Before the Work: Common Oversights in Computer Upgrades

Upgrading your own computer components can be a fun and rewarding experience, but all too often I’ve heard friends complain that their latest pet project actually became more of a nightmare. While you might have the unpleasant experience now and then of a DOA (dead on arrival) computer component, there’s nothing worse than realizing that you, due to an oversight of some sort, are responsible for an incompatible or faulty component. If you want to try and avoid these types of problems as much as possible, there are a few common oversights people make which cause nothing but a headache. Here, we’ll move through some preliminary considerations by computer component, that way you can move confidently forward with your repair.

Processor Upgrade Considerations

Processor upgrades are one of the most common component replacements, as upgrading a processor is a good way to guarantee general system performance improvements. However, before you pursue a processor upgrade, it is necessary to identify your current processor type. This can be found in your system’s device manager. Your current processor will indicate the socket type of your motherboard. You will need to identify the socket type of your motherboard to determine which processor family you can choose from. It would be a shame to purchase a Intel Core i5 processor only to find you have an Intel 775 socket type.

Hard Drive Upgrade Considerations

Hard drives are among the most straightforward, but it is necessary to verify two details first and foremost. First, the form factor of your drive must be compatible with the intended system. A 3.5 inch drive is most often intended for desktop or server use, while a 2.5 inch drive is intended for laptop use. Ensure the thickness of the drive can be accommodated by the slot or bay. Second, ensure the interface of the drive is compatible with your system. Drive standards have progressed toward SATA connections (SAS compatible) though older SCSI and IDE drives aren’t uncommon in some older servers.

Motherboard Upgrade Considerations

Whether you’re replacing a faulty motherboard or planning a system wide upgrade, your motherboard entails a good deal of consideration before any purchase. If you are replacing a motherboard, you will need to make certain it is compatible with your processor and memory. Examine your current processor to verify the socket type is compatible, and that the RAM slots support your current memory. Always form factor in your upgrades, as the slight variations in size and form can render one type of motherboard useless in some configurations.

Memory Upgrade Considerations

Once again, you will need to verify that your chosen memory is compatible with your motherboard. If your chosen memory doesn’t indicate compatible options, then consult the manufacturer to verify compatibility. Also, consider whether RAM must be installed in pairs: a X7403A memory kit will, for example, consist of two RAM sticks to be installed parallel with one another. There you have it: this should have provided you with some of the most common pitfalls in computer upgrades. Hopefully you can proceed with your upgrades with a minimal amount of confusion. Thanks for checking the page out!

Solid State Drives Vs. Hard Disc Drives

The dawn of computer technology has bred innovation upon innovation - everything has progressed by vast leaps and bounds, and the computer power we have available to us today exponentially exceeds that available even as little as a decade ago. In terms of computer storage, we have seen this hold true. Hard drive storage has allowed for higher capacities in smaller spaces, allowing for internal drives with terabytes of storage or even small keychain drives with several dozen gigabytes of space. As hard drives continue to evolve, we are greeted by newer, faster, and smaller technology. One such innovation which is gaining popularity in the storage world is the solid state drive (SSD). Considering a solid state drive for your next hard drive? Let's look at the difference between a traditional magnetic drive and what many call the future of computer storage, the solid state drive.

The Difference Between Solid State and Mechanical?
Traditional drives are built on technology which has remained fundamentally unchanged for sixty years. A Hard Disc Drive (HDD) uses a metal and magnetically receptive platter to store data. As your computer needs to store data on the platter, the platter spins to a physical location and allows for data to be "written" on the location. Every time you need to retrieve or access that data, the platter must then spin and locate to that physical location. Solid State Drives (SSD) operate without any moving components, instead relying on an embedded controller to perform operations in the reading and writing of data in a highly accessible location.

The SSD Advantage
Because SSD's don't depend on a physical mechanism such as a spinning platter to retrieve data, it can offer much faster data write and read speeds. Whereas the mechanical hard drive must track to a specific location, a SSD can access it instantly. The speed of a hard drive does, however, depend on the quality of its imbedded processor. Despite this, an SSD typically operates at an eighty percent increase over high end hard disc drives.

The Catch?
Though SSD's are superior to the more traditional magnetic alternative in their operation and performance, there is a catch. Solid states currently cost a substantial amount more for equivalent amounts of storage. Whereas you might easily find a terabyte magnetic drive with a spindle speed of 5400 rpm (rotations per minute) for roughly $100, you would pay the same for only one hundred gigabytes of solid state storage. Thus, many people opt instead to use a SSD to store operating systems and applications on while preferring a large capacity secondary drive for file storage. A compromise between the two can be found in hard drives like the Dell GC826 146 gigabyte drive, which offers a 10K drive speed at a very low cost. If you're looking for high capacity, a hard disc drive would be ideal. However, if speed is your primary concern, solid state drives are unbeatable.

