Why You Should Consider a Hardware Refresh
A hardware refresh is a great way to increase productivity and employee morale. It can also reduce downtime and save energy costs.
Delaying a hardware upgrade puts you at risk for costly cyberattacks and lost productivity. It’s crucial to understand how often your hardware should be upgraded and how much it will cost.
Processors
The CPU (central processing unit) is the brain of your computer. It handles every action your PC does, and it’s responsible for how fast things work. If your computer is slow, you’re likely suffering from bottlenecks caused by an old processor. A newer, faster processor will eliminate these bottlenecks and give you a much snappier experience.
A newer, faster processor also means your applications will be able to process data much more quickly. This can boost productivity dramatically. In addition, the speed of your RAM directly correlates to the speed at which your applications can access it. A higher-speed RAM will significantly improve performance over an older model.
You can also look at how efficiently your current CPU is using its cores to see if an upgrade is worthwhile. For example, if your CPU is only 22% utilized you’ll want to consider upgrading to a newer processor that has better single-core performance.
However, a newer CPU may not improve your overall performance that much, especially if your other hardware isn’t up to the task. The best thing you can do is to benchmark your current system and find out if it is actually ready for an upgrade.
The best way to avoid wasting money is to work with an IT specialist who understands hardware refreshes and the impact on your business. Our team will be happy to provide you with a detailed assessment of your technology and recommend the right solution for your business needs. We can even help you manage the project to ensure it stays on budget and within your planned window of opportunity. Contact us today to learn more about how PC Hardware Refresh can help you with your IT refresh needs.
RAM
Memory (RAM) acts as a temporary storage device that enables the central processor to work faster. It is non-volatile, which means it retains data even when the computer shuts down. The more RAM a computer has, the less the CPU has to read from external devices such as hard drives, which slows it down.
When a computer has more applications open and running than its current amount of memory can handle, the operating system starts to transfer the active programs to the hard drive for long-term storage. This process is called paging and it takes time, which results in the computer lagging or being unresponsive.
If a business wants to improve its processing speed and overall performance, it should upgrade the computers’ RAM. However, not all businesses need to do this; the majority of PCs have enough RAM. If a business uses programs that require lots of memory like design software, video games, and databases, more RAM will provide better performance.
Computers that have lots of RAM can also access files more quickly, which improves productivity. However, if a computer has too little RAM, the processor will have to wait to perform certain tasks or it may just hang and freeze.
In addition to the efficiencies and improved performance, a refresh will help avoid the cost of upgrading to new technology or paying for the maintenance of old technology that has become stale. Older technology solutions also can be a ticking time bomb for security breaches, so refreshing the hardware regularly will keep the company’s IT systems safe and secure.
Hard Drives
A hard disk is a storage device that stores the binary 1s and 0s of files. These drives are surrounded by an aluminum or glass enclosure and feature a magnetic surface on which the information is stored. These platters are divided into sectors, tracks, and cylinders that make up the hard drive’s capacity. To store data, a read/write head applies a magnetic charge to each of these platters, which then sends the information to an I/O controller. The I/O controller tells the actuator arm to retrieve the data and sends it to a disk read/write head moving at pre-set speeds.
The hard drive is a very delicate component, which is why it’s susceptible to bumps, drops, and other environmental factors. This is why it’s important to upgrade to a solid-state drive when you refresh your computer hardware. Solid-state drives have no moving parts, which allows them to operate more efficiently and increase battery life. They also use less power than standard HDDs, which makes them a more eco-friendly option.
When a computer is operating with a corrupt or damaged hard drive, you’ll typically receive an error message that says “access denied.” This occurs because the system can’t find any data that matches your request. Malware, a corrupted sector, or a faulty program are usually the cause of this problem.
As a business, you need dependable technology to achieve your goals and grow. A PC Hardware Refresh ensures that your employees have the tools they need to work efficiently and without disruption. It also reduces downtime and improves employee morale. By planning and budgeting for a hardware refresh, you can ensure that your technology is always up-to-date.
Graphics Cards
GPUs are essentially graphics processors that remove the image processing tasks from the CPU or RAM, which allows for faster rasterization, higher pixel ration and a broader range of colors. They also enable 3-D images and support for a variety of monitors, with connections such as DVI, HDMI and DisplayPort. Some GPUs are built into the motherboard and known as integrated, while others are standalone cards that plug into PCI-E slots.
The fastest cards can handle tens of thousands of triangles per second (vertices) when rendering 3-D objects, which makes them a good fit for gamers who want to be able to turn up the settings on their games. However, a mid-range card is more than sufficient for most users, especially if they use their computers for other tasks such as writing or social media.
Like all technology, GPUs can fail due to physical damage or wear and tear. The longevity of a GPU depends on how often it is used, how hot it runs and what kind of stress it is put under. Typically, GPUs that operate at temperatures above 80 – 90 degrees will wear out much sooner than those that don't get stressed as much.
If you find yourself noticing screen lag or needing to lower the graphics settings on your favorite game to play it, that's probably a sign that it's time to upgrade. Similarly, if you have to resort to low- or medium-quality textures, it may also be time to refresh your hardware. New technologies are coming fast, so it's important to regularly consider what your needs might be and whether an upgrade is necessary.
Software
Keeping software updated can help your computers run faster and more efficiently. It can also prevent crashes and other problems caused by old or outdated hardware solutions. However, updating software isn’t a simple task. Many computer programs require the installation of new drivers to work properly. The drivers can be downloaded directly from the software’s website or from third-party tools that manage driver updates for your computers and devices. A service like Driver Support can do all of the heavy lifting for you, ensuring your drivers are always up to date and your systems are running smoothly.
While the 3-5 year refresh cycle is a good general guideline, every business has its own needs and technology requirements. In a world that is incredibly dependent on tech, a refresh can help your company keep up with its customers and competitors.
A hardware refresh can improve productivity by reducing downtime and improving employee morale. Additionally, it can reduce security risks. Older computers are more likely to become infected and cause security breaches. A hardware refresh can also save money by avoiding the cost of multiple repairs and upgrades.
The hardware refresh project will require a significant amount of time and resources to complete. It’s important to make sure the process is managed well, with proper planning and execution. The refresh should take place during off hours to reduce disruptions and allow employees to transition smoothly. It’s also important to ensure that all data on the older hardware is backed up and destroyed.
The PC Hardware Refresh is a crucial step in any organization’s IT strategy. By implementing a new and improved solution, your company can continue to grow and provide quality customer service.
We are a little different to most computer shops. We offer all the normal services and can get you brand new equipment if you want it. What makes us different is that we have partnered with WA’s largest computer recycling company which enables us to have access to a huge range of refurbished PC’s and Laptops at very affordable prices.
https://pchardwarerefresh.com.au/
A hardware refresh is a great way to increase productivity and employee morale. It can also reduce downtime and save energy costs. Delaying a hardware upgrade puts you at risk for costly cyberattacks and lost productivity. It’s crucial to understand how often your hardware should be upgraded and how much it will cost. Processors The…