Technology moves quickly. Your state-of-the-art smartphone or television might become obsolete in what feels like overnight. Computers are no exception.
That shiny, brand new desktop of yours might impress your friends today, but this time next year it might be chugging along at snail-like speeds just to load videos or games. Likewise, that huge hard-drive might fill up sooner than you think, especially if you use your computer to store data for work or if you have a large game collection.
Fear not, however. You can install new parts yourself without having to shell out extra cash to a computer repair shop or purchase a new machine. It’s easier than you might think.
One of the first things you might have to upgrade is your hard drive. Space is always limited and, if your work or hobbies use up storage, at some point you will run out. Investing in a new hard drive is worth the price, whether you are low on space, want to back up your system or fully revamp your computer.
Solid state drives are a great choice for those looking to upgrade their machines. If you are building your own system or replacing an old hard disk drive, SSDs will provide you with faster bootup speeds and data access. The data remains static within the solid drive; you don’t have to wait for the disc to spin and process, allowing for rapid startup speeds. The new MacBook Air laptop, which has been hailed for its instant bootups, uses SSDs.
Installing a new hard drive is not difficult. All you need is the new drive, screws, a screwdriver, and the confidence to overcome any hesitation about opening your computer. An anti-static bracelet is also recommended, as even unnoticeable static shocks can permanently damage a computer’s motherboard.
Most computer towers contain multiple hard drive bays. Once you find the right size screw and screwdriver, you simply need to set your new hard drive as either the “master” or “slave” (the hard drive’s manual will have instructions for this), connect it to the motherboard with a cable, mount it in the bay and screw it in. Some desktop towers even have screw-free hard drive bays. They use plastic sliders instead, which make the process significantly quicker.
One hard drive manufacturer even includes a do-it-yourself installation kit. The bundles contain a 2.5-inch SATA drive enclosure, the SSD of your choice, a spreading tool, multiple screwdrivers and instructions. Users can choose between a 40 GB SSD kit to provide just enough extra space for backup, or a 480 GB kit for a full upgrade.
Memory poses another issue for computers. The amount of memory required for applications constantly increases. If you purchased your computer with too little RAM, it’s only a matter of time before YouTube videos and games look more like slide shows on your computer.
If you’re looking to upgrade your RAM, buying some DRAM is a good bet. Global DRAM prices are in flux and will likely remain so for some time. Dramatic overstocks by DRAM suppliers have reduced prices. Regardless of the price, purchasing more memory is a worthwhile investment.
Much like hard drives, installing DRAM is not difficult. It usually requires no extra equipment. Make sure you purchase DRAM that is compatible with your motherboard by checking your system specifications. When you install it, you simply need to locate your computer’s RAM ports and snap the RAM in place. It’s that simple. As soon as you restart your machine, you’ll notice instant results.
It’s not hard to keep your computer up-to-date. Just keep track of developments in application and software requirements and, when necessary, purchase some upgrades. Installing them yourself is both frugal and rewarding. Your wallet and your computer will thank you.
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