Desktop Processors

                In many ways, the processor is the most important component of your computer. It can be likened to the human brain in its capacity to take given input (in this point mathematical and logical operations) and process it, returning with a logical output. When you think about the “work” which your computer is doing, the processor has a direct role in handling those operations. Whereas the storage provides a physical location for data, and the memory provides the processor working space, the processor is really doing all of the thinking. Thus, when people begin to experience slowness from their desktop computer, one of the most common upgrades they pursue is an enhanced processor. A better processor is one of the most direct and effective routes to improved computer performance. But how do you know if your current processor is slowing you down?

Desktop Performance Issues

A desktop processor is able to perform only a certain number of processes per unit of time. This measurement is commonly marked in hertz, the primary clock speeds of today’s processors falling into the gigahertz range. As you engage more applications on your computer, and as your processor begins to execute more processes per second, it will approach the cusp of its working clock speed. As you pass up the maximum limit of the CPU, you will begin to see a bottleneck of data, and your system’s performance will most definitely be affected. Common symptoms of overtaxed processing units includes slow, sluggish performance, freezing systems, and random shutdowns.

What to Look For

As you begin your hunt for a new processor, you will be looking for a processor which can exceed your current processor’s clock speed and handle the increasing demands of your computer’s workload. As a general rule for a desktop processor, you ought to look for a unit which has a clock speed no lower than two gigahertz. Many processors today have clock speeds which come in at two to three gigahertz but are able to be overclocked for additional clock speed should the need arise. Single core processors have also gone by the wayside – depending on the demands of your computing, a dual core processor is a minimum requirement. If you will be engaging in multiprocessing applications, invest in a quad or hexacore processor.

Popular Processors

In the world of computer processors, you will encounter two primary manufacturers: AMD and Intel. You are most likely familiar with Intel, as they control a majority of the processor market. AMD is their main competition. Many people maintain a devotion to one or the other, or (on the other end of the spectrum) insist that there is no difference between the two. The truth is somewhere in between. If you are working on a budget, you can find a comparable AMD processor for a considerably smaller amount than an Intel processor. However, for multithreading and high performance computer applications, Intel’s processors are much more efficiently overclocked and have a wider range of multithreading potential. Just remember that desktop processors are an investment; take time to find the best model for your specific needs.

Small Business Desktops: Buyer's Guide

While we may all know the names of business giants like Amazon, Ebay, and Walmart, these companies take up a small percentage of the market when compared to the true driving force behind most economies: small businesses. Small enterprises may not have the same lime-lit presence of the aforementioned companies, but they exemplify the commitment to excellence in products and service which corporate giants attempt to emulate. If you're a small business owner, or intend to start your own business, you will be entering into an atmosphere of competition which demands the best from you. Building a solid foundation from the ground up is essential, and one area in which small businesses struggle is in affording quality information technologies. Stocking your business with desktop computers, both for yourself and your employees, can sometimes seem like an endless and fruitless search. However, there are efficient business desktops out there, provided you know what to look for.

Function Over Form
A business computer doesn't need to be the fastest, the most powerful, or the shiniest PC on the market. Many small businesses make the mistake of assuming that effective technology implements require high end and expensive computer equipment. While there's nothing wrong with high end computer equipment, it isn't ideal for budget minded businesses. Focus on finding a functional PC, one which can keep up with the necessary functioning of most business applications. It's not going to be used for gaming or watching high-definition video. It will be used for data management, networking, and basic programs.

Networking Potential
If you intend to develop your technology assets into an IT department, you will need to consider how your small business desktop deployments will function, not as stand-alone computers, but as part of a larger network. PCs which allow for easy networking and overarching management will greatly increase the efficiency of any IT applications you endeavor to put in place. Password protection, redundant drives, PCI interfaces, etc. should be a primary consideration.

Expandable Configurations
Small enterprise desktops should be optimized for current use, but should also allow for the installation of additional components or the replacement of current components with upgrades. Keep in mind the amount of available space within your chosen computer configuration. Convertible minitowers will have the most space available for future additions, but take up more physical space. Small form factor computers such as the Dell Optiplex GX960 allow for a considerable amount of internal expansion but retain a very small deployment size. Just remember to allow for your future needs; expandable memory and processor support will ensure performance which lasts longer than a few months. Follow this basic small business computer guide to help you and your small business towards continued success.

