After reading this chapter, you should be able to answer the following questions:
- How can I determine whether I should upgrade my existing computer or buy a new
one? (pp. 268–272)
- What does the CPU do, and how can I evaluate its performance? (pp. 272–276)
- How does memory work in my computer, and how can I evaluate how much memory
I need? (pp. 276–279)
- What are the computer’s main storage devices, and how can I evaluate whether they
match my needs? (pp. 279–286)
- What components affect the output of video on my computer, and how can I evaluate
whether they match my needs? (pp. 286–290)
- What components affect my computer’s sound quality, and how can I evaluate
whether they match my needs? (pp. 290–291)
- How can I improve the reliability of my system? (pp. 291–294)