Spending More

"What do I get if I spend more?"

This question comes up quite frequently when I'm speaking with customers, especially if they are considering upgrading from an older computer. I believe most people are referring to "more" performance, but that's not always the case.

As you spend more, it's wise to consider what those extra dollars are getting you. Here are just a few things spending more may get you that don't relate to sheer performance:

  • A quieter computer
  • A computer with more expansion slots
  • A computer with enterprise-grade components
  • A fancier or more robust computer case
  • A computer that can be upgraded more easily in the future
  • More RGB!

I'm sure you can come up with a dozen more, and that doesn't even cover peripherals like higher resolution monitors, mechanical keyboards, and fancy mice. The point I want to make is that spending more money doesn't always translate directly into improved performance.

I'm reminded of the time I went shopping with a friend for a new van. I have purchased a few vans over the years, and that makes me a van expert among friends. Honestly, I couldn't be more proud.

By driving a lot of vans, I did learn one thing: all the engines were the same within a model line. Take the Honda Odyssey for example. Both the $31,000 LX and the $47,000 Elite both come with the same 280 HP V6 engine. The same goes for the Toyota Sienna. Some of the higher-end models might come with remote engine start, but they all were built with the same engine.

Of course, spending more money on a van gets you more creature comforts like power seats, larger navigation screen, power doors, and an onboard vacuum cannister. But not every dealer we visited was forthcoming with the fact that each had the same engine. One tried to tie better acceleration to the more expensive model until I reminded him that all had the same engine.

I have no issues with people who spend more money on a computer or a van. Spending more money on a computer may get you improved performance. Companies like Intel, NVIDIA, and Samsung release new products throughout the year so you can count on there being something new and possibly faster if you wait. But this never ends because there's always something new around the corner.

If we've done our job and listened to what you need your computer to do, it should serve you well for years to come. By testing both the hardware and software, we understand where putting more money into a system can improve performance or not. There may be times where spending more won't improve performance until the software is updated. The key is that we are happy to answer your questions about what spending more will get you.

One last note about my van: My spouse reminds me weekly that I passed on the model with the backup camera. Next time around, she can be the expert!

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