see what is translated from the processor. IE: games and graphics, etc. .

The more the memory on the Video card, the less it needs to take from the computer's memory. This makes the monitor work faster and is better for gaming and graphics.

Keep in mind that in the past basic guidelines for memory on a video card was 128 MB. Now its between 256 and 512 MB. With 512 being something to shoot for if you can afford it.

Of course if money were no object they have even fancier cards with higher refresh rates (Faster recovery), and higher resolution.

Power supplies may not be as glamorous as ultrafast CPUs, humongous hard drives, or the latest 3D graphics cards, but cooling and power components are the oft-forgotten workhorses every PC relies on. If you plan to add new components, make sure your power supply can handle the added load.

Alas, some PC makers scrimp by installing cheap power supplies that can't handle varying wall voltage or voltage spikes or can't provide the clean DC power needed for long PC life. Worse, many use inexpensive "sleeve-bearing" fans that wear out in a year or so; a CPU fan failure can cause the processor to fry in minutes. Long-life ball-bearing fans are essential.

Actually, power supply failures aren't unusual. They can be hard to diagnose, but if the fan on the back of the power supply isn't spinning, that's usually a good indication the supply has expired. You can also use a voltmeter to see if voltage is reaching the power supply connectors.

Even if your PC's power supply seems okay, a new one provides clean power and high-capacity cooling--and is usually quieter than the original equipment.

One of the deadliest threats to your personal computer is heat!  Today's processors and video cards use smaller and smaller technologies running at faster and faster speeds. 

The result is ever greater amounts of waste heat.  Without the right kinds of computer cooling, heat can destroy your high speed computer. 

Ever computers fresh out of the box can benefit from improved case fans and CPU processor fans. 

By upgrading your computer cooling system you can have cooler systems and dramatically extend the reliable life of your computer. 

In many cases you can even improve the performance of your computer by cooling - memory and processors can run faster when cool. 

Manufacturers make a wide variety of accessories for computer cooling that make cooler systems.

Freeing yourself from desktop cable clutter can be an uplifting experience. Once you discover the joys of using a wireless mouse and keyboard, you'll never want to return to your primitive tethered existence.

Upside: The benefits of wireless input devices speak for themselves: freedom of movement and no tangled mess on your desk. Logitech offers a Wireless keyboard & mouse & the mouse is optical, too, so you don't have to worry about a rollerball becoming encrusted with grime and gunk.

The keyboard's 14 hot keys provide quick access to e-mail, the Web, and other programs, and batteries are, in fact, included for both components.

Downside: Battery life is always a question with wireless technology, and the Logitech Wireless Keyboard and Optical Mouse is no exception; you'll need to keep a stash of AAA batteries for the keyboard and AAs for the mouse. The mouse has two buttons and a scrollwheel.

Outlook: This simple keyboard and mouse duo brings wireless input to the people.

22" Wide Screen Monitor

 

 

 

 

 

Dual Monitors

LCD monitors have thin flat screen. They therefore occupy very less space and are lighter than the old CRT monitors. LCD monitors can be fixed even on wall.

Display Size: Even though the display size of a CRT monitor is calculated diagonally, the actual display size is smaller. For instance a 17" CRT monitor will actually have a display size of only 16" However, the display size of 17" LCD monitor will have 17" display size.

Resolution: CRT monitors can show different resolutions. The resolution can be changed as required. LCD Monitors will have Native Resolution and therefore has a fixed resolution. The best resolution will be the native resolution for that LCD monitor.

Viewing Direction: A CRT screen can be viewed from all directions. And from different distance. But LCD monitors cannot be viewed from all directions. LCD monitors can only be viewed straight. Therefore its viewing direction is limited. If viewed from other directions the colors will change and sometimes the vision will be unclear if not viewed straight. But in recent years the new LCD monitors have improved on this defect.

Radiation Emission: The radiation emission in CRT monitors are higher. This will not be visible normally but it will affect eyesight and may cause head ache. Long term use of these monitors may even affect the eyes adversely. LCD monitors do not have this type of Radiation emission. Therefore LCD monitors are good for the eyes.

Price: CRT monitors are priced very cheap. However they consume more power. LCD monitors are priced higher, but they consume less electricity. Though the electricity consumption is not very significant for personal use, it is very cost efficient in big organizations with many computers.

Monitor Specs

Text and images (scans of census records) are crisper and sharper and the LCD monitor is easier on your eyes.

Dot pitch: This is the space between dots and is measured in fractions of a millimeter, e.g., .25mm. The smaller the number the better because the dots are tighter. Many manufacturers don't even list the dot pitch anymore and you probably won't be able to tell the difference between a .22 and .27 pitch anyway. So, if you like the monitor then don't worry about the dot pitch.

Brightness: How bright is the picture, expressed as cd/m (I have no idea what the units mean). Look for a brightness level of 200 cd/m or greater. Again, if the monitor specs don't list this value (not all do) be sure you can get your money back. If the lighting in your office (kitchen table) is subdued the brightness factor won't be as important as if you have a lot of sunlight streaming in. Don't pay extra for extra brightness unless you're worried about bright sunlight. Overall, the contrast ratio will have a bigger impact on picture quality.

Monitor's size: Traditional monitors are similar to a TV because both of them have the CRT (Cathode Ray Tube). That is the reason for its bigger size. It therefore occupies more space at the desk. It is also heavy. However, LCD monitors have thin flat screen. Therefore occupies very less space and is lighter than the CRT monitor. LCD monitors can be fixed even on wall. Display Size: Even though the display size of a CRT monitor is calculated diagonally, the actual display size is smaller. For instance a 17" CRT monitor will actually have a display size of only 16" However, the display size of 17" LCD monitor will have 17" display size.

Resolution: CRT monitors can show different resolutions. The resolution can be changed as required. LCD Monitors will have Native Resolution and therefore has a fixed resolution. The best resolution will be the native resolution for that LCD monitor.

 

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Last modified: July 18, 2010 10:21:03 AM
 
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