Breaking the Computer Buying Cycle

Jacklyn J. Dyer February 28, 2023

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That New Computer Smell

If you are like most people when they exit and buy a new Personal Computer, you probably get excited when you take it out of the box, flip it on and marvel at how rapid it runs. When a computer is new, it always seems to run faster and boot up faster than your antique computer. The applications and games seem to run without any slow down, and whilst you get on the internet, the pages load immediately on display, and you can fast surf from one internet site to some other. Over time, your computer can slow down and not run as quickly as it did whilst it was new.

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This sluggish down can occur for an expansion of reasons, and while it takes place, it may be frustrating and spoil your computing experience. Often when this occurs, it can be corrected by either cleaning up your hard force or walking some diagnostics. For example, perhaps the laptop has a virus, and when you dispose of the virus, overall performance can be restored. What do you do, though, if you have accomplished all the one’s things and your computer continues to be walking slowly?

If your pc is running sluggish even after you have removed any viruses and tried to enhance system overall performance, it could suggest that the demands you are now putting on your computer have exceeded the computer’s capability.

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As we use our computers, we have a tendency to install new software packages and try and run extra programs concurrently. The new software we install can require greater computer sources which include more computer memory and a faster CPU or valuable processing unit to run the software program packages or games well.

If you’re like me, you like to have multiple software applications going for walks or a couple of net browser home windows open at an identical time. That may utilize more amounts of laptop assets as nicely. Of course, the extra sources you operate, the slower the laptop will run.

This is regular trouble in computing due to the fact computer era doubles kind of every 18 months. Software program developers create greater useful resource-eating software program packages in demand for greater characteristic-rich software program programs. To meet the extended demands of the software program, laptop producers maintain to build faster, more highly-priced computers. This, in my view, is a vicious cycle in which if you want to preserve fast and enjoyable computing enjoy, the pc user is forced to go out and purchase a new computer every few years.

Fortunately for me, I even have never had to worry about that trouble. I am a certified computer expert and were constructing and repairing computers for over 15 years. Therefore, when I need a quicker computer, I do not exit and purchase a new high-priced pc. I actually have discovered how to interrupt the new pc buying cycle by using upgrading my laptop. By upgrading my pc instead of buying a new one, I can simply make myself a quicker pc at a value fragment.

You can destroy the pc buying cycle too, and also you do now not must be a laptop expert like me to do it. You only need to recognize a few things about computer systems, be handy with a screwdriver and be able to observe a few simple instructions; however, earlier than you begin to consider upgrading your pc, it might be important to get a quick evaluation on how a computer works.

Computer Basics

Computers are made up of a combination of hardware and software programs operating together. When you aren’t familiar with how a computer functions, then it could seem very complex. You can lessen that complexity after you apprehend how a laptop works at a primary degree.

At its maximum primary level, a computer gets input and produces output. A computer receives enter via entering gadgets inclusive of the keyboard and mouse (hardware). Every time we click the mouse on a hyperlink or pass the mouse throughout the screen, we give the laptop input or preparation to do something.

The pc receives the input as an electronic sign created via the mouse click on or keystroke on the keyboard. This sign is transmitted through the computer and converted into digital records. It can be interpreted as instruction through the operating gadget, software utility, or recreation. (software program)

The pc approaches virtual training information and produces output as either an image or words on the pc screen or perhaps as a printout on a printer.

What makes a laptop rapid is its capacity to acquire, enter, and convey output speedy. There are numerous components a computer wishes with a view to function. However, there are three primary components that at once have an effect on how fast a laptop can function.

The 3 primary computer additives which manage the processing of entering and make a laptop fast are the:

Motherboard or Main System board
CPU or Central Processing Unit
RAM or Random Access Memory
The Motherboard

Without getting too technical, the Motherboard is the computer thing that connects all of the hardware together on the pc. So you ought to consider the Motherboard as a data freeway that hyperlinks together all of the additives of the computer and allows them to transmit data between every different and talk.

Every laptop factor on the computer connects to the Motherboard via being linked without delay to the Motherboard or connecting through a facts cable. The gadgets or components that connect with the Motherboard are the CPU, RAM Memory, Hard Drive, CD ROM/DVD pressure, Video Card, Sound Card, Network Card, Modem, Key Board, Mouse, and Monitor.

There are extra peripheral gadgets that could hook up with the Motherboard and a spread of information ports that can be related to the Motherboard, inclusive of a printer, virtual digital camera, microphone, and even an HDTV. These gadgets can connect to the Motherboard using one of the numerous ports such as a USB, Parallel, Fire-Wire, SATA (Serial-ATA), or HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) port.

