No, it's not your imagination. The computer that you purchased a few years ago really is slower. It's not the computer that's aging, but rather the applications you're running are consuming more memory and processing speed than your old computer can support. However, that doesn't mean you have to rush out and buy a new one. In fact, there are ways to bring your old computer back to speed which give credence to the motto: "If in doubt, do not throw it out". You can save money by salvaging your
old computer by using the following methods.
Hardware Upgrade. The advantage that a desktop PC has over a laptop computer is that a greater amount of upgrades can be made to it. However, with so many components that can be upgraded, the cost of upgrading quickly outpaces the cost of replacement. Let's have a look at some of the items that can be upgraded.
• The desktop PC memory is the easiest and most cost-effective upgrade. In fact, if a PC has more memory, it can process more data without having to use virtual memory. The memory of most desktop systems is usually adequate at the time of purchase, but as computer programs become more complex, they tend to utilise more RAM.
• The second easiest desktop PC upgrade involves the storage drives. The amount of hard drive space doubles approximately every two years, and the stored data continually increases. If your PC is running out of storage space, it is simple to purchase and install a new internal hard drive or an external drive. The purchase of a SSD (Solid State Disk) is another effective choice. In fact, these drives have a higher read/write data transfer rate which significantly improves your applications' booting-up and processing speeds.
• The desktop video card does not usually need to be upgraded unless extra performance or functionality for 3D applications is required.
• It is very intricate and difficult for most users to upgrade the desktop PC processor. For this reason, this upgrade is usually not recommended and may be further hindered by the computer's motherboard specifications.
Overclock what you can't Upgrade. Your processor can be overclocked if you are still dissatisfied with the speed at which your PC processes your applications. There are many applications available online that you can download for this purpose. However, it is important that you install the overclocking application best suited for your processor or your applications will frequently crash.
Keep it in Shape. Free up PC space by removing unnecessary temporary files and cookies in your PC memory that have accumulated on your hard drive while browsing the Internet. Some believe that reinstalling the OS is the only solution to running an efficient PC, but there are many applications that allow you to delete these files and free up essential space on your hard drive.
Use Light Applications. There are many quite heavy applications that cause your PC to run more slowly. There are superior alternatives available for these programs that allow optimised use of your computer memory.
Old is Gold. It is beneficial to select the application that meets your needs and your computer hardware requirements. It is not necessary to always use the most recent version of an application, as it may run slowly or even crash on your PC. It may be preferable to use an older version that meets your hardware specifications.
Use Lightweight OS. If these steps do not succeed in improving your computer's performance, it may be better to install a new, lightweight operating system. Not only will it jump-start your workflow, but it will also provide you with the required features to run most of the applications while maintaining your PC resources at minimum usage.
Repurpose or Recycle. If you have tried these actions and you still feel that you need a new PC, you can use your old one to make a good networked FreeNAS box for file storage and backup. If you don't have enough storage space at home for the old PC, you can scrap it or dispose of it at local recycling centres.
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