When I bought my Core i3 laptop last year, I was
amazed at its speed (at least when compared to my old dual core laptop). It was
a more superior laptop. Unfortunately, like any other PC, initial performance
never last.
It is a common fact that any new Windows PC can
become sluggish and less responsive over time. Since more powerful PCs and
applications come out in the market every year, we are always tempted to
replace our old dwindling PC to satisfy our need for speed and capacity.
But wait! Don’t give in to that buying impulse yet.
Trying to revive your PC to its prime condition might be worth your time and
money after all. Here are some practical tips to revitalize your PC.
Upgrade
your hardware
Summer is here and you might be thinking of trying
out those new games or start a new hobby on digital editing. Usually, new
applications can be demanding in terms of hardware requirements. Simple
hardware upgrades can help improve your system performance at a fraction of the
cost of a new PC. Adding RAM (a.k.a. “memory”) is still the most cost-effective
and easiest way to get a speed boost. However, know that only 64bit versions of
Windows can recognize memories 4Gb and up. Other common hardware upgrades may
include higher capacity disk drives for storage of bigger files, and video
cards for applications demanding higher graphics resolutions.
Run utility
programs
Like your hardware, Windows could also use some TLC.
Tweaking your OS by using either its built-in utility tools or third-party
programs can be tricky but essential in maintaining top performance. Frequent
saving and deleting of files creates substantial fragmentation which eventually
slows down disk access. Using a Defrag utility regularly can easily fix this
problem. Cleaning your registry and configuring your startup with more
efficient settings will also speed up your OS. Furthermore, updating your applications and
drivers will help avoid bugs and improve performance.
Free up
your disk space
Disk drive capacities are growing rapidly, and so
are file sizes. If you fancy downloading and uploading, you might have noticed
that most modern applications and multimedia files consume bigger space in your
disk. Migrating to higher capacity disks might not be practical if one does not
manage space efficiently. Uninstalling old applications that you rarely use, expired
trial software, and games you don’t play anymore will help save space. There
are utility programs that will also help you empty browser cache and get rid of
other unnecessary files. Also, make sure that you don’t keep duplicate copies
of files unless they are backup copies of very important files. Always remember
that a more organized filing system will help both you and Windows work more
efficiently.
Clean your
PC
Cleaning your PC will not only make it look nice
but will also improve its performance particularly its cooling system. Over
time, dust build-up inside the PC literally shortens its lifespan. Keyboards
can also be a nest for dirt and other foreign materials. When cleaning your LCD
monitors, make sure you use the right cleaning materials to avoid scratches.
Doing all of these, you can be assured
that your old PC can still be useful in more ways. Tell us your thoughts about
this by leaving a comment.
