Computer Upgrades Melbourne

Look no further for the most reliable computer upgrades in Melbourne!

Apart from fixing computers, our technicians are skilled in upgrading them as well.

A computer can be upgraded in several different ways. There are different types of upgrades, which computers are upgradable, and what we need to know/do before upgrading a computer.

Types of Computer Upgrades:

CPU

Replace the CPU (processor) with a faster one. How much faster depends on what kind and how old it is. CPUs that come pre-installed usually have their maximum speed listed for reference. This is probably the longest part of the upgrade process because it requires the most patience and knowledge about computers and which ones go together with others. There are different sizes so make sure we get the correct socket type for your motherboard (AM3, LGA 1155, 1156)

For example: Intel Core i5 4670K 3.4 GHz Quad-Core Processor.

There are two things we can do if we want to upgrade your processor: overclocking or installing a new model with greater processing power. If purchased separately, the new CPU must be compatible with your motherboard but if purchased together they are generally compatible out of the box.

a. Socket Type – Different chipsets can be used on different processors, however whatever motherboard we choose to use will need to have a matching chip set. The current sockets in use are LGA 1150, 1155 and 2011 for desktops as well as AM2, AM2+ and AM3 for laptops. In the future LGA 2015 is expected to replace LGA 2011 which has been found to be unstable. Core Architecture – This can usually be seen from the first few letters of the CPU type e.g. i7 or i5 where ‘i’ represents Intel and ‘7’ or ‘5’ stand for seventh generation/fifth generation respectively.

b. Generation– Refers to how many times current CPUs have been updated e.g. Haswell is the fourth generation of Intel processors while Broadwell is the fifth generation.

c. Cores – Refers to how many separate processing units are available on a single chip e.g. i7-4770K has 4 cores whereas i7-5930K has 6 cores (see exceptions below). Clock rate – The speed at which the processor performs operations per second and will be one of the main factors when deciding upon your desired CPU, however it shouldn’t be seen as everything since there are other factors such as number of cores and L3 cache size.

d. Cache Size – How much memory or ‘cache’ it stores for faster access later rather than having to look up data from RAM repeatedly. Caches are measured in Megabytes, the bigger the better. Installing a CPU with a larger cache can often help increase performance. Hyperthreading – A technique where two threads from the same process are assigned to different cores at once, making it appear as though we have twice as many cores.

The bigger the better – it allows for faster data retrieval and thus a huge boost in performance at all levels of computing. Each time a CPU retrieves data from memory, there’s a wait period while it “fetches” that data before allowing code execution to continue. It’s during this fetch process that the CPU is idle, so increasing the cache increases how fast the CPU can accomplish tasks by decreasing its need to retrieve information from memory.

Note

CPUs come in three major families: Celeron/Pentium (low end), i3/i5/i7 (standard), and Xeon E3/E5 (high end). Each family has its own characteristics, the main one being the number of cores; low end CPUs will typically have 2 or 4 cores whereas standard CPUs will usually between 2-8 cores depending on model and high end may go up to 12+ cores.

Nowadays cores aren’t everything; improvements in Hyperthreading technology mean that even processors with two real cores still appear as having four or eight virtual cores due to split processes being assigned to different cores simultaneously – similar to how a multitasking operating system seems to have more than one program open and running at the same time.

These different cores can communicate with each other while executing their own processes, so the CPU doesn’t need to waste precious fetch cycles bringing in information from memory that another core could handle for it. Hyperthreading is like having two people working on separate tasks at the same time which ultimately means we can get things done twice as fast!

RAM

Add more memory to your desktop by replacing the RAM (memory chips). If we open up your desktop we should see where it says “DIMM A etc.. Depending on whether or not it’s DDR2, DDR3, or DDR4 depends on how much memory we can add. Improved memory makes it so that programs run faster by increasing access speeds through RAM. Many people have more than one stick of memory for increased storage capacity and speed. We have an article to find how much RAM, Speed etc here.

For example: 4gb Kingston HyperX 2x 2gb 240-pin DIMM DDR3 SDRAM.

Another useful upgrade is switching from DDR3 RAM (which was released in 2007) to DDR4 RAM (released 2012); this has been proven to increase processing speeds by nearly 40%. This statistic includes both single- and multi-core processors; however, increased speed isn’t limited to increased numbers of cores.

While upgrading RAM will make the computer itself more useful, it’s only really necessary to upgrade if we know that your current memory is insufficient for what we’re doing. For example, gamers should always be running the newest DDR4 possible because games are constantly loading data into memory which slows down your game performanc . If we’re not a gamer or just use your laptop for spreadsheets and email, it probably doesn’t matter so much so long as we have at least 8GB of DDR3 or better. As always though, there are exceptions to this rule – anyone who uses professional CAD/Animation/Compression software would benefit from increased speeds offered by higher memory bandwidths.

The amount of RAM is another essential factor when it comes to determining how functional your machine is going to be. Although we’ve become accustomed to multi-GB amounts of RAM, 2 GB might not cut it for some users that depend on their computer for work purposes. But even with 4 GB, don’t expect any gaming performance unless we plan on playing games such as Minecraft. Another thing we should consider when upgrading your HDD or RAM, or even your CPU, is whether or not we’ll be able to do i . It depends on the type of motherboard we have and what sockets are available for upgrades, so we make sure we research this before buying anything.

