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Future-Proof Your Computer
Computers have come a long way from their box-like, bulky units to become the sleek, modern screens they are today. For starters, even the computer used to send NASA’s first astronauts to the moon has been outclassed by modern smartphones when it comes to processing power.
Of course, technology continues to evolve every day, and it’s easy to get caught up in trends. But while it may be tempting to purchase every new computer or laptop model that comes out, this isn’t exactly practical. Given the rate of tech developments, it may be more cost-effective to build a computer that’s safe from becoming obsolete.
Simply put, future-proofing your computer means making sure it’s equipped with the latest tech and hardware, in the hopes that it will last you longer and require fewer upgrades — compared to replacing it with a completely new unit every few years. Granted, some PC enthusiasts advise against future-proofing your computer, as it may cause you to miss out on game-changing tech. Nonetheless, it’s an option worth exploring.
Here are some factors to consider, should you want to try future-proofing your device.
Factors to consider before future-proofing your computer
Motherboard
The motherboard basically determines your computer’s entire performance. If there’s one part of your device that’s worth investing in, it’s definitely your motherboard, and you can easily purchase these individually depending on your needs. Adorama has a selection of computer gear that includes motherboard interfaces from top brands. From Intel and ASUS, to Cubix and MSI — these components are designed to withstand heavy programs and daily use. Scrimping on a lower-end motherboard could lead to more problems down the line, such as slower processing, overheating, and frequent shutdowns. Just make sure that your motherboard is compatible with the other parts you’ll be installing, and that the chipsets provide support for the other components like RAM and GPU.
Graphics Card
If you’re into gaming, then you know that video games are the prime reason to have a powerful graphics card. Tech Radar has a list of the best open-world games available right now, which highlights how huge and detailed game worlds have become. To make the most of these games, you’ll want a graphics card that can run 4k effortlessly, especially as more video games are adopting this tech. In Forbes’ collection of the top graphics cards, the Zotac RTX 2080 Ti AMP Extreme is considered the best for 4K gaming. The Nvidia GeForce RTX 3090 is also considered the gold standard for graphics cards. However, we recommend getting the more affordable Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 instead, since the differences between the two aren’t exactly deal-breakers. It features the same ray-tracing technology as the RTX 3090. The better your graphics card, the longer your gaming computer will last before it needs to be upgraded.
CPU
As we’ve said, today’s programs (especially video games) are packed with features and require a CPU that is powerful enough to run and process everything. If your main purpose is gaming, look for a CPU with a higher clock speed, ranging from 3-4GHz. AnandTech has a comprehensive comparison report on CPUs, and makes a strong case for why the Ryzen 5 3600 is Amazon’s best-selling CPU. It is the most cost-efficient way to enjoy AMD’s latest Zen2 microarchitecture, which is single-handedly pushing the limits of performance against the likes of Intel.
If you want to learn more about computers and software, check out the Tricks & Tutorials section of our website!
