Upgrading Hardware

In a small business, one PC may have to fulfil many roles, here we look at the pros and cons of PC upgrades.

It is a frustrating fact, especially for small business, that computer hardware becomes obsolete so quickly. Always consider any upgrade carefully.

The biggest difference you can make to a users productivity, in terms of hardware, is to increase the speed of that hardware.

The main methods of doing this are:-

• Add more RAM (memory) to the PC
• Replace the CPU (processor)
  
• Replace the unit as part of a "rolling upgrade" (see below).
  
  

Adding more RAM (memory) is usually a simple, effective, and reasonably cheap approach that can seriously boost the speed of a PC, because it needs to use its (relatively slow) hard disk less. Applications which are memory hungry, such as CAD and image handling applications, can therefore run much faster.

Replacing the CPU is a slightly more difficult task. It requires careful research to select the correct upgrade for any given PC, and it is usually a little more difficult for the non-technical to fit. In addition, it is often an expensive upgrade. We normally only carry out this sort of upgrade when the PC is being used for very specific tasks, where it would be more difficult to migrate the whole system to a newer PC.

Remember though, it is often better to relocate a PC to a less demanding role than to spend time and money upgrading it. That said, a simple RAM and processor upgrade could extend the life of a PC by as much as a year. If you are running windows 95 or 98, then the chances are that your system could benefit from some good housekeeping. Aside from adding faster CPU chips, or increasing RAM, you can sometimes gain a performance boost by:

• Removing applications you no longer need or use,
• Deleting temporary files,
• Defragmenting your hard disk regularly.

Redeployment (Rolling Upgrades) - Rather than upgrading a particular PC, pass it along. It is very often better to redeploy yesterdays high-spec hardware to today's average tasks rather than to try to upgrade those machines to a current spec. We can survey your current installation and advise you on this, but should you wish to undertake the task yourself, the basic steps are:-

1. Assess your needs- Firm up exactly what your requirements are, then specify to those requirements. Normally, it makes most sense to go for the best specification you can afford at the outset, as adding parts later is invariably more expensive and troublesome.
2. Review your existing machines and decide where they have a use within your company. In small companies, one machine will typically have several uses.
3. Specify and purchase the new units. Go for a reputable brand name manufacturer, and stick with proven technology. Let someone else be the guinea pig, small businesses can't afford to be.
4. Install the new PC's and verify they are working as intended. It may take some time for them to "settle down" and for employees to get to grips with new developments.
5. Redeploy the older units as necessary. Consider having a technician format the hard disk and reinstall the Operating System (usually Windows) together with any required applications. This normally results in a significant performance improvement. Be sure to back up any data first.
6. Phase out the junk hardware. It need not go to landfill, because if you have other similar machines still in use, then you could hold the retired units for parts. Failing that, your local school / youth group etc. might appreciate a machine you no longer have a use for.

Finally, to lower the impact of depreciation, buy machines only as, and when, you need them. For small companies, buy one unit in on a regular cycle and pass the existing PC's along.

We hope you find this information useful. Feel free to contact us if you would like to arrange a survey of your existing IT infrastructure. We can then prepare an unbiased report for you, with which you can approach the vendor of your choice. If required, we can manage purchase, installation etc. for you.

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