All PC hardware is not equal
Aysë Stenabaugh
Jesters Computers
(8/2021) If you have ever gone shopping for a new computer only to find yourself overwhelmed, you are certainly not alone. Purchasing a computer-based on price alone is typically not a good idea. A computer is meant to make things easier, not more frustrating. Often inexpensive or discounted computers lack in performance or include outdated hardware. While you might not need the fastest computer or the latest technology it’s better to invest in a machine that will last into the future. With the announcement of Windows 11 and the stricter CPU requirements, we are finding that even many of the new computers being sold in stores now, won’t be able to run the new operating system.
CPUs or the Central Processing Units are the brainpower behind a computer. Choosing a computer system with enough power to perform the tasks you wish to complete is very important since on most laptops the CPU is soldered to the motherboard and on desktops, you won’t be likely to want to upgrade that component due to expense and possible hardware configuration conflicts. Processors are rated in GHz or Gigahertz often ranging between 1 GHz and 4Ghz the higher the number the faster the processing speed. Today CPUs are made with multiple cores which divide up processing power. As mentioned in last month's article Windows 11 will require Quad Core processors which means users with devices with unsupported processors will not be able to upgrade from Windows 10 when the free upgrade becomes available.
Hard Drives are where data including your Operating System, Programs, and personal files are stored. One would expect that manufacturers would be using the faster hard drive speeds available especially since consumer part prices are often better for newer technology but often, they are not. We have been finding even brand name computers like HP are selling new computers with old technology hard drives that can contain moving parts that can experience mechanical failure. Most often on the PCs bought in a store, the label will only display the storage capacity; new computers typically come pre-installed with drives able to store between 128 GB or Gigabytes to 1TB or Terabyte of data. More storage space does not equate to more speed.
RAM there are two different physical sizes of RAM or memory which won’t matter much when purchasing a new computer. One or more memory modules may be installed to reach the total amount of memory installed. Most chips will contain between 1GB and 16GB of memory. There are different generations of memory that also determine the range of speeds that they support. DDR3 memory is still very common with the newest RAM technology being DDR4 memory.
Graphics can either be integrated (built into the CPU) or if better quality graphics are desired, through an installed supported GPU (graphics card). While a GPU can be added later for desktop machines, there are several things you will want to consider in advance including power, motherboard support and physical space for a card must be considered in advance. If you intended on gaming or doing any photo/video rendering or editing you will want to consider any minimum graphics requirements along with how much you wish to invest.
Motherboards are where the components listed above as well as the Power Supply are connected. Motherboards can come in different physical sizes and can support varying features. For example. while all laptops support Wi-Fi, not all desktops do. Some devices have only a few USBs and may not support newer faster technology such as USB 3.2. Windows 11 will also require something called Trusted Platform Module which may not be supported on older motherboards.
The overview above just scratches the surface on understanding some of the differences that one can find among seemingly similar hardware. It’s important to note that older hardware regardless of compatibility with Windows 11 will have less support and thus will potentially experience unresolved hardware and software issues. If you rely heavily on your computer having newer hardware can provide an overall better experience.
If you have been the victim of a scam, Jesters Computers can help; whether you require a cleanup of your device, advice or one-on-one support. Contact Jester’s Computers located in Fairfield by calling 717-642-6611, emailing customerservice@jesterscomputers.com or by visiting us on the web at www.jesterscomputers.com
