Upgrade Your PC
(Sense to Save Dollars)
by Richard Parker
Technology is changing, applications are more robust, and it's difficult for older PCs to perform at the desired level.
It may be possible to put off buying a new PC for a year or so, if you are able to upgrade. Adding memory to a system is one of the most useful, most cost-effective upgrades that can be performed. Each PC has a required minimum and a maximum amount of memory which can be installed. If the PC is running slowly, more memory may be the answer to maximize performance, especially if the disparity is large between the amount installed and the maximum allowed. Today, memory costs $80 for 256 MB.
The second item to consider is the processor. Some PC processors are proprietary and it may be difficult finding one that will work, but for the most part, folks at UC should be able to upgrade. If your PC currently has a 500 MHz processor, an upgrade to 1.4 GHz is possible for approximately $113 - and your PC will perform between two and three times faster.
You may also upgrade your hard drive - 40 GB for $60.00 - which may speed things up a little.
In difficult financial times, when you need more performance from your PC and you don't have, or want to allocate, the funds to purchase a new one, you may be able to upgrade and put off buying a new one. If you would like to know your system's processor speed, amount of memory, or size of your hard drive, please call the UCit Help Desk at 556-HELP.
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