Hit the Road: Portable Workforce

As your business continues to expand, you’re going to reach the point where you can’t cover all the bases yourself anymore. Eventually, you will need to trust and depend upon your employees to cover some of the expanding territory. This can be both exciting and nerve-wracking, considering that those people you’ve spent so much time mentoring are now going out as representatives of you and your business. You’ve given them all of the training you can offer, but that doesn’t mean all of the preparations have been made! Part of expanding your business and delegating duties means giving your traveling employees the resources necessary to their success. If your employees are hitting the road, you will need to establish a successful portable workforce, and that entails the right technology for the job. Here are three technologies that will help you launch your campaign to expand.

Remotely Accessible Server

If you host your own server, you should set it up for remote accessibility. Oftentimes a server is accessible only on site, which is a great solution for its security advantages. However, as your employees hit the road they will need to maintain access to the business information you store on the server. Setting up remote access is relatively easy and can be tackled in an hour or so by an IT professional. A remotely accessible server goes a long way towards establishing a central hub of collaboration and communication, especially if you have multiple employees out on the road traveling.

Portable Workstation

Many companies provide portable workstations to employees on road trips. While the desktop at the office is great for most applications, it certainly can’t be packed up and deployed easily by a traveler. A portable workstation serves as a replacement for the desktop computer, and has the necessary configuration to keep pace with desktop performance. Keeping  a small bank of portable workstations is a great idea. The HP Compaq 8510w, for example, is an inexpensive laptop workstation. With an Intel Core 2 Duo 2.2 GHz processor, 2GB of standard RAM, a wide screen, and Bluetooth accessibility, the 8510w is a great choice 

for a portable laptop deployment.

Teleconferencing

Establishing a reliable line of communication between you and your team is essential to ensuring maximum travel efficiency. With a portable workstation and access to internet, you and your employees can have large virtual meetings with no hassle involved. Many businesses use free services like Skype or professional services like GoToMeeting for their teleconferencing. Even if it is something as simple as establishing a telephone conference, scheduling regular meetings will help you and your employees to keep tabs on progress and maintain the sense of a relatively normal work environment. By utilizing teleconferencing and allowing your employees remote access to your server, you use technology to artificially bridge the physical distance placed by travel. Allowing for a powerful portable workstation like the Compaq 8510w, you will increase efficiency and will be well on your way to establishing a great portable workforce.

3 IT Expansions Worth Your Dime

                So you’ve got a little bit of extra funding in your IT budget. Sure, you could eat at a fancy restaurant for the next few weeks, redistribute the funds, or get yourself that dirt bike you’ve had your eye on for the last few months. But since things went a little bit better than you expected on the IT side of things, why not take the money and re-invest it in the department? There is always work to be done and improvements to be made, and investing in your IT department has one of the highest potential returns when it comes to your business’s working efficiency and productivity. But that doesn’t mean that you should just blindly dump your money into some aspect of your IT sector. You want to aim for something which will produce a notable improvement in your company. Here are three ideas for tech expansions which will actually be worth your time and dime.

Computer Deployments

Many small businesses that are just starting to build up their IT resources start out with a number of different computers supplied by different manufacturers. These computers are often different models, separated in capacity by a few years of technological innovation. It’s not uncommon for employees to bring their laptops from home to work on. A good alternative to this is supplying your employees with one standardized computer model stocked with the same programs and configurations. Large scale computer deployments are proven to be affective in streamlining the collaboration process and minimizing the headache for IT coordinators. Networking is made easier and manageability is a breeze; computers with management tools and a networked connection let IT coordinators manage, diagnose, and fix problems without chasing around the entire building.

A Dedicated Server

This dovetails from computer deployments. If you don’t have your own server already, consider this one of the most valuable investments you can make in your IT sector’s success. A dedicated server is great for a variety of reasons. First, the security benefits are unparalleled. You know where your data is and who can access it, cutting out the middleman of third-party hosting. Second, a dedicated server can store data and network individual computers, allowing for increased accessibility, collaboration, and data sharing. Third, a server will eventually return the investment by cutting the cost of third party hosting.

Increased Server Ram

Increasing your server’s RAM (once you have one!) can be the quickest way to jumpstart your IT department’s core system. Increasing RAM will allow for faster hosting services, increasing the amount of digital workspace you and your employees have to work with on the server. Our IBM I-Series server greatly benefitted from the addition of two eight gigabyte memory modules. Oftentimes, these modules are sold as sets. Our EM16-8202 modules allowed for a full 16 gigabyte memory increase, which is a great benefit for servers. So there you have it, three great ways to reinvest that excess budget back into your IT department.