upgrading my computer

[jp_2031]

but i have no idea what i can upgrade it with, there are so many diffrent versions of ram out there i dont know whats inside my computer, and also i want a graphics card. Is there a website that supplys a test to see whats inside my computer and tell me what i can upgrade it with?

Thanks.

[vehelpfulguy]

The Crucial web site will scan your computer and tell you what memory you have, how many memory slots, and the options for upgrading.

Go to this website and select "scan my system"

http://www.crucial.com/

Make a note of the memory type it says you have and the memory options for upgrading.

You dont have to buy Crucial memory, there are loads of makes.

Note there are LOTS of different types of memory so make sure you write down exactly what type of memory the web site says you have.

After you have done the scan you can put the details here and we will help you decide your best options.

[vehelpfulguy]

Upgrading a graphics card is a very difficult thing to do. I have built and upgraded a few PCs and the choice of graphics card has been one of the most difficult.

They range in price from about �25 for a basic model to over �300 for a high end gaming card.

You really need to decide what you actually want the graphics card for and that defines the price you have to pay and the features it has.

There are a few technical decisions you need to make as well and I will cover them in my next append.

[vehelpfulguy]

Most basic PCs come with what is called "on board" graphics. This is where the graphics capability is built into the motherboard and you dont have a separate graphics card.

Most (but not all) motherboards have a slot for a graphics card (some Dell PCs have no slot for a graphics card for example so you cannot upgrade).

But there are two types of slot, one called AGP and the other called PCI Express, and a graphics card of one type will not fit into the other type.

PCs older than about a year or so will have AGP slot, newer PCs wil have PCI Express slot. You need to find out what type of slot you have. Your PC documentation may tell you.

Once you have found out your slot type you need to decide if you are going to spend �25, �300, or something in between.

If you do want a top end gaming card you need to ensure your power supply is powerful enough to drive a high end card.

You also need to find out if your PC case is big enough to take a large graphics card, and also if the fans will keep it cool enough.

So as you can see, upgrading your graphics card is not easy.