Should you go for Computer upgrades ?

The average life of a desktop computer can be anything between two years and five years. So do you really think your desktop is now in the category of ‘Old computers’? Are you seriously thinking about computer upgrades? You think you need a better RAM? Or a larger hard disk? Or perhaps you are not happy with the operating system and need to upgrade all your graphic and video cards too. The scenario is very common. We see the marketing companies launch new and improved versions of products we had been using up till now and a part of us craves to upgrade to that new and improved version. You feel obsolete inside out. In time if most of your friends upgrade their PCs, you feel obligated to invest in yours too.

But stop and think; do you really need computer upgrades when your computer seems to be working just fine, without any major hitches. And are you sure the upgrade will be compatible and add to the functioning of the computer and will not cause new errors because most of the times. A good working computer when upgraded starts conking because of the up gradation, as it may be incompatible with the old drives or the operating system. And upgrading a computer that runs poorly doesn’t really improve its functioning. Normally upgrading the memory of your computer is the most cost effective upgrade.

Before you decide to go for computer upgradesyou should do your own research. Find out the make and year of your computer and find out what other people on public discussion forums say about upgrading your particular model. If you feel you need to go for the upgrade, do save up all your data and take back ups properly so that in the case of any eventuality you have your dare safe.Hardware upgradation can sometimes leave you with a very unstable computer.

Before thinking of computer upgrades, have you tried cleaning up your system properly to speed it up? Many a times the dust slows the computer down and is responsible for keeping unnecessary heat trapped in side, which in turn slows or stops the system form working in its optimum condition. Overall cost of the upgrade should be substantially less than the cost of replacement. Rule of the thumb is if the total cost of your computer upgrades were costing you more than 50 % of the cost of the new computer, it would be wise to invest in a completely new computer instead of spending your time and money on upgrading the old one.

Companies and professionals that deal in computer repair and maintenance can provide a more objective solution to your upgrading dilemmas. They can check your system and tell you if upgrading it would be worth your while or you can do just as well without it. They may also suggest some hardware and software upgrades for better functionality and can let you know if your system will be able to maintain its stability and whether or not you will have compatibility issues. They can also get you better deals on prices. It is always best to go with professional advice for computer upgrades.