Your PC is built with several components that can be upgraded:
Hard Drive
Hard drives hold data and programs. Data storage has become increasingly inexpensive. There is not much difference in cost between a midi-size drive and a larg-size drive. We recommend drives that have built-in "drop sensors" that quickly park the head to protect the drive from damage in case the computer is bumped or dropped.
Desktop computer hard drives typically hold up to 2TB (Terabytes) of storage. We recommend no larger that 640GB in size for reliability reasons. The larger the drive the higher the risk of data loss or failure.
Laptop hard drives are smaller, and therefore we recommend between 250GB to 320GB. 500GB is within tolerable risk if you really need that much space.
SSD (Solid State Drives) are an effective upgrade to improve the performance of your computer. SSD drives are generally smaller in size, and much more expensive per gigabyte than regular hard disk drives. However, SSD perform many times faster.
You would use the SSD as an additional drive to store the operating system and programs (because this is about all it has room for). Your regular hard drive will continue to hold your personal data files, such as documents, music and pictures.This upgrade will cause your computer to boot faster and your programs to load faster.
Always back up your data. Please see our backup page for recommendations on software and strategies.
Memory (RAM)
Memory (Random Access Memory) is what holds what is currently being worked on in your computer. Also referred to as volatile memory, the data stored in RAM is erased when the computer is turned off. The computer saves data from the RAM to your hard drive when needed. More memory in your computer gives it more room to "breathe" when you have multiple programs running. Newer operating systems (such as the latest versions of Windows) require more memory, and most newer software programs do too.
We recommend at least 2GB of memory for windows XP, and at least 4GB of memory for newer versions of Windows. 32 bit versions of windows utilize a maximum of about 3.5GB of memory. 64 bit versions can make use of as much memory as you can fit into the computer. The amount of RAM you can upgrade to depends on the motherboard. We can look up the type and maximum amount of RAM with a simple internet search for the make and model of your computer.
CPU
The CPU, or Central Processing Unit, is the "brain" of your computer. Most desktop motherboards are capable of accepting several different speeds and even types of CPUs. The users guide for the motherboard states which CPUs can be used with your computer. Laptop computers generally have the CPU soldered in, and therefore cannot be upgraded. Most desktop computers can be upgraded to a faster CPU, because top-of-the-line CPUs are rarely used on any motherboard.
Power Supply
The power supply in a desktop computer is about the size of a small tissue box. It supplies various voltages to the motherboard and hard drives. You may need to upgrade your power supply if the current one is becoming noisy, or if it does not supply enough power to support added components.
Cooling Fans
Your desktop computer can have several fans. The power supply has a fan, but it is less expensive to replace the power supply than to service the fan in it. The case may have up to several fans in it. The CPU has a heat sink and a fan to dissipate the heat away from the CPU. Without it, the CPU would burn up. Your video card may also have a fan.
Your motherboard has protection software to slow down the computer if it overheats, in order to keep it from burning up. If your computer is running very slowly, it may be clogged with dust. Use a can of compressed air to clean the dust out of the computer, using short blasts so as not to damage the plastic bushings.
If you upgrade the CPU in your computer, upgrade the heat sink and fan as well. New CPU heat sink/fan combinations are much quieter and more efficient.
We can replace your existing fans with very quiet fans. One type is the liquid cooled radiator. These are nearly silent. We can make your current computer run quietly at the same time as upgrading any or all of the above components.