 Price
and performance ratings on PCs have improved dramatically over the last few years.
High-performance desktop PCs are more affordable than ever. But even as processors
get faster, and system buses gets wider, an old tip still applies: Memory upgrades
often provide the best return on investment.
Inadequate memory is one of
the leading factors limiting PC performance. Fortunately, memory technology has
improved dramatically, first with the switch to DDR-type memory, and then with
DDR's evolution from the PC2100 configuration to the more advanced PC2700 and
PC3200 setups. Many existing and all new HP
Compaq Business Desktop models support dual-channel DDR memory configurations,
so upgrading may be more rewarding--and less expensive--than you think.
 | Dual-channel
memory helps solve a traditional bottleneck in PCs. Imagine a four-lane freeway
suddenly narrowing to one lane, and the resulting traffic snarl. That's what can
happen when a 2-Ghz processor is firing data to the memory through a 500-Mhz system
bus. Taking advantage of the dual-channel memory capability already on most HP
desktops can be like adding another lane. | Performance
tests by HP have found that dual-channel memory on Intel-based HP desktops outperforms
single-channel configurations. That improvement can range from 10 percent for
most business applications to 70 percent for more memory-intensive applications,
such as financial, modeling, and graphics.
HP aggressively tests and qualifies
the design and manufacturing processes of memory suppliers. This entails testing
memory modules on every desktop model that HP ships, monitoring test suites run
by manufacturers, and re-qualifying memory modules each time HP releases a new
processor speed or platform.
This commitment to certifying memory results
in an industry-best, three-year pre-failure warranty on HP
memory. The corresponding reduction in system downtime and data loss results in
strong ROI, and the convenience of a single supplier reduces "vendor fatigue."
Every HP-branded memory module has passed
an extensive series of tests to ensure its quality and reliability, something
no other PC manufacturer can boast.
Memory isn't always the answer, and
it's important to know how to figure out when it's the right option. International
Data Corporation (IDC) advises companies of all sizes to replace desktop PCs every
3 to 4 years, or to replace between 25 and 33 percent of their PC inventory every
year.
| Under IDC's model, the sweet spot for a memory upgrade is for
PCs between 18 months and two years in age. But the upgrade decision may have
more to do with what's under the hood of your PC. PC66-type SDRAM used to be common
in corporate desktops, but that memory was rated at 528 Megabytes per second,
compared to 3200 Megabytes per second for today's DDR400 type. Think twice about
upgrading slow SDRAM. |  | HP
agrees with IDC's advice to resist upgrading systems older than three years, especially
systems with components that are no longer under warranty. Many existing HP
Compaq Business Desktop models support single- and dual-channel memory configurations,
and new systems promise a very rewarding upgrade path in years to come.
Find
out more about how memory upgrades for HP
desktops can boost productivity - affordably. |
