In the days of old people would keep computers as long as 5 years or longer. However these days a new computer barely gets past 3 years before needing replacement – or so it seems.
You can easily get 5 years out of a computer if you buy it correctly the first time.
In fact, you most likely already own a computer that you can get a few more years out of.
[hidepost=1]
Buying a PC
The only place I would ever recommend to buy a PC is the Dell Outlet Store at outlet.dell.com. The reason is because the computer boxes there are cheaper than new, all come with warranties (that CAN BE UPGRADED) and have the perks you need to have a long-lasting PC.
To note: Sometimes it is cheaper to buy new, but rarely. If you check out Dell Outlet, also be sure to price compare with new offerings. In addition, search the internet for “dell coupon codes”. You might be able to knock off as much as 40% or more of the price of a new Dell that way.
When buying a PC, note the key items I mentioned in the last part of this series and try to match up as best you can. Remember to stay mid-range to upper mid-range. I’ll explain why in a moment.
Building a PC
When building a box, the most important part of the build is the motherboard itself. You will want to choose a motherboard that has the widest range of CPU support possible (i.e. how many different types of processors can it support), the most RAM slots, the most card slots and so on.
To date, the largest motherboard form factor – that being ATX – is still the best choice. The larger the board, the more slots you have, the more room you have to work, etc.
The ability to upgrade the processor is paramount
Of all the things that you want in a computer box that can be upgraded later, the processor is the most important part (with the second being video – mentioned in a moment).
Small example:
Years ago I bought a Dell Dimension 4400. It was originally stocked with an Intel motherboard and a 1.6GHz processor. About two years later I looked up the service tag to see what model of motherboard it had to see what I could upgrade it to. It turned out that the fastest processor that particular motherboard would support is a 2.4GHz Intel. So that’s exactly what I bought.
The install was super-easy and took less than a half-hour to do. And being that the motherboard was designed for it, there was never and issue with its operation.
A few years back I gave this computer to my father. And as of this writing in late 2008, it still runs like a champ and is still used regularly.
But, if it were still at the original 1.6GHz it would be so woefully slow with XP service pack 3 I would have been forced to replace it.
The ability to upgrade the video card is also paramount
Each successive release of the Windows OS is getting more and more video hungry. Even if you have a relatively fast processor, a decent amount of RAM and a relatively speedy hard drive, without fast video it’s all for nothing.
Whereas video wasn’t necessary a concern a few years ago, in these times it’s something you should pay keen attention to.
Up next, how to configure a computer box for the long haul.
[/hidepost]
Like what you read?
If so, please join over 28,000 people who receive our exclusive weekly newsletter and computer tips, and get FREE COPIES of 5 eBooks we created, as our gift to you for subscribing. Just enter your name and email below:
