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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
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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. |
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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.
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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.
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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. |
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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. |
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22" Wide Screen Monitor

Dual Monitors
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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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