We live in a world where more people than ever are working on computers, and because so many today are working from home, lots of them are using their own PCs. There are some benefits to not having your company provide your equipment, namely the ability to change things to make your PC faster and better. This can enhance your productivity and reduce work-related stress. Here are the upgrades that can make the biggest difference.
1. Changing Your Graphics Card
Unless you specifically bought a gaming PC, chances are the graphics card yours came with probably from the lower end of the market. However, it can easily be swapped for an aftermarket card like the RTX 5070, which can make a huge difference if you often use your computer for visually intense tasks like graphic design, video editing, and other creative work. It is also one of the first upgrades many gamers choose to make.
2. Add More RAM
If you need many windows or tabs open while you are working, and notice that your PC becomes slow and unresponsive as a result, then you probably need more RAM. RAM is important for keeping your computer responsive and enabling multitasking. Basically, the more RAM your computer has, the fewer frustrating slowdowns you have to deal with. This is probably the number one upgrade if productivity is your main concern.
3. Switch From HDD to SSD
If you work on a PC but otherwise aren’t very technical, you’re probably still familiar with the term ‘hard drive’ and know that it is where your files and programs are stored. However, hard disk drives, to give them their proper name, are becoming obsolete today. Many newer PCs come with ‘solid-state’ drives instead, which are faster and quieter. Even if you have an older PC, you can buy an SSD to use with it.
4. Cut Down Your Startup Programs
When you install programs, many of them automatically add themselves to your PC’s ‘run on startup’ list. This means that as soon as you turn your computer on, they’ll either pop up on the screen or switch on in the background, even if you’re not planning to use them. This can slow things down drastically, so it’s always a good idea to check the startup programs list in your computer’s settings every so often and remove any unwanted items.
5. Keep Your Operating System Updated
Software companies are constantly tweaking their programs and systems to try and improve them for users. If they find ways to make them better, they’ll release them in periodical update packages. These are often downloaded and installed by default, but if you’ve switched this setting off, remember to install your updates regularly. Besides enhancing performance, these also help keep your computer and its contents more secure.
6. Regularly Scan for Malware
Malware, spyware, and viruses can slow your PC down, render it inoperable, or result in the theft of your saved items. None of these are good if you rely on your PC for work, yet you can significantly reduce the risk of them by simply running a scan each day, along with a larger cleanup every few weeks. There’s lots of free software you can use to do this, some of which might have come as standard with your PC.
Conclusion
If you’re having trouble with a slow PC, or just want to make sure that yours is as fast and efficient as can be, there’s no need to buy the latest, most expensive model on the market. For everyday and professional use, and even for casual gaming, a few smart upgrades should suffice to keep things running as smoothly as possible.
