How to give a second life to an old notebook or PC: the most noticeable change, without spending more

The most important change is usually the memory where all the information on the computer is stored, that is, the “disco”. Replace the traditional hard drive (known as HDDa component with mechanical parts that rotate inside it, such as a small motor) for a solid state drive (SSDwhich has no moving parts and works in a similar way to a pendrive, but faster and with greater capacity) drastically reduces the time it takes to turn on, speeds up the opening of programs and improves the general response of the computer, both for working and studying, surfing the Internet or playing.

In recent years, the SSD they became the industry standard: Virtually all new notebooks already come with one from the factory. However, there are still millions of computers in use that have the traditional hard drive (HDD), so upgrading to an SSD is still a challenge. one of the most economical ways to give more years of useful life to a piece of equipment.

Additionally, those who already have an SSD and a compatible computer can take it a step further and upgrade to a SSD NVMean even faster variant.

Los discos SSD They store information in a type of memory called “flash”the same technology that pendrives use, but of higher quality and speed. By not having parts that rotate or move, as occurs in traditional hard drives, they allow data to be read and written much faster, consume less energy and are more resistant to shocks.

Within SSDs there are two major variants: SSD “SATA” and the SSD “NVMe”.

Los SSD SATA They connect to the computer in the same way that a traditional hard drive did, so they are compatible with the vast majority of equipment manufactured in the last decade. For those who still use a computer with a hard drive, changing it for a SATA SSD represents the most important performance improvement which can be done without touching the rest of the hardware.

Los SSD NVMeHowever, they connect in a different and more direct way to the motherboard (the central circuit of the computer), which allows them to reach much higher speeds to those of a SATA SSD.

In practice, either type significantly improves the user experience compared to a traditional hard drive. But if the computer supports the connection that NVMe SSDs use, that is usually the most recommended option for those looking for the maximum possible performance.

Not all notebooks support these types of more modern drives. Older computers generally only allow SATA SSDs to be installed, while many computers from recent years do support NVMe SSDs. Before buying, it is advisable review the manufacturer’s technical specifications or consult with a technician to confirm which type of drive is compatible with your exact computer model.

In addition to the disk, another key component is the RAM memory: is what the computer uses to work “in the moment” with open programs (unlike the disk, which saves information permanently). When RAM is low, the computer becomes slow as soon as several windows or tabs are opened at the same time. If, in addition to changing the disc, expand RAM memory, The improvement can be even greater.

Today, count on 16 GB of RAM It is a good reference point for most users: it is enough to work with several programs open at the same time, make video calls, browse with many tabs and use more demanding applications without the computer getting stuck. On computers that still have 8 GB, expanding the memory can also be very noticeable in daily use, as long as the computer allows it.

As for the discos SSDthe Argentine market offers a wide variety of brands and models, both SATA and NVMe.

Among the most economical options are Kingston NV2 and its newest version, the Kingston NV3designed for those looking to upgrade a notebook or PC without spending more. For those who need more power (for example, for video editing, graphic design, programming or video games) there are higher-end models, such as the Kingston KC3000 and the Kingston FURY Renegade.

Prices vary according to storage capacity (usually measured in GB, gigabytes, or TB, terabytes) and according to the exchange rate, since in Argentina the price of these products is tied to the dollar rate.

For reference, a 480 or 500 GB SATA SSD can be obtained approximately between $180,000 and $250,000while a 500 GB NVMe SSD is around between $180,000 and $360,000 depending on the store and payment method. At the high end, models like the Kingston KC3000 can exceed $400,000 in that same capacity.

Unlike SSD drives, RAM memory modules They are much cheaper. In the Argentine market, among the most chosen brands for notebooks are Kingston (with its Fury line), Crucial y Corsair. As a price reference: an 8 GB module can be obtained approximately between $20,000 and $30,000while a 16 GB one (the recommended option today) is around between $23,000 and $35,000.

Before purchasing RAM memory, it is essential to verify what type the computer supports (usually DDR4 in equipment from recent years) and what its maximum compatible speed is, something that also appears in the manufacturer’s specifications.

If the budget is only enough to make an upgrade, changing the traditional hard drive for an SSD is still, by far, the improvement that is most noticeable in daily use. And if the computer also allows you to expand the RAM, combining both changes can add several more years of useful life for the equipmentwithout needing to replace it completely.