Software of the present generation are generally abundant resource demands on the hardware to run it. This kind of software is often frustrating when run on old machines with hardware configuration mediocre.
For computer users who have deep pockets, it is easy to be tricked by buying a new computer that has a more adequate specification. But not so with those who have a limited budget. In this case, the action is often taken is to upgrade the computer system. Because of the high price of peripherals, the decision to perform the upgrade action needs to be done carefully in order to achieve optimal results as expected. Upgrade improper could mean that your investment will be wasted.
Here is presented tips to identify the problem and determine the type of upgrade is right for your hardware, including what things should be considered when performing an upgrade action.
Processesor
If the computer is likened to a human body, then the processor is the brain. Most computer processing speed based on the processor installed in it. So, if you are using a computer to run applications "heavy" that require high processing speeds, such as CAD, advanced graphics applications, or program the latest games, then upgrade the processor becomes the primary option.
Upgrade this type requires some consideration, especially regarding the configuration that has been installed previously. For users Pentium Classic / MMX for example, upgrade to Pentium II or higher processor will also require replacement mainboard. Similarly, for the upgrade of the processor series Pentium 3 to Pentium 4, also require a new mainboard suitable, while for mainboard Pentium II, especially for the last generation, is usually also support up to Pentium 3. Double-check your mainboard specifications to determine the support for processor The new to be installed.
Several other peripherals also have to be adapted to the processor installed. VGA card for example. Mainboard that supports Pentium-class processor 4 generally no longer supports AGP VGA card with the type of the old generation. Make sure you are using an AGP 4x or 8x for mainboard Pentium 4 or you will bear the risk of potentially fatal damage.
Casing and power supply also needs special attention. If you are upgrading from an old PC with AT power supply, then inevitably, you must replace the casing at the same power supply is used. Mainboard for processor type Pentium II and above using the ATX power supply types and have different layouts so there may be installed on the old PC casing (486 / Pentium Classic). Processor type Pentum 4 or Athlon / Duron require a power supply with a large enough power (350 watts). To be safe, do not try to install a processor of these types on a power supply with a power less than that.
If funds are limited, you do not need to force yourself to buy the fastest processor, but you still need to think about the ease of performing future upgrades. Do not try to save money by buying a processor that is already outdated because if one day you have to perform the upgrade, then you have to spend more money to pursue compatibility with peripherals available. To work around this, you can buy the latest generation processor, but with a lower speed. The important thing your mainboard supports processors with higher speeds, because sooner or later, one day you anyway need to upgrade again. To that end, do not forget to pay attention to the specifications chipset on your mainboard.
Adding RAM Capacity
Now if you are a user of business applications / general commercial (word processing, spreadsheet / spreadsheets, and so on), then your computer will spend more time to access the data rather than the data processing which requires a fast processor performance. In this case, the upgrade is to add the right amount of RAM installed on your system.
Applications today are generally able to work on 64 MB of RAM, but this is minimal configuration. In addition, the RAM for it also to be divided for the operating system files and DLL files and programs resident. As a result, the system was forced to use hard disk space as virtual memory. The use of Virtual Memory is too large causes system performance to be slow because of the speed of Hard Disk access is much lower than Physical Memory. Virtual memory normal big maximum is one and a half times the capacity of RAM installed on the system.
64 MB RAM capacity is considered adequate for the current size, but even then only for the operating systems Windows 9x / Me. For OS Windows XP / Windows 2000 and above, there was no choice but to put up a minimum of 128 MB of RAM, unless you have a degree of patience that is extremely high. But when there are excess funds consider using a RAM capacity of 256 MB. The bigger the better clear
The type of RAM installed should also be a concern. Today the use of RAM type SDRAM already being abandoned because of limitations when used on a system with a faster processor, such as the class Pentium 4. Instead, the available RAM types RDRAM / DDRAM. Because of the price difference is not too far away with SDRAM, it is advisable to install DDRAM, especially if you have a mainboard that supports the use of this type of RAM.
Graphics card (Graphics Card)
You already have a computer with the fastest processor and RAM capacity is abundant, but system performance still feels like a creep while the display on the screen seem stilted. In this case, you need to look at the specification graphics card (graphics card / VGA card) you are using. Such cases seem to imply that you need to replace the VGA card installed on your system with more reliable types.
In the selection of the hardware configuration that will be installed, component VGA Card is often regarded as peripheral support is not too important. This is a false assumption because the slow VGA system would not be able to match the performance of the system thus causing the bottleneck that ultimately affect the performance of your system.
