Does your computer need an upgrade? It's not as uncommon as you may think. It is important, though, for your pocketbook more than anything else, to ensure that your PC actually needs an upgrade before you do anything drastic. These tips may help you know if your next computer repair job should be a PC upgrade.

One of the first ways to tell if your PC needs an upgrade is to decide if your machine is worth it. Remember that PCs don't hold their value like cars do. You can't just drop a new motor in and be good for another one hundred thousand miles. If it's three or more years old, you're probably going to be better off investing in a new computer than upgrading. At the same time, though, there are lots of things you can do for less than eighty bucks that may make the time and money well spent on any good PC.

If you feel like your computer is slower than it used to be, you might want to consider upgrading your RAM. Short for Random Access Memory, this component allows you to retrieve and run programs quickly. You need 256MB to run almost anything these days, and if you're a serious user, 512MB is really going to make a difference. If you're working with lots of videos and graphics programs, you want at least a gig (1024MB). The good news, though, is that memory is cheap and installing is easy. It's certainly worth your upgrading while.

If you're into gaming, and your system is a good one, consider upgrading your video card. You'll get a better graphical interface, and you don't have to spend that much to play the best games on the market today. Moreover, there are lots of games you can't play without an updated card, so it's a good investment. This is a fairly easy install, it's only a matter of a couple of screws, and as long as your motherboard can handle the new card, you'll be good to go in no time.

Upgrading your hard drive is almost a given. You'll know you need to upgrade when you don't have space to install anything else and you keep crashing because your virtual memory disappeared a month ago , and whether it's the digital photos from Christmas or your overflowing iTunes folder, you may want a bit of extra space. Again, this is a fairly cheap upgrade, and the install is pretty basic. The bigger, the better.

A PC upgrade is a great computer repair project, but be sure it's worth the money you'll be dropping.