In brief, the Motherboard supplied the records verbal exchange infrastructure, which allows communique between all of the gadgets. What makes one Motherboard quicker than any other is the number of statistics it can aid being transmitted across what’s referred to as it is facts BUS and the velocity at which it may transmit the data. One manner to consider it is in phrases of an avenue. Think of the records but as a street, and the facts are like motors using down the road. Older Motherboards verbal exchange became the equivalent of a two-manner two-lane road with a speed restriction of 25 MPH. Today the new Motherboards are like eight-lane highways with 200MPH velocity limits.

New Motherboards are faster because they can permit extra information from site visitors at higher speeds.

The CPU

The CPU or Processor is the mind of the pc. The CPU incorporates out all the commands that you, together with the Operating System, like Windows XP or Windows 7, ask it to do. CPUs can handiest carry out one coaching at a time, but they do it so speedy it looks as if they’re doing more than one task at one time or “Multitasking.”

Newer CPUs are faster because their “clock speed” or “clock cycle” is faster. The clock speed is the velocity at which a CPU can perform instructions. You can think about clock pace just like the timing of a metronome, the tool that helps musicians hold the proper musical time. A metronome has a hand on its front, which swings from side to side at a timing c language you put. As it swings back and forth, it ticks like a clock. Like the metronome, the CPU additionally ticks at a set c program language period, but a CPU ticks at an exceedingly rapid charge that’s measured in Mega or Gigahertz. Thus, the CPU consists of guidance on every tick of its clock cycle.

New CPUs can’t simplest perform commands at very excessive clock speeds, but they can also be made of a couple of CPU Cores. Each Core can carry out its own instructions. When you have a Dual Core CPU, it can carry out instructions simultaneously, and a Quad-Core CPU can perform 4. There are even six Core CPUs out now. Like the newer Motherboards, those CPUs also have a bigger Data BUS to send and acquire records faster thru the Motherboard, improving the computer’s overall performance.

RAM Memory

RAM or Random Access Memory stores all of the instructions you have requested the pc to perform. Every time we engage with our pc we’re developing practice statistics for the CPU to a system, or even the best interplay, like transferring the mouse throughout the display, requires many unmarried instructions the CPU ought to carry out. You can believe that playing a pc game or strolling a utility like Adobe Photo keep can create an excellent quantity of commands for the CPU. The CPU is speedy and can execute many commands speedy however it can not do them abruptly. That is why we need an area to keep the commands till they may be processed. This is why RAM changed into created.

RAM is largely the storage vicinity for all the commands that can be finished via the CPU. You can now and again tell when you do not have enough RAM when you have clicked at the mouse or hit the input key to provoke an application, and the hourglass just sits there spinning at the screen. It can seem that our pc has locked up or frozen but what’s truly going on is the computer is completing the series of commands it has been given earlier than it could perform any similar commands. When this occurs, we generally see it as the pc in short locking up. It is likewise very frustrating.

The high-quality way to resolve this problem is utilizing, in reality, including greater RAM to your pc. Adding greater RAM is possibly the easiest way to boom the overall performance of your pc. In addition, increasing the quantity of RAM in your pc can assist your pc run quicker because it allows your laptop to store greater commands. This lets the computer carry out quite a few commands while you continue to do your paintings, reducing the laptop freeze-ups.

The velocity of the RAM you operate also can assist the pc. If you use RAM that has a quicker Data Bus velocity, it could send the instructions it’s far storing to the CPU at a quicker fee. The faster the CPU gets the commands, the quicker it could convey them out and the quicker your laptop will run.

The amount and sort you can use are dictated utilizing the kind of CPU and Motherboard you use. The Bus velocity of the CPU and Motherboard, as well as the capability of RAM the Motherboard can apprehend, will determine what form of RAM and what sort of you may use.

Some Motherboards will assist you in installing as many as 32GBs of RAM, and maximum Motherboards will understand more than one Bus speeds so you can use numerous exceptional types of RAM. Generally talking, the quicker the BUS velocity and the larger garage capability of the RAM, the faster your pc will perform. The crucial issue to don’t forget, although, is that with larger capability and pace comes better fee.

What’s a quality about upgrading RAM is maximum Motherboards can accommodate numerous one-of-a-kind speeds and capacities of RAM so you can start off with a slower speed and smaller ability, on the way to be less luxurious, reducing your preliminary improvement fee and then later down the street you may improve your RAM to a bigger capacity and high velocity.

Replacing the Motherboard, CPU and RAM is actually lots less complicated than you might imagine. The CPU and RAM are, without delay, connected to the motherboard, so you can replace all 3 components simultaneously by virtually swapping out the motherboard.