Currently, the market supply of various brands and types of graphics cards. Among the many options available, we can narrow down based on the specifications we need. First we can look at the interface. Graphics card to a computer with a Pentium II processor and above generally use AGP interface, while the same peripherals to a computer with a Pentium processor generations old, usually using the PCI interface. AGP graphics card has a higher bandwidth than PCI type, thus will be able to compensate for the performance of a fast processor to be able to minimize the bottleneck. We could install a PCI graphics card in a new type of computer, but this is not recommended because this action will reduce the speed of the system in any significant degree.
In addition to the interface, we also must consider the amount of memory installed on the graphics card. The greater the memory that is attached, of course, the better. For the latest generation computer, you should use a minimum of 32 MB of memory. Large memory on the graphics card used to support the use of the resolution and the maximum number of colors. In addition, the processing of graphics routines can also be done more efficiently with an internal memory on the graphics card rather than on system memory.
Lastly, you need to pay attention to the type of GPU (graphics pocessing unit) on the graphics card of your choice. GPU is usually associated as the main chip installed on the graphics card. Component selection is closely related to the functions required of a graphics card (whether it will be used for purposes of design / CAD, multimedia, or games). You can consult the vendor or read a review of media computer to determine a graphics card that fits the needs and budget available.
Most motherboards available today have a VGA card installed onboard (built-in). It also uses a VGA memory taken from system memory (shared memory). It is mainly found in the value class mainboard aimed at consumers who are sensitive to the issue price. You see, VGA card is one component of the peripherals that are quite expensive. Unless you are sure that you do not need the VGA card is fast enough, then you can ignore this issue, but if you take advantage of applications that exploit the use of graphics (gaming or animation design), the onboard VGA is definitely not the ideal choice.
Hard Disk
Hard disk counted as a vital component in a system. In many systems that rely on data intensive processing on a large scale, high-speed hard disk to be the key of a good performance. Current hard disks available in the market is very varied, both about the capacity and price. At least there are three things that need to be considered in giving a hard disk, namely capacity, interface, and speed of rotation.
Problem capacity hard disk will certainly depend on the needs. If a few years ago with a capacity of 1.2 Gigabyte hard disk is 'luxury goods', so now tens of gigabytes of hard disk capacity is already a regular item. To select the most ideal capacity, try thorough list price offered by your vendor. Typically for a hard disk with a certain capacity, offering only the price difference is very thin with a capacity of over it. In this case, you would have to be rational to seek the greatest capacity where the price difference is still quite far above capacity.
About the interface used, an outline of currently available two types of interfaces for the hard disk is ATA / Ultra ATA and SCSI. The most common interface for personal purposes is Ultra ATA. Hard disks that use this interface is divided into ATA 100 and ATA 133. Figures 100 and 133 show the data transfer speed. The ATA 133 to be faster. SCSI hard disk while it is more widely used for servers or systems that require a hard disk very quickly. Because the price is quite expensive, so this interface is rarely used for personal purposes.
Last question rotational speed. What is meant in this case is the rotation speed of data storage disk (platter) on the hard disk. Hard disk rotation speed correlated with the speed of data access. The higher the rotational speed of a hard disk (expressed in RPM, Race Per Minutes / revolutions per minute), then access will be faster. Currently, for the Ultra ATA interface, available speed 5400 and 7200 RPM. There are also vendors that offer up to 9500 RPM rotational speed, although still rare. For personal purposes, the actual RPM 5400 is sufficient, but if the budget available is quite loose, there is no harm in buying that RPM was higher.
Other Peripheral
Some types of peripherals directly affect system performance, while others only serve as complementary facilities without any influence on the speed. Many PC users who are stuck to upgrade by installing a peripheral-peripheral to the specifications that are not so required. This is actually a waste considering the amount of funds spent is not worth the benefit gained. Choose peripherals that fit your needs, do not need to pursue sky-high specification as advertised vendors when you really do not need it.
If you need a modem with a higher speed, it is only natural because it will affect the cost of credit to be issued for online to the Internet, but if you choose a modem from famous brands with a myriad of features that do not really need, it is clearly redundant. Similarly, the sound card. If you are not an audiophile (audio maniac) and only has a pair of small speakers to play MP3 as typing when his friend, is not necessary to spend lots of money to buy a sound card that is "wow". Almost all the mainboard that exists today has been packed with the internal audio chip that is sufficient so that no longer fitted with a sound card.
Another example is the CD-ROM. Although the CD-ROM is now available up to 52x speed, but if your old CD-ROM 24x speed is still working normally and able to handle a good job, why should you upgrade? Use your money wisely!
For computer users who have deep pockets, it is easy to be tricked by buying a new computer that has a more adequate specification. But not so with those who have a limited budget. In this case, the action is often taken is to upgrade the computer system. Because of the high price of peripherals, the decision to perform the upgrade action needs to be done carefully in order to achieve optimal results as expected. Upgrade improper could mean that your investment will be wasted.
Here is presented tips to identify the problem and determine the type of upgrade is right for your hardware, including what things should be considered when performing an upgrade action.
Processesor
If the computer is likened to a human body, then the processor is the brain. Most computer processing speed based on the processor installed in it. So, if you are using a computer to run applications "heavy" that require high processing speeds, such as CAD, advanced graphics applications, or program the latest games, then upgrade the processor becomes the primary option.
Upgrade this type requires some consideration, especially regarding the configuration that has been installed previously. For users Pentium Classic / MMX for example, upgrade to Pentium II or higher processor will also require replacement mainboard. Similarly, for the upgrade of the processor series Pentium 3 to Pentium 4, also require a new mainboard suitable, while for mainboard Pentium II, especially for the last generation, is usually also support up to Pentium 3. Double-check your mainboard specifications to determine the support for processor The new to be installed.
Several other peripherals also have to be adapted to the processor installed. VGA card for example. Mainboard that supports Pentium-class processor 4 generally no longer supports AGP VGA card with the type of the old generation. Make sure you are using an AGP 4x or 8x for mainboard Pentium 4 or you will bear the risk of potentially fatal damage.
Casing and power supply also needs special attention. If you are upgrading from an old PC with AT power supply, then inevitably, you must replace the casing at the same power supply is used. Mainboard for processor type Pentium II and above using the ATX power supply types and have different layouts so there may be installed on the old PC casing (486 / Pentium Classic). Processor type Pentum 4 or Athlon / Duron require a power supply with a large enough power (350 watts). To be safe, do not try to install a processor of these types on a power supply with a power less than that.
If funds are limited, you do not need to force yourself to buy the fastest processor, but you still need to think about the ease of performing future upgrades. Do not try to save money by buying a processor that is already outdated because if one day you have to perform the upgrade, then you have to spend more money to pursue compatibility with peripherals available. To work around this, you can buy the latest generation processor, but with a lower speed. The important thing your mainboard supports processors with higher speeds, because sooner or later, one day you anyway need to upgrade again. To that end, do not forget to pay attention to the specifications chipset on your mainboard.
Adding RAM Capacity
Now if you are a user of business applications / general commercial (word processing, spreadsheet / spreadsheets, and so on), then your computer will spend more time to access the data rather than the data processing which requires a fast processor performance. In this case, the upgrade is to add the right amount of RAM installed on your system.
Applications today are generally able to work on 64 MB of RAM, but this is minimal configuration. In addition, the RAM for it also to be divided for the operating system files and DLL files and programs resident. As a result, the system was forced to use hard disk space as virtual memory. The use of Virtual Memory is too large causes system performance to be slow because of the speed of Hard Disk access is much lower than Physical Memory. Virtual memory normal big maximum is one and a half times the capacity of RAM installed on the system.
64 MB RAM capacity is considered adequate for the current size, but even then only for the operating systems Windows 9x / Me. For OS Windows XP / Windows 2000 and above, there was no choice but to put up a minimum of 128 MB of RAM, unless you have a degree of patience that is extremely high. But when there are excess funds consider using a RAM capacity of 256 MB. The bigger the better clear
The type of RAM installed should also be a concern. Today the use of RAM type SDRAM already being abandoned because of limitations when used on a system with a faster processor, such as the class Pentium 4. Instead, the available RAM types RDRAM / DDRAM. Because of the price difference is not too far away with SDRAM, it is advisable to install DDRAM, especially if you have a mainboard that supports the use of this type of RAM.
Graphics card (Graphics Card)
You already have a computer with the fastest processor and RAM capacity is abundant, but system performance still feels like a creep while the display on the screen seem stilted. In this case, you need to look at the specification graphics card (graphics card / VGA card) you are using. Such cases seem to imply that you need to replace the VGA card installed on your system with more reliable types.
In the selection of the hardware configuration that will be installed, component VGA Card is often regarded as peripheral support is not too important. This is a false assumption because the slow VGA system would not be able to match the performance of the system thus causing the bottleneck that ultimately affect the performance of your system.
