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Choosing the Upgrade Path

Upgrading a computer isn't rocket science. If you're handy with a screwdriver, you can do it. But it does require some careful, methodical work. If you're all thumbs, or the impatient type, you can still forge ahead on the upgrade path, but it's not a bad idea to get a computer-savvy friend to help. Below, we've listed the most popular PC upgrades, along with typical prices, and links to PC World articles that give detailed how-to-do-it information.

One caveat: Don't expect to be able to upgrade your PC's microprocessor. Two to three years ago, processor upgrades from companies such as Kingston and Evergreen Technologies were readily available and popular. But they're usually not an option anymore because today's motherboards are designed for specific processors running at specific speeds. And even if you could upgrade to a faster CPU, you'd find that it wouldn't make a huge difference in overall system speed. The processor is just one of the many components in a PC that must work together for maximum performance.

Memory ($25 to $75)

Upgrading your PC's memory remains one of the most effective--and most economical--ways to bump up your PC's performance. It's also one of the most popular upgrades. Today's operating systems and applications run faster with large amounts of RAM, but if your PC is a year or two old, chances are that it came with just 64MB or 128MB of memory. Equipping such a PC with 256MB of RAM (about $40) will make a noticeable difference in overall speed, especially with today's memory-hungry applications such as office suites and graphics-intensive games. Plus, a PC with more memory is less likely to lock up or behave strangely. And 512MB isn't unreasonable to consider, either, though the performance gained from doubling RAM to 512MB isn't near that of going from 128MB to 256MB.

Depending on the design of your PC, you may be able to add to the memory you have, or you may need to discard what you have and start from scratch. For more information, see "Step-By-Step: Bulk Up Your PC's RAM."

Hard Drive ($70 to $140)

No matter what you do with your PC, you can never have enough hard drive space. That's especially true if you're an MP3 aficionado or you work with movie files. And your older PC probably came equipped with a relatively small 10GB or 20GB drive. After RAM, hard drives are the next most popular PC upgrade. Drives keep getting bigger, and prices keep falling. At press time, a fast 40GB hard drive was going for $85; an 80GB drive for $100; and a huge 120GB drive for $140. Drives that big give you space to expand. You can either replace your existing drive (new drives usually come with software for copying the files from your existing drive) or add the new drive and use it in addition to your existing drive.

Check out "Upgrade Guide: Install a Bigger, Faster Hard Drive."

CD-RW Drive ($50 to $100)

If your PC didn't come with a CD-RW drive that allows you to create your own CDs, adding one is a relatively simple upgrade that adds real utility to your computer. You can share digital camera photos with friends and family, make secure backups of your important data, or create your own music mixes. And that's just the beginning. CD-RW drives have never been less expensive, falling about 50 percent in the last year. Check out "Upgrade Guide" for step-by-step instructions on how to install a CD-RW drive.

Graphics Card ($100 to $150)

If you work with photos from a digital camera or play PC games, a new graphics card can not only make images pop up on your screen faster, but can produce sharper, higher-resolution images that are easier on your eyes. A new graphics card is an easy upgrade that pays off. But note that we're talking about "value" cards. Professional cards ($250 to $400) require cutting-edge systems with fast processors (usually at least 2 GHz) and lots of RAM, a must-have if you're a serious gamer who wants to take advantage of the latest games.

See "Step-By-Step: Upgrade Your PC's Graphics Performance."

Sound System ($100 to $300)

Most off-the-shelf PCs come with mediocre (if that) sound systems, including both the internal sound circuitry and the all-important speakers. If you're into PC music, a new sound card and latest-technology speakers make a difference you can hear. Numerous choices are available, from inexpensive to wallet-emptying, but spending $75 to $100 for a new sound card and $50 to $100 for speakers can give you a sound system that rivals the stereo system in your living room.

Check out "Upgrade Guide: Revamp Your PC's Sound System."

Monitor ($100 to $500)

Not every upgrade requires opening the PC case. Since you spend all your PC time looking at your monitor, investing in a newer, bigger monitor can be better than getting a new PC. Your eyes will thank you for it. If your old PC came with a 14- or 15-inch CRT monitor, stepping up to a 17-inch ($100 to $125) or even a 19-inch tube ($175 to $250) will make all the difference--especially if you roam around unwieldy spreadsheets regularly.

Or, you can opt for one of the hot new flat-screen LCD monitors. They're bright and crystal-clear. Even a 15-inch LCD monitor ($250 to $300) is a vast improvement over a small conventional CRT display (remember, when comparing LCDs to CRTs, LCD size is comparable to a CRT's viewable area diagonal, which is usually about an inch smaller than the tube size). And prices are falling: You can opt for a big 17- or 18-inch LCD for a few hundred dollars more ($400 to $600).

One of the best things about a monitor upgrade is that you can continue to use it when you finally do buy that new PC--just plug it in.

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