To do that, you need to first determine what type of shape thing of motherboard your modern computer helps.

The Motherboard Form Factor

Many pc manufacturers, including HP, Compaq, Dell, Gateway, Emachines, and Acer, build their computer systems primarily based on 4 number one motherboard shape factors or layout specifications, and they may be:

ATX = Full-Size Motherboard generally located in full-size Desktop computers and Towers
Micro-ATX = Mid Size motherboard determined in Mid Tower and Smaller Desktops
Mini-ATX = Small Motherboard located in Mid Towers, Smaller Desktops
Mini-ITX = Newest motherboards petite length observed in new smaller towers and desktops
These form elements discuss with the scale of the Motherboard itself. The pc case is designed to deal with a selected length of Motherboard. Once you have determined which shape issue your pc model is, you must purchase the perfect shape element Motherboard that suits your computer fashions case.

It would work like this. Let’s say you’ve got an HP Pavilion 750n computer pc. This is an older computer with a single-core processor. Nice laptop whilst it first came out but very sluggish by state-of-the-art requirements. So you decide which you need to make it faster by upgrading it to a Quad-Core CPU; however, you want to determine if you can improve it.

You can decide whether or no longer you can improve that precise pc by going to the HP guide website. On the website, you’ll type in your laptop model and observe the hardware specifications for that pc. HP will list the shape aspect data in the specs manual. Having done this generally, I already know the 750n makes use of a Micro-ATX form thing.

Each laptop producer I named has a support web page on their website to determine your fashion shape aspect. You can also search on Yahoo, Google, or Bing and ask what shape issue your computer model is. If that does not include paintings, in reality, e-mail me or depart a comment on this article, and I can help you find it.

Once you recognize the sort of shape aspect your pc version supports, you’re now geared up to determine what performance level you would like to upgrade your computer too. The performance level of the computer is generally dictated by the CPU it uses. You may additionally recall I indicated the CPU is regularly known as the mind of the pc because it approaches all the commands. It sets the computer system’s typical velocity primarily based on it is clock velocity. Since the computer system’s universal pace is set by way of the CPU, you normally start your improvement with the aid of figuring out the CPU overall performance level you want.

How you decide which overall performance stage you would like to improve to can be based on how you use your computer and what sort of you need to spend to upgrade it. Generally speaking, if you simplest use your pc to send and get hold of e-mail, browse the web, and store and proportion digital pix from a digital camera, you can best need to upgrade to a Dual Core CPU to noticeably improve your computing experience.

If you play lots of games, burn DVDs, edit films or sound documents, and work with high decision images or photographs, then you can want to choose a Quad-Core CPU to increase performance and improve your computing revel in.

From a value perspective, you may count on paying greater for a faster CPU than you would for a slower CPU, and Quad-Core CPUs are usually greater luxurious than Dual Cores. But, as a rule, I believe you should buy as lots as you can for as little as possible that manner you get the maximum to your money and also you won’t upgrade again for quite a while.

When you’re prepared to pick your CPU, you will have picks based on producer and kind, and they’re also are some differences between the various kinds of CPUs from each producer that you have to be aware of.

There are 3 number one CPU manufacturers Intel, AMD, and Motorola, but for the purpose of this article, we’re simplest going to attend on Intel and AMD. Motorola is typically accountable for making CPUs for Apple Computers. Apple computer systems are a proprietary pc version, and it could be greater hard and greater steeply-priced to improve an Apple computer.

This article is centered on helping the finances conscious, who personal what’s generally known as an IBM like the minded computer, upgrade their pc without problems and inexpensively. IBM well-suited computer systems are identified as computer systems that commonly run a Microsoft Windows-based working machine, including Windows XP or Windows 7. In addition, Intel and AMD manufacture CPUs that guide IBM well-matched computers, so those are the 2 producers we can attend on.

For the cause of this article, I am now not going to enter first-rate detail approximately the differences among Intel and AMD CPUs. There is already a vast quantity of distinct statistics to be had at the net, which describes each manufacturer’s CPU chip structure and offers facet through side assessment.

I might invite you to research how every manufacturer’s chips are designed, after which evaluate a website that benchmarks each CPUs performance. There are many links on CPU layout, comparisons, and reviews on the web, which will help you make your CPU desire.

The triumphing sentiment concerning AMD vs. Intel is that both CPUs, in both Dual or Quad Core configuration, perform further, with Intel being barely faster. Intel CPUs have usually been related to executing commercial enterprise packages quickly, whilst AMD CPUs run multimedia applications fast. As you study their benchmark scores, you will see Intel on a graph seems to dramatically outperform AMD, but while you look at the duration of time among the two, it is minimum.

