Okay, so I recently decided to start upgrading friends computers, friend's familys computers, anybody who needs to work on their computer.

Now, most people who have slow computers need things like more RAM, easily done. But, I don't want to totally rip off my friends, and I'm new to all of this.

I know how to upgrade and build computers, so it's not as if I'm taking their computers and destroying them and putting unnecessary things in them.

Different situations vary, but is it worth it for me to upgrade their components for faster more efficient computers, or should I just advise them to buy a new computer?

Usually building a good gaming computer is cheaper than buying one (almost always, actually). It's almost always cheaper to build from scratch even a basic-needs computer (2gb ram, 250gb hdd, etc.)


So, should I go on with upgrading peoples computers (adding things like RAM, dvd drives if they only have CD drives... I know a lot of friends who have old, old computers), or should I just say "Buy a new one", if their computer is generally horrible and has old components.


Again, I'm new at all of this but I tinker with computers anyway and I figure why not make some good money out of it, if I can? I just don't want to *bleep* my friends over. And me doing it for much cheaper than something like geek squad is probably better right? Or them spending $600 on a new basic computer when they could pay me $300 to upgrade their RAM, CPU, add HDD space, etc. right?

It varies on their different needs. If they use their PC for basic work etc. and have decent processor but need more RAM, then put some more RAM in for them. If they have a Pentium III / IV, old Athlon etc. then it might be more helpful to tell them that they should really be thinking about buying a new PC altogether. I think my Dad had already realised when I told him it wouldn't be worth upgrading his Athlon, 1GB RAM computer. Having someone you know doing it is much better than Geek Squad etc. because it is more personal and a lot cheaper. Also, if it works out better to upgrade their RAM, CPU and HDD etc. then that would be preferable, but if it would mean buying a new motherboard and so on then it would be easier to buy a whole new computer.

It's not a matter of "easier" - It's a matter of cost-effective.

A lot of people would prefer to dump their now-slow computer and just buy a laptop. This isn't a bad idea, but if I can fix their desktops by adding ram or replacing the proccessor, wouldn't it make more sense to do that?

I can build gaming computers that would normally cost $1,200 for only $750.

Most desktops cost about $500 for basic every day pleasure, which is what most of my friends need. Not some souped up gaming computer with i7-920 overclocked proccessors and 8gb of RAM.

Their appeal from desktops is less than laptops, I would assume. But again, a basic laptop that would do the same as a desktop, costs $600 - $700.

If I could make money just saying "Hey, don't buy a new computer/laptop, just let me upgrade yours, you'll have to just buy the parts and give me a little extra money for the effort, and it will be good as new", why not?

I just need to know if it's realistic to do this, or even worth it for me and my friends, or their family's.

I'd like to make money doing this some day, I love tinkering with computers and gadgets, building computers, etc. Although I'm new at it, it's a great passion of mine. I still have a lot to learn, and I'm excited to do so. Doing this could present a great opportunity for me into a future career.

quote jagermeister

It's not a matter of "easier" - It's a matter of cost-effective.

That too.
If you know anyone that wants a gaming computer, persuading them to let you build one would be a good idea for both of you, you just need to tell them that they can save $450, and add on a service charge

quote jagermeister

If I could make money just saying "Hey, don't buy a new computer/laptop, just let me upgrade yours, you'll have to just buy the parts and give me a little extra money for the effort, and it will be good as new", why not?

I just need to know if it's realistic to do this, or even worth it for me and my friends, or their family's.

I think so. Nobody likes being told they need to spend money to buy a new computer, just like with a car. I can imagine many people would be grateful if you told them they could have a much faster computer for half the price of a new one.

the bottom line is, it is easier and more cost effective to just buy a new computer. unless the computer is up to a year old, its better to buy a new one.

you can of course, scavenge parts from older computers like the case, DVD drive, and hard drive, as long as the case is compatible with the mobo, the DVD drive is an actual DVD drive (CD drives are obsolete) and uses the SATA connection (IDE connections are old, obsolete, ugly, and block airflow), and the hard drive is not too old (hard drives fail after a few years generally, so only use it as a secondary drive).

if you like, post the specs of those computers, and we can tell you if it is better to upgrade or get a new one.

Sometimes it can be better to just buy a new computer, and I understand that. But if it's something as simple as adding/replacing RAM, rather than getting a whole new motherboard, CPU, etc. then I guess it would be worth it.

And if they did need a new one, I'm sure I could just say "I can build you a new one for $500 that would normally cost you $800", right?

So either way I could make some money off of their expense, but still help them out by not suckling every last dime out of their pockets.

that still depends. you can have all the RAM in the world, and it wont do any good for you if the RAM is slow, or other things are holding back the potential of the RAM. RAM isnt everything.

quote

And if they did need a new one, I'm sure I could just say "I can build you a new one for $500 that would normally cost you $800", right?

So either way I could make some money off of their expense, but still help them out by not suckling every last dime out of their pockets

yeah

Since I'm not very experienced with this, I plan on taking it slow at first. Learning and diagnosing problems, and finding out the best way to solve them. I know RAM doesn't fix everything, because a shitty computer with a lot of RAM is still a shitty computer. But if it's a fairly new (2 years or so) computer, and it's just running slow, adding RAM would be a pretty good solution, and usually the only solution for Laptops (as far as hardware goes).

If my friends want to make gaming computers out of their current computers, I'll basically say I can use their case and fill it with brand new stuff but it will still cost a lot.

ahh. a two year old computer could suffice with an upgrade, but it might depend on the main purpose of the computer. however, turning a regular computer into a gaming computer is out of the picture. youd need a video card upgrade, which means a psu upgrade, then a RAM upgrade for something faster, and possibly a new processor as well, which means a new mobo as well (most likely), and so by the time youre done, you might as well just get a new system altogether.

It really depends on if the current PC can be upgraded cheaper then actually buying a whole new pre-built PC and this takes some research and a couple days to get the deals or items at your price, this is what I actually did and how i got my XFX Geforce 9800GT for $60 when all other cards of the same were listed for $100+.

So if some one needs a new PC right now with not really much time to spare maybe a pre-built will do but if you want to have the ability to expand your own build PC as you go through the months or years down the road then built it your self.

define buying new ones though? my definition is getting the parts needed for a whole new computer and putting it together. stuff prebuilts.

i guess i didnt make it clear enough on where i draw the line between upgrade and new computer.

Thanks guys.

And about the "upgrading my current pc to a gaming one" - what I meant was I would just use their case and put new everything inside of it, haha.

Might as well buy a newer case, but they can cost up to $100 so spending $600 rather than $700 on a good gaming computer is a little bit better.

if youre not too stuffed about the case, then get the cheapest one which supports your motherboard form factor. if you want a proper case with good cooling and cable management, then look no further than the cooler master 922 HAF for about a hundred bucks.