by Seth Keipper

Created on: November 04, 2008

Any attempt to speed up a sluggish computer should make use of the triple H model. There are three basic factors for the every day user to consider. This is not a comprehensive list but average users should be able to benefit and the experts can handle further troubleshooting themseves.

The three H's are Heat, Hardware and Harmful programs.

Heat - This is one of the most common factors that can bog down any computer, no matter the specifications or quality of hardware. Think of the brain when you have a fever. It is not pretty. To mitigate heat issues you will need to take a look at the ventilation and airflow to and around your computer. If you have a cabinet or small space where the PC lives you will probably notice a good bit of heat coming from the space. Try to place the computer case in a well ventilated space, elevated from the carpet with a few inches of clearance wherever possible.

Try to avoid cramping the computer but if you are tight on space make sure that any vents on the PC have more room than non-ventilated sides. The back of the computer and (most of the time) the left side should be given space to breathe. Dust is also an important factor to consider. Buying a 5 dollar can of compressed air will do wonders for a pc that is choking on a thick layer of dust.

If you feel daring enough to open the case and move some components around be sure to be careful. If your CPU heatsink is clogged with dust and spraying alone does not get rid of it you may have to remove it for a more thorough cleaning. Be sure to consult your manual and follow electrostatic safety precautions. Also make sure the PC is turned off and unplugged before attempting anything.

Hardware - Every computer that is less than 3 years old can serve a purpose. If you skimp on hardware costs your computer will have a shorter shelflife. Likewise if you don't intend to play the latest and greatest games you don't need the latest and greatest hardware. The scope and availabilty of hardware are so wide that upgrading can be a daunting task. Here are some helpful hints towards choosing an appropriate upgrade path.

If you have a prebuilt computer (Dell, HP, or any MAC) then you should be able to google the model number and find out what upgrades you can purchase. No matter what you have there will be hundreds or thousands of other people with the exact same hardware and at least one of them will have written a blog post or article about upgrading. Some google work should turn up plenty of information.

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