At what point should one stop putting money into an aging system and replace it with a new system?  This is not an easy question as it depends on individual needs.  Not everyone uses a computer system in the same manner and needed or desired upgrades vary significantly.

If a computer has not been upgraded in a long time, replacement of a number of significant parts including hard drive, video card, new CPU (plus adapters, BIOS etc.), and RAM at one time can approach the cost of a new computer.  In this situation it is usually considered wise to purchase a new computer.  Placing numerous expensive components into a case with an aging power supply and cooling system is considered risky at best.

The best approach to upgrading is to replace the weakest or most outdated component on an occasional basis to keep the system functioning at its peak performance.  This approach can greatly extend the useful life of a computer system.

However, when replacement with a new system becomes the best option, it may not necessarily be time to discard the old system:

• donate it to those that need computers (college students, schools, charities, civic organizations, etc.)
• provide it for your children’s use and “abuse” without the fear of losing important data
• recycle it (plastic, metal, etc., is salvaged)
• network it with the new computer
• experiment with it (try out all those risky upgrades you would never attempt on your sole computer).

Before return to our Clients, all upgraded computer systems are put through the same vigorous diagnostic testing as our new systems.