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.
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Configuring a computer box for the long haul
Whether you’re buying or building, the way to configure your PC is important. There are certain things you should and moreover shouldn’t do.
Do: Stuff as much RAM in it as possible.
This may not have been good advice 5 years ago but RAM is so cheap these days there’s no reason not to.
DON’T: Use “gamer” RAM.
If it’s got heat spreaders or some other hot-rod way of making the RAM faster, don’t go this route because it will decrease the life of the PC overall. Heat is your enemy. Your best bet is to just use what www.crucial.com recommends. It will run cooler and last longer.
DON’T: Buy the largest hard drive you can
It will be too expensive and not last as long.
Do: Buy two hard drives of lesser size to equal the bigger one.
Still to this day, buying two drives to equal the size of a larger works better cost-wise and reliability-wise.
DON’T: Buy the fastest video card available
It will be most likely labeled as a “gamer” video card and this is bad. You’re better off going with upper mid-range.
Tip: Buy a video card that has been on the market for at least three months. Just-introduced-to-market cards is an unsafe bet and may have driver issues. By the three-month point, all those kinks have been worked out.
Do: Use an “all-in-one” card reader.
This is an accessory that goes in a drive bay that can read SD, MicroSD, xD and so on. They are popular in digital cameras. Card readers are dirt cheap and it’s almost a certainty you’ll find a use for it from time to time.
Do: Have as many USB ports as possible.
With most computers there are ports in the back and front. Ideally you want four on each side for a total of 8, else you have to buy a USB hub which adds clutter.
Tip: The keyboard, mouse, and printer (if wired) should all go in the back. Everything else can be in the front. Trust me, you will love having 4 USB ports in the front. Very handy and convenient. And make sure they are in the FRONT. Not the top. Not the side. FRONT.
DON’T: Have a case that requires a door to be opened just to access stuff.
Some computer cases have doors in the front that cover the CD/DVD drive as well as everything else in the front. This may look “cool” but you’ll find it to be irritating very quickly – especially if you use the CD/DVD often. Try to avoid cases with doors on them.
DON’T: Have anything that lights up inside the case.
Example: LED lighted cooler fans. The LEDs will dim out and eventually stop working. And while it’s true there is only the minimalist power draw by having those lights active, it is a power draw nonetheless. Furthermore there is absolutely no reason to have anything lit up in a case. None. Keep it simple and don’t light it. It’s a complete waste of money to do otherwise.
Do: Use a standard-sized ATX motherboard.
This was mentioned in the previous segment but I can’t express enough how important this is. Going with a smaller form factor such as MicroATX, Mini-ITX or Nano-ITX may seem like a good idea on the onset, but will prove to be aggravating later.
With ATX you have the following advantages:
1. More slots (for everything).
2. More room to work.
3. Larger labeled items.
4. Better heat spreading (i.e. runs cooler).
5. Fits better in most cases.
There are more, but you get the idea. Yes, the computer market loves to tout “Go small!”, but the fact of the matter is that going large is better for the long haul.
Final notes on the PC itself:
You will get the most options when you build a computer box from scratch – particularly concerning the motherboard because you’ll get that full-sized ATX form factor.
When buying OEM such as Dell, chances are you’ll get stuck with a MicroATX. However this is okay as long as it’s upgradeable later. Before purchasing an OEM (even if not Dell), study the system specifications carefully and look up the motherboard included in the box independently on the internet. Find out what processors it supports. Find out how many slots there are. Find out everything. It will serve to your advantage in many ways.
Up next, software maintenance.
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