| Eventually even the best computer you can buy | | | | I typically recommend most normal users to upgrade |
| becomes obsolete. Its amazing how quickly new | | | | at least once before they consider a new computer |
| breakthroughs in personal computer technology | | | | system. A little more memory, a second or third |
| happen, and how the leading edge is always moving. | | | | generation video card, and you can buy a few more |
| And with these new technologies, it seems you can do | | | | years of usable life, without the upheaval of moving to |
| more, faster and cheaper than ever before. So, the | | | | a brand new computer. |
| question is should you upgrade your current computer | | | | The problem is, eventually it wont make sense to |
| or would you be better off replacing it? | | | | upgrade. After all, you cant keep throwing money at a |
| If youre in the market for a new computer, you can | | | | losing cause. Most computers even 3 years old, cant |
| spend anywhere from $7,000 for a hot gaming PC, | | | | use the best processors/video cards of today. But, if |
| down to $300 on a stripped down basic computer, the | | | | you make some good upgrade choices, a computer |
| choice is yours. Although the optimal price for a | | | | could last you anywhere from five to ten years. |
| computer usually is around $1,000-$1,500. Thats a good | | | | If however, you tend more towards the power user |
| computer, but not so good that youre paying top dollar | | | | side of the equation, youre probably going to want a |
| for cutting edge technology. | | | | completely new system every three years or so. That |
| Most of the upgrades you will probably want to look at | | | | seems to be right around when computer power |
| like an improved computer processor, some more | | | | doubles. For example a $1,000 computer three years |
| memory, or a new graphics card can cost between | | | | ago, compared to a $1,000 computer today which has |
| $25 and $350. | | | | double the power. |
| New hardware comes out so quickly that what was | | | | Because of the advent of portable hard drives, hard |
| cutting edge six months ago has had two successors | | | | drives that plug into your USB port, its become much |
| since then. But, by keeping an eye on the hardware | | | | easier to move your files from one computer to |
| that you can purchase thats six months to a year old, | | | | another. Alternatively you can back up data on CDs or |
| you can save a ton of money with your upgrades | | | | DVDs. |
| without giving up too much power. Video cards in | | | | You should get prices for your planned upgrades, and |
| particular demand premium prices when they first | | | | compare that to the costs of a new computer that |
| come out, and then prices plummet once a new, | | | | provides significantly more power. Of course it's a |
| improved model comes out. | | | | judgment call on where you draw the line, but typically I |
| A CPU, or computer processor is another hardware | | | | wouldn't spend more than 50% of the cost of a brand |
| upgrade that can be very expensive when first | | | | new more powerful system on upgrades. |
| released, and then drop to a third of the price in less | | | | Overall, the decision whether to upgrade or replace |
| than a year. They can go from $1,000 to under $200 in | | | | comes down to cost effectiveness if you can put in a |
| that time span. Yet, you can still get about 80% of the | | | | small upgrade for under a few hundred bucks and it |
| computing power for 1/3 of the price of the top of the | | | | makes your computer last just a few short years |
| line models. | | | | longer, that is probably the right decision. But, over time |
| In almost all upgrades, I recommend buying more | | | | it just doesnt make as much sense when even the |
| computer memory. For just a $100-200 you can | | | | mid to low priced systems are more effective than |
| usually significantly increase the memory in your | | | | your current computer could ever be with all the |
| computer and this typically is the most cost-effective | | | | upgrades. Good Luck with your decision. |
| upgrade you can make. | | | | |