GPU

This will make games run faster and look better on your desktop by adding a faster graphics card (GPU). We need to know what type of video connection the monitor uses (DVI vs HDMI) and if there is more than one cable coming from the back of the computer (power supply). If this is your first time upgrading, we might want to stick with getting a GPU that matches your CPU.

Storage

This refers to how much data we can store on your computer. The more storage, the better; though this also depends on where they are stored (SSD vs HDD). There are not as many different types of SSDs as there are HDD cores so make sure we know what speeds and capacity ratings mean.

Similarly, those looking to upgrade their hard drives (HDDs) should do so in order of most read heavy usage, since the HDDs themselves are constantly spinning while computers are on. If we’re mostly gaming or watching movies, then upgrading your HDD to a faster 7200RPM drive would be worth considering. On the other hand, if we just use your computer for word processing and checking emails, it likely won’t matter much either way. If we have too little RAM to even run modern software however, it may congest the amount of programs being opened at once which results in slow down no matter what kind of hard drive we have.

The best way to tell how much HDD space is enough is by analysing what we plan on storing in it. If we’ll be using several GB-heavy programs or games, we will want to invest into at least 1 TB of space. On the other hand, if we mostly use your computer for work purposes and have a broadband connection, investing in a smaller HDD might be a better option since backups are always necessary. But even with a tiny SSD, don’t expect your boot times to go down below 20 seconds as some people claim .

Network interfaces

We can improve network performance by adding more adapters.

Case

This will determine how many components fit into your computer as well as what type of device we can connect to it (i.e., there might not be space for an HDD if no drive bays are available).

Operating System

If your computer’s operating system is outdated, we will be able to update it.

We can also upgrade your PC from an x86 architecture (32-bit) to x64 (64-bit).

Sound Card

A soundcard allows we to play audio from a variety of sources including CD’s as well as streaming from online sources such as Spotify or YouTube. They can significantly enhance the output from speakers or headphones by amplifying the audio signal so that it is crisper with less noise interference. The use of a dedicated sound processor will also remove some processing tasks from the CPU.

Motherboard

The motherboard is where everything connects, it houses most ports and sockets that are plugged into the computer externally with room for expansions in terms of additional features or components inside. If your motherboard supports overclocking, then we will need to make sure that the other components are compatible with this feature so they do not overheat/fail when forced to run faster than their standard speeds.

As long as your motherboard is compatible with your CPU, RAM and PSU , there’s no limit on how much power we can add. The newest CPUs almost always come paired with motherboards that require more power than most PSUs can deliver, so it’s recommended to only buy the PSU we need for your build.

Antivirus

When we get a new computer, it’s always recommended that we install an anti-virus software and firewall at least. Antiviruses have advanced quite a bit in the past few years and malware aren’t as easy to spot anymore, so it’s worth investing into at least a year of protection.

If we do care about security, keep in mind that the free antivirus software will leave holes in defences. We should invest into a paid version of an anti-virus to stay safe and protect yourself against viruses and other dangerous programs.

One very important thing to note is that if we’re planning on upgrading any of these parts yourself, it can be quite dangerous for certain installations. As such, I would recommend bringing your machine into a professional to determine what needs to be done in order to get the most out of your computer’s performance.

Benefits of computer upgrades

You’ve spent a lot of time and money building your computer, and now it’s getting slower by the day. You keep adding more programs but to no avail. Sooner or later you realize that you need to upgrade if you want to avoid constant lags and running out of disk space. Perhaps you would even like an entirely new computer so as to have the latest technology at your disposal, but this isn’t always possible because of budget constraints.

In either case, upgrading is a great idea if your current system doesn’t serve all your needs. Here are a few benefits:

1) More speed for less work – A faster computer means being able to launch applications quickly, switch between them without delay, play games with less lag…the list goes on.

2) Improved data security – If your computer is more powerful, it can better shield you from hackers and virus attacks.

3) Aesthetics – Lighter, thinner PCs are available nowadays that will take up less space in your work area or even let you move around with them quite easily.

4) Upgradeability – This allows you to save money by purchasing a shell that can be upgraded instead of an entirely new computer when the need arises.

5) Customization – When you purchase a PC or laptop without an operating system, you get to install whatever program you like afterward so as to have the precise tools for your job at hand.

6) Multi-tasking possibilities – Eating up less memory than older models, these systems will allow you to multitask at the same time and switch between different programs without any trouble.

So why wait? Give us a call on 0484 357 559 or contact us.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it worth upgrading an old computer?

Yes of course! Upgrading a computer is cost-effective and simpler than getting a new one.

How much does it cost for someone to upgrade your PC?

Well, it depends on what upgrades need to be done and how old your PC is.

Can I buy a PC and upgrade it?

Yes, you can. Most PCs can be upgraded.

Is it cheaper to build a PC or upgrade?

It is definitely cheaper to upgrade a computer than purchase a new one.

How do I make my old computer run like new?

Upgrade to an SSD and increase your RAM