Sometimes you don't need to change computers to improve it, sometimes you just need to replace one or two hardware parts to give new life to an old and slow PC too. It is therefore interesting to understand which hardware updates have the most impact on the performance of a computer, which changes improve the PC more and how to enhance it from the hardware point of view, that is by buying new parts to replace the old ones .
These replacements can be done almost entirely on an assembled desktop computer, while more limited but still possible on a laptop that can however have some welded and non-upgradeable pieces.
Below, therefore, we analyze the most effective hardware changes and upgrades to improve a PC, also based on the expenditure that would have to be made.
1) Enhance the RAM
Adding more memory is the simplest and least expensive upgrade for a PC and can be done both on desktops and laptops without particular technical difficulties.
The addition of RAM, until a few years ago when there were only 2 GB of RAM on cheap PCs, was almost a must for everyone.
Today, adding RAM is a mandatory step only if your computer has less than 4GB of memory and if you intend to use a 64-bit operating system.
The maximum RAM supported on Windows 32 bit is in fact 4 GB so increasing it is of little use.
However, if you decide to switch from Windows 32 bit to Windows 64 bit, then adding RAM up to 8 GB or even up to 16GB certainly makes sense and utility.
READ ALSO: How to increase the Ram and add new memory to the PC
2) Graphics card
Changing the video card to put a more powerful one is something worth the expense only if you use the PC with the latest generation video games or if you use heavy graphics programs.
Who is not a serious player, who does not work with 3D graphics manipulation or video editing, then does not need to buy a better graphics card.
READ ALSO: Which video card (graphics card) to buy for the computer
3) Disc
If there is a normal hard disk inside the PC, replacing it with an SSD is by far the most effective hardware modification for any computer, be it a desktop or laptop PC.
We have already talked about the differences between hard disk and SSD pointing out with some emphasis how much faster the SSD is than the HDD.
In my experience it was amazing how a computer that I thought I should throw away is back to running with this simple hardware change.
If the operating system and programs are installed on the SSD, the hard disk can remain in the PC as a data archive, so as to have all the space you need.
In other articles we have seen:
- Best SSD drives to buy to make your PC go as fast as a tablet
- How to update the laptop disk with a new SSD
- Move Windows to SSD without reinstalling everything
4) Processor
Changing processors to a PC is less simple than changing other components such as those seen above.
In the meantime it can serve the hand of a technician if you are not sure of what you are doing and then the processor also has a high cost.
In addition to this, the only update of the processor with a more powerful one can not bring any improvement if the rest of the computer remains the same and can create compatibility problems by requiring more RAM and changing the entire motherboard.
Switching processors can be effective for PC performance if you switch to a new one that is significantly more powerful than the old one.
In the end you can first change the PC with a new one, perhaps by keeping the disk, RAM and video card of the old one.
5) Other components
Except for the 4 above, all the rest of a computer's hardware can be changed and improved, but without gaining in performance and speed.
- Changing the motherboard does not mean doing a hardware upgrade or a modification of the computer, but practically means changing computers.
You can definitely buy a new motherboard and mount it in the old PC (it's very tiring), but you shouldn't expect any speed increase.
- Updating your PC to Windows 10 is an effective way to renew your computer, at least from the point of view of its functions.
- Software updates are always very important, not so much for improving program and system performance, but for security reasons.
In addition to Windows and programs, it is important to install hardware driver updates, which can really fix problems and improve computer stability.
- A bigger and better monitor will certainly be an important purchase for those who work with photos while a second monitor to be placed next to the first is something very useful for programmers.
- A better and ergonomic keyboard can finally be recommended for those who write a lot.
In conclusion, as already mentioned in another article, to improve a PC even a laptop you have to change the disk and add RAM .
Of course, if it is a very old computer, even these changes will not benefit and it will certainly be better to buy a new PC in full, without wasting time, money and effort in trying to improve it.
The old PC can always be optimized with a light Linux system.
