Should I Buy a New Computer or Upgrade My Old One? - Part 3

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How Can I Upgrade?

This question involves more detail about the individual's specific upgrade
path. It is typically something like:

* Can I upgrade my CPU?
* The curse of Packard Bell.
* What kind of memory do I need?
* What about more data storage/backup for my files?
* Other upgrades.

CPU/Motherboard:

Upgrading the CPU is the single biggest change you can make in your
computer's performance. Unfortunately this is also one of the most
difficult upgrades to perform. Many system boards cannot accept the chip
that would logically be used to upgrade them. If you have a 486 or older
system, you will definitely need to upgrade the motherboard to install a
Pentium class chip. Avoid any "overdrive" chips that purport to be usable
with a 486 system. They are costly, and perform poorly as upgrades.
Even if you have a slower Pentium, chances are the current system board
will either not support the speed of, or fully exploit the power of your
new CPU. It may even be incompatible. Older boards don't recognize MMX
chips, the Pentium Pro, or the newer Pentium II for example. For this
reason, a motherboard upgrade is almost always performed at the same time
as a CPU upgrade.

An additional consideration is memory. Older 486 and 386 motherboards use
30 pin SIMMs or SIPPs. Some may even use proprietary memory upgrade boards
no longer available. Even if your old motherboard uses the newer 72 pin
SIMMs, the speed of the existing memory may be too slow. While Pentium
systems can work with 70ns memory, they are happier with 60ns or faster.


The Curse of Packard Bell:

Packard Bell and many other computer manufacturers cut costs by designing
proprietary one-board solutions that incorporate the video card onto the
system board. These computers are not upgradable by simply replacing the
system board. For one thing it is the wrong size and shape! Once
unsuspecting consumers are faced with the need for an upgrade they find
their options expensive and limited to those provided by the original
manufacturer (if any).

Fortunately there is a way out of Packard Hell! Besides a new motherboard
and CPU, you will have to purchase a new case and graphics card. The good
news is that even an inexpensive graphics card will probably still be an
upgrade to the el-cheapo built-in video of the system! You can reuse the
existing hard disks, memory, sound card, keyboard, mouse, monitor and
modem, and probably the CD-ROM. At that point the rest of the computer is
junk, but of course it always was!

Computers from Packard Bell, IBM, Aptiva, Gateway 2000, Compaq, NEC, AST,
and some other manufacturers are often of this proprietary type. All
"slim-line" desktop systems also contain proprietary motherboards due to
the need to incorporate a short riser card for the expansion slots. This
is because the case isn't thick enough to accommodate vertically placed
expansion cards.

In any case (no pun intended), getting away from these proprietary designs
and into an industry standard form factor is a good thing to do. It will
enable you to economically upgrade your system for years to come!


Memory:

Memory is one of the easiest and most cost-effective upgrades you can
make! Installation is a snap: just power down, open up your case, pop 'em
in, and you are in business!

If you are running with 8 or 16 Mb of RAM, you should consider upgrading
to 32 Mb. Windows 95 really appreciates the extra headroom. Determining
what kind to buy is easy. Just determine what type and technology you need
for your system by checking the system or motherboard manual, and see if
you have any available SIMM or DIMM slots. If you're using 72 pin SIMMs
remember you'll need to buy them in pairs for a Pentium. If you are out of
slots, you may have to replace smaller chips with larger ones.

Some new system boards have the new 128 pin DIMM. This packaging
eliminates the need to pair up 72 pin SIMMs when used with Pentium chips.
Many motherboards will allow the use of both types, but some newer boards
only accept the 128 pin DIMM. If you are buying a new motherboard, be sure
to plan accordingly.

Note that on some systems, the DIMM shares a "bank" with a pair of SIMMs,
and you cannot use both at once. Your system or motherboard manual should
lay out the options.

If you will be buying all new memory with a new motherboard, consider
buying a board that supports 128 pin DIMMs and the new SRAM technology.
While SRAM is currently slightly more expensive than DRAM or EDO
technology, the enhanced performance will really pay off with the fast new
Pentium class chips we are using today. Note that some systems won't allow
you to mix technology, it's either DRAM, EDO or SRAM.


Disk SubSystem:

You can add as many as two hard disks to most basic system configurations
that feature dual IDE controllers. The original drive and the CD-ROM take
up two connections, leaving two for additional drives. If your current
controller only supports two drives, you can add a secondary IDE
controller in an expansion slot.
If you need more storage, consider installing a SCSI adapter that will
allow you to chain up to 7 or 14 devices. SCSI allows faster disk access
and less CPU resources than IDE for a performance boost. You'll find more
types of devices can be used with SCSI, like Scanners and faster Tape
Drives in addition to Hard Drives, Removable Drives, CD-ROMs, DVD,
Optical, etc.


Other Upgrades:

Other components are more easily upgraded. A new graphics card, monitor or
modem, a faster CD-ROM, or a cool new keyboard will certainly work well
with what you have already, and provide enhanced performance and
functionality!


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Prepared by Peter Conrad Cumminsky, consultant, ASEE, CET, Team OS/2
(707) 987-9484
Visit my Computer Taming web site at
URL:http://www.angelfire.com/biz/taming/


(C) Copyright 1993-1997 [email protected].