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Inexpensive Ways to Speed Up Your Computer: Memory and SSD

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Slow Speed PC

There are practical inexpensive ways to speed up your computer. When computers are averaging $500-$1,200.00 depending on makes and models, it’s sometimes difficult to want to part with the device. Is there anything that can be done to give some more time and use? Truth is, it can be done! In this article we will be discussing the basics of upgrading a computer, be it a desktop, laptop, or maybe an all in one.

Speed Up: Upgrade System Memory

The first area to check to speed up your computer is the system memory. Memory is the multi-task area of the computer. In the human sense, if a person were to be low on memory, one may feel overwhelmed and turn in for the day. Computers are not that much different.

So, let’s say your system is using Windows 10, and it takes a while to load programs together or may take longer to close out and re-open. This could be a low memory issue. Windows today seems to function best with 8gb memory or better. If your system is lower than 8gb, this will put you on the path to speeding things up greatly along with multi-tasking. Check with your system manufacturer specifications first to match the speeds of your memory. An example of memory speed would be seen as DDR4-21300 or DDR4-2666.

If you have a laptop, the memory type is likely to be the SO-DIMM style or respectively a desktop memory style is U-DIMM. Pay attention to the labeling too such as DDR4L or DDR4. This is the difference of lower voltage or higher voltage. Some motherboards can take both. However if it is only rated for the lower, the higher memory may not function or function limited. Strongly suggest buying matching memory to replace what you have already for compatibility reasons.

Speed Up: Upgrade System Hard Drive to Solid State Drive

Next upgrade to speed up a computer is the system storage device. Hands down, I recommend a solid state drive, SSD. These drives often have 300% or greater speed in data transfer over their mechanical brothers. SSD’s do tend to cost a little more, but the power they give out in terms of performance boost is well worth the dollars spent. There are two major forms of SSD’s, M.2 and SATA. M.2 is more of a chip in appearance and the other is classic 2.5″ laptop style drive. Both perform well. M.2 is great for space and small foot print, while the 2.5″ is great for upgrading in a computer that may not have a M.2 slot. Again, check with your system manufacturer specifications to see which may be a good fit for you.

Another rule is to stay with SSD’s that have 3D NAND technology or better. This equates to better performance and longevity. The size of the storage is user preference. If you do not store a lot of data, then a 256gb is good choice. However maybe you need a 2tb for storing more data.

These two upgrades will greatly enhance the performance of any computer. While there are other components to consider such as the CPU and GPU, memory and hard drive/SSD is the most common. If you’re uncertain of how to migrate your data or install memory, Ryan’s CCS does provide these services to our local area of travel, please use our contact page.

What is a Solid State Hard Drive, SSD, Flash?

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What is a Solid State Hard Drive, SSD, Flash?

solid-state-hard-driveSolid state hard drive (SDD) is the newest type of hard drive on the market at this time.  Currently only being produced for laptop systems, these hard drives are based on flash memory and have no moving parts like the standard hard drives we know today.  While they are much faster, cooler, and more energy efficient, the price is much to be desired per gigabyte.  The intentions of this page is not to detail out what all a SSD drive is made of and how it works, but rather to show  the pro’s and con’s.  Maybe latter on (a couple of years) we will re-evaluate and include specifications of the such, when they have become a defacto in the hard drive industry (if it happens).

Solid State Hard Drive Pro’s:

  • Very fast start-ups and data transfer, no spinning components
  • Fast read/write times
  • Heat generation is minimized compared to a mechanical drive
  • Mechanical failure is reduced to electronic failure only, not both
  • Don’t weigh as much as counter part laptop drives

Solid State Hard Drive Con’s:

  • Cost more per gigabyte, then traditional mechanical drives
  • Storage space is behind the mechanical drives
  • Further acceptable to magnetic fields and static electricity
  • Could “wear out” sooner than a conventional drive, if read/writes (data) is written in the same area over and over instead of the entire drive.  This issue is known and is addressed with software and firmware to prevent such things from happening.

As you can see these drives have potential along with their disadvantages too.  The consumer (you) will ultimately decide the fate of this new technology in the years to come as they are tested for durability and longevity.  If you are interested in purchasing a Solid State Hard Drive, may we suggest you check out Tiger Direct first for pricing before you shop around elsewhere.  Remember SSD’s are much more in cost than the conventional drives at this time.

The future of hard drives is ever changing. One trend we are seeing at is that Solid State Drives (SSDs) are slowly replacing electromagnetically, spinning-platter hard drive mechanisms as the standard storage device installed inside new laptop and desktop computers.

SSDs have no moving parts inside and data is stored using non-volatile memory; data loads faster, less power is used than with current hard drives and they have a longer life span.

Although SSDs offer benefits over current hard drives, data is still at risk from problems such as directory corruption, virus attack, accidental file deletion, impact, electrical spike and fire or water damage. Drive Savers Data Recovery  engineers are skilled in recovering data from SSDs and stand ready to recover from these problems and worse