10 Signs You Need a Computer Upgrade

1. You have only built in graphics card
2. You have open RAM module slots
3. Your computer is slow
4. Your computer hangs
5. It crashes when you try newer applications
6. Your antivirus scan takes a day to finish
7. You need more storage
8. You can't get Aero to work
9. Hardware failures
10. You're always frustrated

Below explains what are given above.

The first two options I think are the most obvious and gives you the best gain.

1st Sign You Need a Computer Upgrade - You have only built in graphics card

Graphics card. If you can open your CPU, open it, then check your PCI slots for a graphics card. It should be (if not) the biggest, the first thing you'll notice, because it has a fan on. Not the CPU fan. If it is just a series of open slots, then you have a built in graphics card. In these slots you will put your new graphics card as well.

Another way to know is to check your computer manual or go online and search the name of your video driver to check if it is an onboard gfx card.

Read here for a list of average graphics requirements for different kind of people.

2nd Sign You Need a Computer Upgrade - You have open RAM module slots

The Random Access Memory, memory in short, pretty much states it how fast your computer will run. To check, if you can, open your PC, and look for smaller slots, which is the RAM slot, where you will place your newer memory modules.

An easier way to check is to consult your system information while logged on your computer. (This might vary per Operating System) A memory below 128MB is very outdated.

Click here for a list of memory requirements for the all kinds of computer person and accomplishing different digital tasks.

3rd Sign You Need a Computer Upgrade - Your computer is slow

This is perhaps a basic diagnostic, and the first thing you will consider. (I put it in three so as to not sound very irrelevant on my list, and because it's kind of common sense)

Here is another list that evaluates CPU speed requirement depending on the user.

4th Sign You Need a Computer Upgrade - Your computer hangs

Second most basic annoyance, is when your computer often hangs and/or shows the message "fatal error." In times this will be a blue screen with details about the error, most of which we wont really understand (since they are error debugging codes) but basically tells us to call the computer dealer.

5th Sign You Need a Computer Upgrade - It crashes when you try newer applications

Everyday newer applications are released, with better functionalities to offer. Now and again you will need most of these applications in your work or everyday use.

If your computer crashes when you try such apps then it becomes a sign you need to upgrade on your computer.

6th Sign You Need a Computer Upgrade - Your antivirus scan takes a day to finish

This can be one of three things. First, you have poor clockspeed (CPU speed in GHz). Second, you don't have much memory. In this case the antivirus software eats up your entire computer's memory: it will make running any other program extremely slow.

Third, you have lots of disk space (and it's not as good as it sounds) Remember that having so much storage compared to the rest of your computer's specs isn't always good and will slow your computer from time to time. Like when running a scan.

7th Sign You Need a Computer Upgrade - You need more storage

Or the otherwise: When it seems that you have used up all your disk space and you need more for your music files, videos, games, etc. You need to upgrade on your hard drive.

Here is a list of hard drive recommendations I make for each type of person who uses a computer.

8th Sign You Need a Computer Upgrade - You can't get Aero to work

Aero is a Windows 7 feature that gives the eye-candy transparency and many other cool effects. It doesn't mean that you're going to use Windows 7 though. But for new day applications, you can make this a point of evaluation.

9th Sign You Need a Computer Upgrade - Hardware failures

Worse than discussed in number 3, 4, and 5: Hardware failures mean that some devices inside your computer may be physically damage, which may affect of destroy other devices that are still functioning well.

Please refer here if you need information on troubleshooting hardware problems, instead.

10th Sign You Need a Computer Upgrade - You're always frustrated

Bottom line, it always comes to this. You're always frustrated. You love your computer and want to remain economical with it, but inside you know it really needs attention.