Where you will see a vast difference between the 2 producers is in value. AMD CPUs are nearly continually less high-priced than Intel CPUs. The question I continually ask my clients is, “Is a four 2d quicker speed difference worth an extra $two hundred or $three hundred dollars more through shopping for an Intel CPU?” To me, it isn’t.

I am seeking out a basic performance boom as compared to what I am currently the use of. Once you improve your computer, you aren’t going to be evaluating it to every other laptop of the same overall performance; you may be comparing it to the speed of your final laptop. If after you improve, you find your computer runs considerably faster than your final laptop, and it did not cost a whole lot to be able to gain that overall performance boom, you will be satisfied together with your upgrade, and that is what is important.

CPU Cache

Earlier I indicated that RAM stores all of the coaching facts being transmitted to the CPU and laptop. The CPU Cache is any other shape of high-speed reminiscence simplest it’s far particularly dedicated to the CPU. It has been proven that a CPU can provide procedure data faster if greater of the information it ought to system may be saved on reminiscence positioned towards the CPU itself.

All CPUs include a cache; however, some more modern CPUs will include an additional cache. This is quicker and might keep more facts in the direction of the CPU. Typically CPUs operating at a better clock velocity and having an extra, quicker cache will offer higher overall performance.

A good instance of this is the difference between the AMD Athlon and Phenom Series of CPUs. Both the Athlon and Phenom series are available in Dual and Quad Core configurations; however, the Phenom Series has a further L3 cache making the CPU faster. It also makes a Phenom series CPU extra luxurious than the Athlon Series.

Another thrilling tidbit is there’s now a version II for each of the Athlon and Phenom Series. Version II gives a greater, quicker cache. Consequently, both CPUs are supposed to be faster than their predecessors; however, the benchmark numbers show a relatively small increase in performance.

Be sure to perform a little study on the variations between the AMD and Intel CPUs and pick the only one you feel may be appropriate to your computing wishes whilst assembly your financial goals. Once you have selected the CPU you want, you may then be equipped to select the Motherboard that supports now not only your CPU however your pc shape aspect as properly.

One remaining issue concerning CPUs is that both AMD and Intel have extraordinary CPU shape elements, so while you are selecting a Motherboard for the shape issue that meets your computer’s specifications, you may want to choose the one that fits your CPU choice. This might also appear complex, but it isn’t that hard after you start searching at the Motherboard and CPU combos.

The resellers I actually have shown you have got filtering options on their internet pages which assist you in picking out Motherboards that can guide both AMD or Intel. You also can filter through each CPU and computer form thing as properly, which permits you to narrow down your selection making.

Once you have decided on the CPU, you want to pick the Motherboard, a good way to guide the CPU you’ve got selected. As far as Motherboards move, there are numerous most important manufacturers of Motherboards, and they all produce the 4 predominant styles of Motherboard shape elements. The main manufacturers are:

ASUS
Biostar
Gigabyte
MSI
Foxconn
ECSJetway
Zotac
This may seem like plenty to pick out from; however, as you begin to filter out on the CPU kind, you can narrow down your focus and make selecting the right Motherboard simpler.

Each motherboard will include not unusual features which are essential for popular pc operations, and some can include extra functions which could or may not be useful to you. The number one issue to don’t forget about the Motherboard is that each component connects to it, and you may pick to personalize your pc upgrade as a great deal or as little you need depending on the Motherboard you purchase.

For example, you should purchase a Motherboard with the video and sound card incorporated into the board. This saves you both money and time as it gets rid of the want for you to pick out a video or sound card; however, if you want a selected video or sound card, you may pick a Motherboard that does not come with those incorporated components and then pick the video and sound card you would love to put in as add-in playing cards onto the Motherboard.

Here is a list of not unusual Motherboards capabilities:

Keyboard and Mouse input frequently referred to as a PS2 connector
USB – Universal Serial Bus ports for connecting pc peripherals with (Keyboard, Mouse, Printer, Digital Camera, outside Hard Drive and many others…)
Parallel Printer Port (not as tons in more modern motherboards as printers use USB)
Local Area Network or LAN connection for a network or internet connection
Dial-up Modem (now not as common in more recent boards due to high-speed net connections)
Optional Motherboard Features:

1394 or Fire-cord connection (higher speed statistics connection)
External SATA or Serial-ATA connection (better pace information connection designed to connect external SATA devices consisting of a Hard Drive)
HDMI – High-Definition Multimedia Interface to attach an HD Monitor or TV, or to an external High Definition Audio factor
We touched on RAM earlier, and we realize that the RAM you select needs to be supported utilizing the CPU and Motherboard you select. To make it simple, it breaks down like this when upgrading. The CPU determines the kind of Motherboard you have to pick, and your computer model determines the kind of Motherboard shape factor you choose.

