Chapter 19
Upgrading and Expanding
Your PC
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
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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
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Can I upgrade the processor
in my PC?
Microprocessor
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Will adding RAM improve my PC’s
performance?
• Adding RAM can increase processing efficiency by
providing fast-access space for programs and data
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–
–
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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)
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What if I run out of disk space?
• If you run out of disk space, remove files
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–
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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
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What if I run out of disk space?
Using Disk Cleanup
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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
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How do I add and upgrade external
devices?
USB Hub
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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
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Hardware: Your PC’s
expansion bus
Expansion bus
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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
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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 100 5-year old
computers?
– Do you believe that computer companies should
take more responsibility for recycling the products
they make?
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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
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