Currently, the market supply of various brands and types of graphics cards. Among the many options available, we can narrow down based on the specifications we need. First we can look at the interface. Graphics card to a computer with a Pentium II processor and above generally use AGP interface, while the same peripherals to a computer with a Pentium processor generations old, usually using the PCI interface. AGP graphics card has a higher bandwidth than PCI type, thus will be able to compensate for the performance of a fast processor to be able to minimize the bottleneck. We could install a PCI graphics card in a new type of computer, but this is not recommended because this action will reduce the speed of the system in any significant degree.
In addition to the interface, we also must consider the amount of memory installed on the graphics card. The greater the memory that is attached, of course, the better. For the latest generation computer, you should use a minimum of 32 MB of memory. Large memory on the graphics card used to support the use of the resolution and the maximum number of colors. In addition, the processing of graphics routines can also be done more efficiently with an internal memory on the graphics card rather than on system memory.
Lastly, you need to pay attention to the type of GPU (graphics pocessing unit) on the graphics card of your choice. GPU is usually associated as the main chip installed on the graphics card. Component selection is closely related to the functions required of a graphics card (whether it will be used for purposes of design / CAD, multimedia, or games). You can consult the vendor or read a review of media computer to determine a graphics card that fits the needs and budget available.
Most motherboards available today have a VGA card installed onboard (built-in). It also uses a VGA memory taken from system memory (shared memory). It is mainly found in the value class mainboard aimed at consumers who are sensitive to the issue price. You see, VGA card is one component of the peripherals that are quite expensive. Unless you are sure that you do not need the VGA card is fast enough, then you can ignore this issue, but if you take advantage of applications that exploit the use of graphics (gaming or animation design), the onboard VGA is definitely not the ideal choice.
Hard Disk
Hard disk counted as a vital component in a system. In many systems that rely on data intensive processing on a large scale, high-speed hard disk to be the key of a good performance. Current hard disks available in the market is very varied, both about the capacity and price. At least there are three things that need to be considered in giving a hard disk, namely capacity, interface, and speed of rotation.
Problem capacity hard disk will certainly depend on the needs. If a few years ago with a capacity of 1.2 Gigabyte hard disk is 'luxury goods', so now tens of gigabytes of hard disk capacity is already a regular item. To select the most ideal capacity, try thorough list price offered by your vendor. Typically for a hard disk with a certain capacity, offering only the price difference is very thin with a capacity of over it. In this case, you would have to be rational to seek the greatest capacity where the price difference is still quite far above capacity.
About the interface used, an outline of currently available two types of interfaces for the hard disk is ATA / Ultra ATA and SCSI. The most common interface for personal purposes is Ultra ATA. Hard disks that use this interface is divided into ATA 100 and ATA 133. Figures 100 and 133 show the data transfer speed. The ATA 133 to be faster. SCSI hard disk while it is more widely used for servers or systems that require a hard disk very quickly. Because the price is quite expensive, so this interface is rarely used for personal purposes.
Last question rotational speed. What is meant in this case is the rotation speed of data storage disk (platter) on the hard disk. Hard disk rotation speed correlated with the speed of data access. The higher the rotational speed of a hard disk (expressed in RPM, Race Per Minutes / revolutions per minute), then access will be faster. Currently, for the Ultra ATA interface, available speed 5400 and 7200 RPM. There are also vendors that offer up to 9500 RPM rotational speed, although still rare. For personal purposes, the actual RPM 5400 is sufficient, but if the budget available is quite loose, there is no harm in buying that RPM was higher.
Other Peripheral
Some types of peripherals directly affect system performance, while others only serve as complementary facilities without any influence on the speed. Many PC users who are stuck to upgrade by installing a peripheral-peripheral to the specifications that are not so required. This is actually a waste considering the amount of funds spent is not worth the benefit gained. Choose peripherals that fit your needs, do not need to pursue sky-high specification as advertised vendors when you really do not need it.
If you need a modem with a higher speed, it is only natural because it will affect the cost of credit to be issued for online to the Internet, but if you choose a modem from famous brands with a myriad of features that do not really need, it is clearly redundant. Similarly, the sound card. If you are not an audiophile (audio maniac) and only has a pair of small speakers to play MP3 as typing when his friend, is not necessary to spend lots of money to buy a sound card that is "wow". Almost all the mainboard that exists today has been packed with the internal audio chip that is sufficient so that no longer fitted with a sound card.
Another example is the CD-ROM. Although the CD-ROM is now available up to 52x speed, but if your old CD-ROM 24x speed is still working normally and able to handle a good job, why should you upgrade? Use your money wisely!