The Motherboard will dictate what sort of RAM you may be capable of using to make your selection easier. The simplest thing you’ll determine in terms of RAM is the scale of RAM which means the number of Gigabytes, Gigs, or GBs of RAM you choose and the RAM pace you choose.

One different aspect you have to be aware of is the newer Operating Systems such as Windows Vista and Windows 7 require at least 2GBs of RAM to run nicely, so you will need to pick out a minimum 2GBs of RAM when you upgrade. Knowing this can make your selection regarding the amount of RAM pretty clear-cut. As far as the velocity of RAM you pick out, that again will depend on the speeds the Motherboard will assist, the amount of performance you need, and what sort of you’re inclined to spend.

As ways as determining the velocity of RAM, your Motherboard will aid that is not difficult to decide. As you start to take a look at Motherboards, you may see they surely specify the kind and speed of RAM they said.

I have protected several information up so far, and I wish you have got better know-how of what is required for you to pick out the Motherboard, CPU, and RAM additives you would want to improve your current laptop. Buying those components and upgrading them yourself is some distance less costly than going out and buying a brand new laptop, and I am assured with this facts as a place to begin you too can keep cash purchase upgrading the computer your self.

There are but two crucial extra portions of the information you should recognize before you try to upgrade your laptop.

1. Before you upgrade your contemporary laptop, you ought to again up all of your essential facts directly to an external storage device which includes an external hard pressure, USB soar pressure, or burns it onto a CD or DVD.

The reason this is critical is when you improve one’s additives, you may be pressured to reinstall the running system and on the way to erase all the present-day records for your hard pressure. In addition, if you do not have an installation disk in your current running device, you will want to buy a new replica of Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 7 to put in as soon as you have upgraded the additives. This won’t truly be a prime problem for you if you have been already considering upgrading to a more recent Windows model. Also, I allow you to find a cheaper reproduction of the Windows operating device if you it.

2. The new additives you may need installation in your modern PC can be greater superior from a strength intake point of view, and upgrade them will maximum in all likelihood require you to additionally upgrade your electricity delivery.

The improvement is not costly and is completely smooth to perform. You’ll want to choose the kind of electricity supply that may be roughly 400 watts as a minimum and will need to be a 20×4 pin or 24 pin power supply. This is the form of strength deliver supported through the more moderen Motherboards. Again the Motherboard specs will indicate the energy delivery requirements.

To make your pc quicker, all you need to do is improve the Motherboard, CPU, and RAM. You begin by identifying the form of Motherboard form issue your modern computer will guide and the overall performance level you need to improve. Then you purchase the CPU that suits your overall performance desires in conjunction with the Motherboard and RAM that suits each of your computer version and CPU specifications.

The one issue I did not cowl is the actual setup of these components once you have purchased them and are geared up to put in. To an excessive degree, the method is not anything extra then:

Unplugging the laptop and disconnecting all peripheral additives along with the keyboard, mouse, and monitor from the case
Before you open the computer, discharge yourself electrically or buy a static strap to floor yourself to the chassis, this may help you avoid static discharge, which can fry a laptop aspect.
Removing the face cover of the laptop case
Disconnecting all the strength cables and Data cables from the old Motherboard
Unscrewing and doing away with the vintage Motherboard from the case
Unscrewing and removing the antique strength deliver
Install the brand new electricity delivery
Install the new Motherboard into the case
Reconnecting all of the electricity and records cables
Powering the computer back up and listening for correct publish sound
Now you are prepared to install the running gadget
I recognize as soon as you make a decision to start this method, you’ll have many questions, which are why there may be one closing aspect I could suggest you do earlier than you start to upgrade your pc.

Many do it your self-laptop restore and improve manuals available online, and they can provide you all with the help you need to make your laptop improve. Many of the books will offer you little by a little explanation on how to replace just about every issue on your computer and provide you with particular diagrams so that you can see a way to virtually perform the removal or install. I could suggest you’re making small funding and buy this sort of book.

If I could endorse any do-it-yourself computer manually, it might be “Self Computer Repair Unleashed.”This book covers all components of pc improve and restore in a clean, concise format and provides complete color diagrams and step-by-step commands to help you via any computer upgrade or restore. I can not suggest this book sufficient. I have provided a hyperlink to this e-book on the hyperlinks page of my internet site below in my signature.

I thank you for studying my article, and I desire it has inspired you to exit and address what you may have initially thought changed into an impossible project. You can upgrade your laptop yourself and keep yourself several money too.