1. Chapter 19 Upgrading and Expanding Your PC

2. Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 19
Getting Started
In this Chapter, you will learn:
If you can upgrade the processor in your PC
If adding RAM will improve your PC’s performance
What to do if you run out of disk space
How to add and upgrade external devices
About Hardware: Your PC’s expansion bus
Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 19

3. Can I upgrade the processor in my PC?
Expanding your PC usually means adding components
Upgrading typically means replacing a component
You typically can upgrade your microprocessor
Make sure it fits into the CPU socket
Make sure it is cost effective
Spending $75 to $300 won’t dramatically boost speed
State-of-the-art processors are expensive, about $1000
Replacing the microprocessor rarely produces the performance equivalent to a new computer because it is only one factor
Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 19

4. Can I upgrade the processor in my PC?
Microprocessor
Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 19

5. Will adding RAM improve my PC’s performance?
Adding RAM can increase processing efficiency by providing fast-access space for programs and data
Today’s PCs typically have at least 1 GB of RAM
1 GB of memory costs less that $100 U.S.
Find out the current RAM capacity and specifications
Work with a reputable store
Factors
Speed: memory access time
Capacity: amount of data that can be held
Package: type of memory module
Type: most likely a type of DRAM (dynamic RAM)
Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 19

6. What if I run out of disk space?
If you run out of disk space, remove files
Clean out unused and unneeded files
Empty the recycle bin
Delete temporary internet files
Move large graphic, music, or video files to a CD or DVD
Uninstall unused software programs
Consider adding a hard disk drive
External drives are affordable and easy to use
With a desktop computer, you can add an internal drive
Check for a drive bay, which is a shelf to attach drive
Make sure computer is off and unplugged for safety
Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 19

7. What if I run out of disk space?
Using Disk Cleanup
Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 19

8. How do I add and upgrade external devices?
Input, output, and storage devices connected to a computer are sometimes referred to as peripheral devices
Most connect to USB port
Your computer automatically recognizes the new device
Add a USB hub to turn one port into multiple hubs
Bus-powered hub draws power from the computer
Self-powered hub has an external power supply
Wireless USB operates by transmitting data between wireless transceivers
Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 19

9. How do I add and upgrade external devices?
USB Hub
Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 19

10. Hardware: Your PC’s expansion bus
Expansion bus is an electronic pathway that moves information between your microprocessor and RAM and stretches to various ports and slots
Produces a port when it leads to a connection point that can be accessed outside the system unit
Expansion slot provides a connection point for internal devices such as memory and graphics cards
Made to accept expansion cards containing circuitry for a device, such as a modem, network card, or graphics card
Most common use of expansion slots is to upgrade the graphics card
Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 19

11. Hardware: Your PC’s expansion bus
Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 19

12. Hardware: Your PC’s expansion bus
Desktop PC system boards include several types of expansion slots
AGP (accelerated graphics port): primarily used for graphics cards
PCI (peripheral component interconnect): offers fast transfer speeds for a variety of cards
PCI Express (PCI-E): designed to replace PCI and AGP cards, especially for devices that require lightning-fast data transfers
ISA (industry standard architecture) slots: older technology no longer included on most system boards
Know which slots are available on your computer
Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 19

13. Upgrade, reuse, recycle, or landfill?
What do you think?
If you did not have a computer, would you accept any free computer as long as it ran some basic software?
Do you think that your current school or business would accept a donation of year old computers?
Do you believe that computer companies should take more responsibility for recycling the products they make?
Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 19

14. Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 19
Chapter Summary
You should now:
Know if you can upgrade the processor in your PC
Know if adding RAM will improve your PC’s performance
Know what to do if you run out of disk space
Know how to add and upgrade external devices
Understand your PC’s expansion bus
Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 19